Is It True the VA had Issues with Traumatic Brain Injury Benefits?

Certain VA clinics created "issues" for veterans seeking benefits.

America would be nothing without our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.

These brave men and women serve our country to defend our freedom and the rights of those who cannot defend themselves.

Unfortunately, they do not always receive the help they need after returning from deployment.

According to a report in The Military Times, titled “VA doubling back to resolve TBI claims denials,” unqualified VA physicians diagnosed 24,000 veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) between 2007 and 2015, leading to denial of disability benefits.

How did this issue come to light?

A Minneapolis television station uncovered the issue after investigating at a local VA Medical Center.

The findings?

Up to 300 veterans from this clinic alone were denied benefits.

The reason?

Only one of the 21 individuals who conducted the TBI exams was a qualified specialist.

To be a qualified specialist, an individual must be a psychiatrist, physiatrist, neurologist or a neurosurgeon.

What is being done?

Veterans’ Affairs is sending letters to the more than 24,000 effected troops, inviting them to reschedule for another exam.

Although a Congressional Committee is investigating how this happened, they are not yet certain how such a significant oversight occurred.

It is a shame this happened.

Hopefully, this is a lesson for the future, and it never happens again.

Remember: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When making your financial, tax and estate plans, do not go it alone. Be sure to engage competent professional counsel.

For more information about estate planning in Overland Park, KS (and throughout the rest of Kansas and Missouri), visit our estate planning website and be sure to subscribe to our complimentary estate planning e-newsletter while you are there.

Reference: Military Times (July 14, 2016) “VA doubling back to resolve TBI claims denials”