Congress digging into Illinois benefits claims (Veterans disability)

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-wvets09.html

A congressional investigator begins digging through federal veterans' disability claims today in Chicago to determine why Illinois is ranked at the bottom of the nation in pay to wounded veterans.

But a former disability rater in the Chicago Veterans Affairs office insists that Illinois' pay is consistent among Midwestern industrial states and criticizes those veterans who he says try to game the system.

"A lot of resources get wasted on less than meritorious claims," said Michael Burke, 56, a former VA disability benefits rater in Chicago who retired last fall after 32 years at the VA. "You always have to look out for the people who are trying to commit fraud. No taxpayer wants his money going to the goldbricks -- the guy who makes his situation out to be worse that it is."

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[luaneryder]

1. Burke's statement

about "goldbricks" is often the opinion held by VA employees of vets. Having worked for the VA for over 10 years in many capacities it was sickening to see, hear and be a target of (because I am a service disabled vet) such bias. I would venture to say that compensation wastes far less resources than their building and acquisitions decisions and awards.