WASHINGTON — Twenty-four thousand veterans who turned to the Department of Veterans Affairs for help with traumatic brain injuries were possibly misdiagnosed by unqualified employees and denied their disability claims.
The VA sent letters to those vets who went for testing, telling them their exam wasn't performed by a trained specialist qualified to diagnose the injury. The VA is now offering to re-test those veterans.
More than 170 veterans from the Boston VA regional office received the letters and were not properly tested.
"These are real human tragedies that are occurring," said Shaun Rieley of the Concerned Veterans for America. "It's important to remember that behind each statistic is a real person struggling with a real issue."
The VA has apologized. In a statement, VA Secretary Bob MacDonald said, "We let these veterans down. That is why we are taking every step necessary to grant equitable relief to those affected to ensure they receive the full benefits to which they are entitled."
The veterans have one year from receiving the letter to request a new screening.
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