Posted on 10/18/2008 8:14:21 AM PDT by Right Winged American
UPDATE: VA'S REGIONAL OFFICES IN TURMOIL AS MANAGERS SEARCH FOR "MISHANDLED" PAPERWORK
VARO management teams to spend weekend "dumpster diving" -- VAOIG looks to expand investigation -- Congress briefed, may investigate possible criminal intent.
by Larry Scott
The shredder story from the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) continues to grow.
The VA's Office of Inspector General (VAOIG) found documents pertinent to veterans' claims in shredder bins at the Detroit Regional Office (VARO). And, the VAOIG has been investigating a number of VAROs for "timeliness" issues regarding paperwork.
Yesterday, VACO (VA Central Office) and VBA (Veterans' Benefits Administration) put out a press release admitting problems and outlining action to be taken. That press release is here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/08/vap08/vap101608-1.htm
VA Watchdog dot Org has learned that VARO management teams will spend the weekend, if necessary, "dumpster diving" at their offices to find "every" piece of "mishandled" paperwork. This would include going through desks, closets, storage areas or anyplace a document could be stored or hidden. They must report their findings to VACO by Monday morning (Oct. 20, 2008).
It is expected that there will be problems at every VARO. One source has stated that if any VARO claims they are "clean" when it comes to handling documents, this will raise immediate suspicion of the operation.
VAOIG is now considering broadening the scope of their "timeliness" investigation. What started as a "routine" investigation is now out of hand and VAOIG may look at "mail handling" procedures at many more, if not all, VAROs.
Those close to this matter are waiting for the "other shoe to drop," as it was told to me. Many feel this is just the beginning of major problems for VBA and their paperwork-handling procedures.
And, now, Congress is involved. I have been told: "VA briefed House and Senate committee staff, and anticipates pressure for full, deeper investigation from Congress, which may call for investigation of possible criminal intent, not just 'oops, my bad' and be done with it."
While there has been very little reaction from Congress at this time, you can expect a firestorm of investigation before too long.
And, a personal note: In the VA's conference call Thursday (Oct. 16, 2008) with leaders of the veterans' service organizations, VA Watchdog dot Org was blasted by VA brass for breaking the shredder story. It appears VA feels this is a "small" problem that can be handled internally without press coverage.
My only comment on that would be: If this is a small problem, why is VA taking such major action to resolve it?
This is not a small problem. This is a HUGE problem.
You can expect the "other shoe to drop," and when it does, veterans are not going to like the results.
Original story and follow-ups...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/08/nf08/nfoct08/nf101308-1.htm
http://www.vawatchdog.org/08/nf08/nfoct08/nf101408-3.htm
http://www.vawatchdog.org/08/nf08/nfoct08/nf101508-1.htm
http://www.vawatchdog.org/08/nf08/nfoct08/nf101708-3.htm
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NOTE: THIS SERIES OF STORIES APPLIES TO ALL VETERANS OF ALL SERVICES.
If you have or had a claim submitted to the VA for anything this may have happened to you.
HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IF IT HAS?
GOOD QUESTION.
Are we having fun yet!?!
Is this how Obamination supporters working in VA offices handle VA claims now?
There’ll be a purge of GS workers by December over this....and alot of openings for new administrative folks.
It took me & my family over 7 years to get my 100% disability rating for my head injury & rod in my leg [which they forgot about]. After I went off on a clerk in the Det. office, I was banned & put on the domestic terror watch list. Of course it did not help when I told the clerk there I was tempted to turn the building into a smoldering crater ;>) !
I work for a VA, I don’t handle any patient materials, but I can pretty much tell you what happens to a lot of VA stuff. It’s not upper management, believe me, most of those folks really do care about the vet’s. It’s the lazy, union protected GS 5 - 9’s that are suppoosed to be processing this stuff that pitch it so they don’t have to work. Ang yes, most of one’s I know are Obama supporters.
When I left the service and entered college, it took the VA more than a year to cut my first VEAP check.
Compared to you, I guess I was on the fast track. ;)
Geez, forgive my spelling. I’m trying to clean and type at the same time.
and, for what’s it’s worth, I’m a GS-6.
your post speaks volumns. Yes, the union members who are deomcrats are famous for doing things like this. Since I retired from ATT, and am now a consultant teaching technicians, the worst are the democrat union members. They want something for nothing, and constantly blame Bush in the classroom. i have to remind them all the time to be on time, to come back to class after breaks, and to wear the proper footwear in the classroom. They always push the rules and call the company managers fascists, because management makes them do what they are paid to do
From your keyboard to some McCain campaign policy wonk's ears.
I mean, do we have to draw them a PICTURE?
Sigh ...
oh dear
The VA’s been a mess ever since it’s creation in 1919, with its first director, Colonel Charles Forbes, being carted off to Fort Leavenworth federal prison for corruption, stealing, and bribery. Nothing has changed in the 90 years since.
And left unsaid, I suppose, is that these individuals are affirmative action hires.
It seems as if this story will hurt Republicans. Remember, the buck stops with the president.
As a federal employee, the Hatch act prohibits election materials in the workplace and I am fine with that. Imagine my suprise when I recieved a mailing with the Union president and Obama fist bumping on the front cover. I also received requests for voluntering my time for the campaign...if it was for Obama. I find it real offensive that I can’t wear my McCain pin at work, but have to have this crap infesting my mail box...and on my dime as a union member (only because we had an insane manager, she’s gone now and so is my membership).
Yes.
They make exceptions for “The one”
Have you heard about this at work yet? Check some of the comments on WatchDog, we've already had some whiners from the VA post complaints about these stories.
Present company excepted—but the VA has to have some of the most arrogant fools ...
Never mind.
I suspect the loose screws are gonna get tightened shortly; some unpleasant individuals from the GAO may be arriving with really large screwdrivers. Or maybe nut-drivers.
On the other hand, you can bet the farm that this'll slow down claims processing even more!
Oh, well ...
I used to sell Real Estate in Michigan in the 80s. When you were putting together a VA deal you never wanted to call them. I did once and was told in matter of fact language that if I bugged them again my file would be put to the bottome of the stack. They have not given a DAMN for the 30 years I have been involved with them. FIRE ‘EM ALL!
I heard about this at work yesterday. I absolutely believe it because I’ve seen it. I think the feds need to institute pay for preformance for every agency and if the preformance is poor, the individual needs to be re-assigned to a more appropriate position or terminated. I came from private sector and gov’t folks get passes on things that would have gotton them fired in the non-fed world. Again, thanks to the union.
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