Durbin and Obama Statement Regarding Inspector General's Report

DURBIN AND OBAMA STATEMENT REGARDING INSPECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT ON VETERAN DISABILITY BENEFIT DISPARITIES

- U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today made the following statement regarding the release of a report by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General on disparities in disability payments to Illinois veterans:

"Today's report by the Office of the Inspector General moves us closer to understanding why Illinois veterans have been receiving far lower average disability benefits than veterans in other states, but here is much work to be done to guarantee Illinois veterans are treated fairly. The fact that Illinois ranked dead last in VA disability compensation for twenty years is disgraceful. Every veteran who feels he or she was treated unfairly during that period should have their case re-evaluated and the VA should work overtime to help them receive their fair compensation."

"The report makes it clear that the VA regional offices do not have enough staff and their disability ratings specialists are overwhelmed by pressures to process claims quickly. But the faster they work, the less likely veterans are to receive fair compensation. The VA must do more to correct high turnover rates among ratings specialists in their regional offices, and especially in the Chicago Regional Office. We urge Secretary Nicholson to focus significant attention to improved training and retention for VA ratings specialists."

"The report shows that veterans who receive assistance in preparing their disability claims from a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) are more likely to be fully compensated for their disability - receiving an average $6,225 more than veterans who do not work with a VSO. We strongly encourage the VA to expand and improve the outreach of Veterans Service Organizations in Illinois, requesting additional funding if necessary."

"It is clear that the VA relies on a disability ratings system created in 1945 that must be reviewed. There is no excuse for the VA to continue to rely on methods developed during World War II when determining disability claims."

"This report places a strong emphasis on cases of fraud and overpayment of disability claims. We agree that fraud and abuse must not be tolerated, but we urge the Department of Veterans Affairs to do more to ensure that cases where benefits are being underpaid receive the same or greater attention and leadership from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs."

"We look forward to hosting Secretary Nicholson in Chicago tomorrow for a town hall meeting with Illinois veterans. We hope it will be a positive opportunity for our veterans to make their voices heard and learn first hand what steps the VA will be taking to correct these benefit disparities."

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=237957&&