WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – today announced the committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday, October 29th, with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General and veterans service organization representatives to examine the VA’s disability compensation process and address recent reporting from The Washington Post on VA’s disability program. More details on the hearing will be announced at a later date.

“Millions of veterans depend on disability compensation from VA to help them cope with serious health conditions they experienced while serving our country,” said Sen. Moran. “I continue to hear from these veterans about how difficult it is to navigate the complex and time-consuming disability compensation process to receive the benefits they are owed. Making the system work better and faster for these veterans should be a top priority. During this hearing, the committee will hear from veterans about how VA’s disability system is, or is not, working to deliver benefits accurately and quickly to veterans, dependents and survivors. I also look forward to hearing from VA Inspector General Mason about safeguards to protect the integrity of the disability benefits process from anyone who may seek to take advantage of it.”

The Washington Post recently published articles on cases of VA service-connection disability compensation being “exploited”, which prompted responses from veterans and veteran service organizations. 

“While VA has made progress in recent years reducing the claims backlog, far too many veterans still experience delays and a confusing application process,” said Joy J. Ilem, National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans. “Worse, there are some people spreading false and misleading characterizations about disabled veterans or seeking to roll back their earned benefits. We are pleased that Chairman Moran will be holding a hearing to explore ways to make the claims system more accurate, transparent and fair—while safeguarding against fraud. We appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight on disability compensation as well as share our recommendations for strengthening this and other vital benefit programs.”

# # #