Chaffetz concerned over VA Inspector General findings in Salt Lake City

Urges Salt Lake City VA to Implement Recommendations
Oct 8, 2014

Today, Rep. Jason Chaffetz released the following statement concerning the release of the OIG report inspecting the Salt Lake City Regional Office of the VA.

"Our nation's veterans deserve the very best care and treatment from the VA. Unfortunately, the VA System has not performed to the standard that veterans deserve and all Americans expect. The latest IG Report shows that challenges persist. Our local VA facility is not immune to systemic flaws. I am pleased that Congress was able to enact bipartisan reforms just two months ago that will help the VA get back on track. I am confident that the Congressional reforms and IG recommendations will assist the Salt Lake City Regional Office in delivering world-class care and treatment that our Utah veterans deserve."

Background

IG Report

On October 8, 2014, the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General released report 14-01688-303, an Inspection of the Salt Lake City Regional Office. A copy of the full report can be found here: http://www.va.gov/oig/pubs/VAOIG-14-01688-303.pdf. In the report, investigators and auditors reviewed the Salt Lake City division of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). The VBA primarily processes disability claims but also provides a range of other valuable services for veterans. A summary of the report's finding are included below:

  • Staff did not accurately process 15 of 68 disability claims reviewed.
  • 12 of the 30 temporary 100 percent disability evaluations were inaccurate.
  • Staff delayed ordering medical reexaminations on average for 5 months after receiving reminder notifications, which primarily fueled disability evaluation inaccuracies
  • New implementation plans are needed to process the remaining 135 100% disability applications.

Congressional Action

On July 30, 2014, the United States House of Representatives passed the Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act. The bill, later signed into law by President Obama, boosted resources for the Department of Veterans Affairs, expanded access to care for veterans, and gave VA leaders needed tools to clean-up waste, fraud, and abuse within the Department.

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