Pedro Valdez , a Vietnam veteran , wanted help . And he knew where to get it -- through the Phoenix VA -- or so he thought . Again and again , starting in December 2012 , Valdez would try to schedule with -- and would even show up to see -- doctors at Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities in Arizona about his shortness of breath , according to his daughter . He thought he had gotten confirmed appointments ; even toting cards with a specific date and time . `` He 'd have the card in hand , go to check in , and they 'd tell him , 'Mr . Valdez , you do n't have an appointment in the computer . We have no idea what you 're talking about , '' his daughter Priscella Valdez told CNN . In October 2013 , Pedro Valdez showed up at his daughter 's house after going in for another appointment that never happened . His daughter set out then to make sure Valdez had a firm time in the VA computers , not just written down on a card . The next available slot he could get , after all that effort , was in three months , on January 6 , 2014 , according to his daughter . Pedro Valdez never made it . On New Year 's Eve 2013 , he struggled for breath and was rushed to a private hospital . Valdez was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure ; `` he was only breathing at 50 % , '' according to his daughter . The next day , he was in intensive care . And six days later -- on January 7 , a day after he was to finally see a doctor at the Phoenix VA -- he was dead . He was 66 . Priscella Valdez remembers her dad as a man who `` made it out of a gruesome , gruesome , gruesome war , '' who dutifully worked in construction , who raised three children on his own and who never put himself first . More than anything , she remembers him as her `` best friend . '' She believes that the system that was supposed to care for him -- a man who 'd risked his life for his country -- instead let him down . `` They took a man and broke him down and kicked him when he was down , when he needed them , '' Priscella Valdez said . `` ... These people who were supposed to take care of him are able to live freely . '' The Valdez family is not the first to levy accusations against the federal agency charged with overseeing health care and benefits of veterans and their dependents . CNN first reported six months ago about allegations of alarming shortcomings within the VA medical care system that , according to the VA , led to 23 deaths . The VA 's troubled history . The allegations include the possible destruction of a secret waiting list for care at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System . There have also been claims of delayed care and cooked books at VA facilities nationwide . The VA did not respond to a CNN request for a response to the Valdez family 's specific allegation . And because of privacy laws , it is hard to know if Pedro Valdez was on anyone 's list at the Phoenix VA , secret or not . Phoenix officials deny there 's a secret wait list . The VA 's Office of the Inspector General is now investigating these various allegations at 26 VA facilities , and there have been hearings on Capitol Hill . Priscella Valdez has been among those speaking up ; CNN first learned of her family 's story after she appeared at a forum in Phoenix featuring Sen. John McCain in the wake of the scandal . Much of the focus has been on the VA 's management back in Washington , including calls for Secretary Eric Shinseki to be fired . Yet Priscella Valdez says no one looking into this matter can fully comprehend the frustration and the torment experienced by families like hers , who just want their loved ones looked after in a fair , responsible , humane way . `` I do n't think anybody clearly understands what 's going on , '' she says , `` unless you actually lived it and you 're going through it . '' VA investigating Florida hospital wait lists .
Pedro Valdez repeatedly tried , failed to get appointments with Phoenix VA , his daughter says . He ended up being hospitalized before seeing a VA doctor ; he died in January . The VA has n't responded to this specific claim , but is looking into general allegations . Valdez 's daughter : The VA `` kicked him when he was down , when he needed them ''