Columbia, SC (WLTX) - A new report has discovered errors in the way the Columbia VA Regional Office processes benefits and claims.
The results of a Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General review of the office were released Thursday. Read the Full Review (Mobile viewers click here: http://www.va.gov/oig/pubs/VAOIG-14-01253-208.pdf )
The regional office provides benefit payments and counseling services to veterans. In the report, investigators determined the staff made errors processing several different types of claims, including disability and compensation claims.
The inspectors cited inadequate training and slow processing as reasons for the mistakes. It also found delays with benefit reduction cases, which the report says took place because management didn't make that work a priority.
The inspector recommended that the facility implement a plan to improve timeliness of reminder notifications, take action on a backlog of a particular type of disability evaluations, and improve training.
The director of the regional office agreed with the recommendations, and the inspectors say they'll follow up to see if the changes take place.
