House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Statement of the Honorable Steve Buyer Ranking Republican Member House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

For more information, contact: Brian Lawrence, (202) 225-3527

The revelation by the Office of the Inspector General that important veterans’ claims documents were found in shredding bins in 72% of VA regional offices is stunning and deeply troubling.

The VA’s disability benefits system, which was already in critical condition due to its inability to process claims within a time period that’s reasonable and fair to veterans, now has another embarrassing situation to deal with.

It is all the more frustrating when it is obvious that a paperless electronic claims system for veterans would alleviate so many problems, including this one. But the Veterans Benefits Administration has dragged its feet for years in developing this new system.

I am aware that Secretary Peake is now moving VA in that direction as quickly as possible, but I hope that this latest problem has convinced every manager from the top down, that this transition to an electronic system needs to happen post-haste.

When I first heard of the problem, I was encouraged that an immediate Inspector General investigation of this issue was underway to find out exactly how this has happened and to establish accountability.

This Committee’s oversight of the issue is of no less importance, and I wish that Chairman Filner had decided to re-schedule this discussion to November 18, 2008, as I requested last week, because many members, myself included, must attend leadership elections today. 

I look forward to Chairman Filner scheduling a full Committee hearing after the Inspector General has completed his investigation.