David Shulkin: “I find it really difficult to tell people who have submitted into the appeals process that they have 6 years to wait on…”

I came to Washington with the commitment to make our system work better for veterans. That's the commitment that I went to work every day. I continue to feel strongly about that. There was no reason why I would resign.

Slowing down and pausing to see what the consequences are, even if they are unintended consequences, is important to do.

This is a tough job for anybody to do. What the successful secretary needs to do is to build a team around them because this is bigger than any one person, and to work very collaboratively with veteran service organizations and Congress.

I think the way the findings were used -- were used in a political way. Not by the inspector general, but by the political appointees within V.A.