Walz Works to Hold VA Accountable on TBI

Press Release

Today, in a House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing, Representative Tim Walz pressed the VA to ensure that veterans get the benefits they earned and the care they may need.

"I want to ensure that every veteran who received a traumatic brain injury exam from an unqualified doctor gets in for another exam to make sure they are getting the benefits they earned. This shouldn't have happened, and I am frustrated that it did, but now I want to focus on making it right. I am thankful the VA proactively worked to identify the veterans who received improper exams. If we don't do right by one veteran in this case, it's one too many," said Walz.

Last year, the VA and KARE 11 TV identified veterans had received exams to determine benefits from doctors unqualified to perform traumatic brain injury exams. Walz called for a nationwide investigation into the issue and asked the VA to address the issue immediately. In May 2016, the VA identified 25,000 veterans who had been affected and announced plans to get them exams with qualified doctors.

The Office of Inspector General also looked into the issue and is expected to complete their report this summer.

In the hearing, Walz asked for additional information about how veterans were being reached and what action steps were being taken to ensure veterans were getting exams with qualified doctors.

Walz has worked on improving TBI care since first coming to Congress, including legislation signed into law to significantly improve rehabilitation services for veterans recovering from traumatic brain injury.

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