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VA accused of shredding documents needed for veterans’ claims

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VA accused of shredding documents needed for veterans’ claims

(18 April 2016) The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has been systematically shredding
documents related to veterans’ claims — possibly affecting benefits for veterans, according to
an investigation by the inspector general.

Investigators with the Department of Veterans Affairs audited 10 vererans benefits offices
around the country and found that staff were destroying mail related to claims, according to a
report by Military.com, citing an OIG report released on Thursday.

The surprise audit, which was conducted at the offices on July 20, 2015, came after reports of
such document shredding in Los Angeles, the website reported.

Investigators reportedly sifted through some 438,000 documents awaiting destruction at the
regional offices. Of 155 claims-related documents, 69 were found to have been incorrectly
placed in shred bins at six of the regional offices, according to Military.com.

Those offices were in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New Orleans, Philadelphia and Reno, Nev. At
least two of the 69 documents headed to the shredder directly affected benefits and nine had
the potential to, according to the website.

The OIG report concluded that, “The potential effect should not be minimized.”

“Considering that there are 56 [VA regional offices], and if weekly shredding is conducted, it is
highly likely that claims-related documents at other VAROs are being improperly scheduled for
destruction that could result in loss of claims and evidence, incorrect decisions and delays in
claims processing,” the report said.