The U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) is currently facing a scandal involving the improper processing of veterans disability claims, which in turn led to a massive backlog that left many former service members struggling to receive the medical care and benefits they desperately are in need of. Now, one lawmaker is calling for the Philadelphia VA office to be investigated for manipulating Pennsylvania veterans’ disability benefit claims.

Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick alleges the employees at the Philadelphia VA office destroyed paperwork and mail for financial gain. He went on to claim that dates on disability documents were also altered.

According to The Newtown Patch, Fitzpatrick explained the bonuses of VA Executives and employees were directly tied to the processing of disability claims. By changing the dates and shredding mail that came in, the VA was able to manipulate claims processing data in their favor. This led to some VA employees receiving bonuses of more than $2,000.

Fitzpatrick was part of a congressional committee that questioned VA officials and has since penned a letter to federal authorities asking them to investigate his claims of wrongdoing.

At Lundy Law, our team of Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers knows how badly many veterans are in need of assistance and are hopeful the investigations of the VA that are taking place are effective in giving veterans better access to the benefits they are entitled to.