WQAD: Iowa Veteran Takes His Life After VA Has Him Wait for Treatment

WQAD: Iowa Veteran Takes His Life After VA Has Him Wait for Treatment (WQAD)

JOHNSTON, Iowa — He was a son, a father, a boyfriend and a veteran. After serving two tours in Iraq as a combat engineer, 32-year-old Curtis Gearhart found love and friendships. What he didn't find was timely help from the V.A., reports WHO.

Gearhart took his own life on Monday, Nov. 7.

He had sought help from the V.A. nearly two months ago after experiencing recurring headaches.

"He previously had a tumor. He was worried about it and they told him it would be five to six weeks," Gearhart's girlfriend Valesca Steffens told WHO. "They send these soldiers over so young to fight these wars and then they don't live up to their promises of taking care of them when they come home."