Some Veterans' Paperwork May Be Destroyed: VA Tightens Protections for Veterans Paperwork

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake promised to take quick action after documents relating to veterans' compensation applications were found in documents to be shredded. The documents had not been copied and could have affected some veterans' eligibility for compensation.

Peake said,“I insist on the highest possible standards for processing and safeguarding information in VA’s custody....It is unacceptable that documents important to a veteran’s claim for benefits should be misplaced or destroyed.”

The Inspector General's office is investigating, and anyone who violated Department policy on protecting documents will be held accountable. The documents were found during an audit at three of VA’s 56 regional benefits offices, which process applications for disability pay, VA pensions, educational assistance, home loans and similar financial benefits. The documents were returned to the proper offices for processing.

All document shredding by all of the VA regional offices has been suspended by Patrick W. Dunne, VA’s Under Secretary for Benefits. The IG and VA officials are trying to determine whether the problem is greater than just the regional offices.

The originals of veterans' important paperwork are returned to the veterans or families after the paperwork is no longer needed. Duplicate copies of paperwork no longer needed are appropriately destroyed to protect the privacy of veterans and their families.

This could mean that many veterans who recently applied for benefits should seek an appeal of a denial of compensation or a partial denial. Veterans seeking compensation should also maintain a copy of any paperwork sent in connection with their claim for compensation. For extra assurance, send the paperwork by certified mail, return-receipt requested. A veteran may also contact the regional office to request a copy of your claim file. Again, it is clear that any veteran who believes that an examiner failed to consider some important paperwork submitted should check to determine that the paperwork is even located in their claim file.

The location of the affected regional office has not been disclosed.