Lawmakers Criticize VA for Failures in Disability Benefits System

A recent oversight hearing by the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee has revealed significant failures within the system that manages medical exams for veterans seeking disability benefits. Lawmakers expressed concern over numerous constituent complaints highlighting issues such as incorrect exams, inadequate testing environments, and poor accessibility for veterans with disabilities.

During the hearing titled “Improving Outcomes for Disabled Veterans: Oversight of VA’s Medical Disability Examination Office,” representatives discussed the troubling state of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) disability benefits process. Over 90 percent of medical exams are contracted out to private companies under a multibillion-dollar program, which lawmakers argue is fraught with inefficiencies.

Morgan Luttrell, the Republican subcommittee chair from Texas, emphasized that mistakes in the examination process can prevent veterans from receiving the benefits they rightfully earned. He noted, “If an exam is wrong, incomplete, inaccurate, or delayed, the veteran might not receive the benefits they earned from their service.” Luttrell highlighted the significant backlog, stating, “VA has relied heavily on its own clinicians at VA medical centers to perform these exams,” but this has changed as the workload has transitioned to four major external firms with a budget ceiling of $13 billion.

The subcommittee received testimony from Elizabeth Curda of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), who pointed out that the VA’s medical disability exam office had overpaid private contractors by nearly $2.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. Curda attributed these overpayments to deficiencies in incentive calculations and a lack of proper quality checks.

Concerns were raised about the conditions under which some exams are conducted. Representative John Morgan McGarvey from Kentucky shared troubling reports from veterans whose exams took place in hotel rooms instead of appropriate medical facilities. “I’ve heard from veterans whose disability medical exams were conducted in hotel rooms and not at a medical office,” he stated, emphasizing the need for proper examination environments.

Responding to these criticisms, Mary Glenn, deputy executive director of the VA’s Medical Disability Examination Office, acknowledged the issues raised. She assured lawmakers that the VA has tightened its requirements for examination spaces and is committed to ensuring veterans feel safe and accommodated during their assessments. “We want our veterans to feel safe and accommodated when they go to these exams,” she said.

The hearing highlighted broader concerns about the quality of the examinations. Luttrell pointed out that, according to a recent GAO report, millions of dollars had been awarded to contractors who failed to meet performance standards. Lawmakers are determined to ensure that oversight measures are in place to prevent further lapses.

In conclusion, members of Congress pledged to maintain rigorous oversight of the VA’s disability examination process. Luttrell made it clear that he expects ongoing improvements: “We will never let that be enough, and it will never be perfect. But we will not stop fighting for perfection because of those that we are responsible for taking care of.”

This commitment to accountability reflects a growing recognition of the urgent need to support veterans effectively, especially as over 6 million U.S. veterans rely on disability benefits for service-connected injuries and illnesses. As the situation develops, lawmakers are expected to continue scrutinizing the VA’s practices and advocating for the rights of those who have served.