Congressional Hearing to Examine Gulf War Veterans' Claims Denials by VA

SOURCE:  House Veterans' Affairs Committee Press Release, March 14, 2016



ARCHIVED TEXT:

HVAC to Examine VA’S Gulf War Illness Disability Claims Process

WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. in room 334 of the Cannon House Office Building, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittees on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and Oversight and Investigations will hold an oversight hearing examining VA’s disability claims process for veterans afflicted with Gulf War Illness (GWI).

VA’s own data reveals that at least 80% of Gulf War Illness claims are denied.  The data is specific to undiagnosed illnesses and chronic multisymptom illnesses – both presumptive conditions under current regulation. This data reveals apparent problems in VA’s interpretation of the law with regard to claims processing.  

The purpose of this hearing is to evaluate VA’s disability claims process with respect to veterans suffering from Gulf War Illness.

The following event is open to the press:

WHO: Subcommittees on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and Oversight and Investigations

WHAT: “Twenty Five Years After the Persian Gulf War: An Assessment of VA’s Disability Claim Process with Respect to Gulf War Illness”

WHEN: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 15, 2016

WHERE: 334 Cannon House Office Building and streaming at veterans.house.gov

WITNESS LIST

Mr. David R. McLenachen

Deputy Under Secretary for Disability Assistance

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Accompanied by

Mr. Bradley Flohr

Senior Advisor, Compensation Service

Veterans Benefits Administration

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Mr. Zachary Hearn

Deputy Director for Claims

Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation Division

The American Legion

Mr. Aleksandr Morosky

Deputy Director, National Legislative Service

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Mr. Rick Weidman

Executive Director for Policy and Government Affairs

Vietnam Veterans of America

Mr. Richard V. Spataro

Director of Training and Publications

National Veterans Legal Services Program

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