Letter to The Honorable Eric Shinseki, Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Webb Calls on Veterans Affairs Department to Examine Reports of Misrepresentation of Military Service
Letter Asks for Immediate Action to Root out Fraud and Abuse in VA System
Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) today asked Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to "immediately and proactively" examine recurring allegations of misrepresentation of military service that may have resulted in the awarding of unearned veterans benefits and false recognition for service. This correspondence reiterates concerns laid out in a July 7 letter by Senators Webb and Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
Webb, a former Marine Officer and highly decorated Vietnam veteran, said he was "increasingly concerned" by numerous media reports of investigations and studies focusing on fraudulent practices resulting in widespread abuses.
"These allegations have been made in many forums, frequently by individuals whose integrity and respect for service cannot be questioned. I have no way at present to measure their validity, particularly as it relates to the conduct of your Department. But since they go to the very core of military service, I believe they should be examined immediately and proactively, with oversight at the top levels of the Department of Veterans Affairs," wrote Webb.
Cited in the Senator's letter were numerous allegations of fraudulent POW disability claims; the honoring of fraudulent or exaggerated service claims; fraudulent claims for various combat decorations, awards and campaign ribbons; lax security of pertinent records at VA Regional Offices; inadequate vetting of claimant documentation and official statements; and claimants directly or indirectly altering or registering fraudulent service claims in their official records.
Senator Webb's letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki follows.
July 13, 2009
The Honorable Eric Shinseki
Secretary
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, N. W.
Washington, DC 20420
Dear Secretary Shinseki:
On July 7, 2009, Senator Akaka and I sent a letter to you and Secretary of Defense Gates, seeking clarification on allegations of numerous fraudulent POW disability claims, and an apparent disparity between your department's list of POWs and the official POW registry maintained by the Department of Defense.
In addition, I have become increasingly concerned by media reports, recurring studies and continuing investigations that focus on the broader issue of misrepresentation of military service, in many cases causing unearned veterans benefits to be provided and in others giving false recognition for service in a manner that detracts from the actual sacrifices that so many have made on behalf of our country. Among the issues, findings and allegations:
Fraudulent or exaggerated service claims resulting in the awarding of pensions, disability compensation, and other benefits;
Fraudulent claims for various combat decorations, awards and campaign ribbons;
Lax security of pertinent records at VA Regional Offices;
Lax vetting of claimant documentation and official statements; and,
Claimants directly or indirectly altering or registering fraudulent service claims in their official records.
These allegations have been made in many forums, frequently by individuals whose integrity and respect for service cannot be questioned. I have no way at present to measure their validity, particularly as it relates to the conduct of your Department. But since they go to the very core of military service, I believe they should be examined immediately and proactively, with oversight at the top levels of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
I would further ask that members of my staff be comprehensively briefed as soon as possible by VA officials regarding this issue and the measures that are being taken by the Department to combat it. I may participate in this briefing, or follow-on briefings, as well.
Sincerely,
Jim Webb, United States Senator