The issues plaguing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care centers around the country seem to be staying out of Butler’s campus.

The VA’s inspector general on Wednesday identified 1,700 veterans awaiting medical care at the Phoenix, Ariz., VA hospital but who are not on an official waiting list. Veterans listed had an average wait of 115 days for a first appointment.

VA Butler Healthcare director John Gennaro said in a statement that there is no delay in enrolling veterans at the Butler facility.

“Our dedicated staff make every effort to ensure veterans’ needs are addressed in a timely manner,” the statement said. “VA Butler has the resources and capacity to immediately enroll any eligible veteran needing VA care.”

Gennaro said in the statement that it is the VA’s responsibility to provide care to its patients.

“It is our obligation to ensure our veterans receive timely access to the quality care we provide and they have earned,” he said.

VA Butler Healthcare serves more than 18,000 veterans annually at its facility in Butler and its outpatient clinics in Armstrong, Clarion, Lawrence and Mercer counties, and Cranberry Township.

John Prichard, the District 26 Commander for the American Legion, said he does not believe there is a problem with delays in Butler County.

“From my own experience, and by talking with veterans, the waits don’t seem to be as acute here as in other parts of the country,” he said. “But realize there are more than 15,000 veterans in Butler County, and I haven’t spoken with all of them.”

District 26 of the American Legion covers 25 posts in Butler, Beaver, and Lawrence counties.

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd, said he isn’t aware of any problems with the facility in Butler.

“I’ve heard nothing but positive input about it,” he said. “I hope people don’t paint all the VA centers with the same brush.”