Probe: No Evidence Of False VA Data In Vet's Death
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Veterans Administration reports that an internal investigation found no evidence that a Minnesota veteran's appointment data was doctored after he died, three members of the state's congressional delegation said Friday.
Acting VA Inspector General Richard Griffin wrote to the lawmakers that the investigation found no evidence of falsified or manipulated records in this case of former Marine Jordan Buisman.
A Twin Cities news station reported last month that VA records showed a neurology exam for Buisman, 24, was rescheduled four days after his death. Buisman's family believes the record was falsified to hide alleged delays in his care and has filed a wrongful death claim against the VA.
But the investigation found that Buisman, who had epilepsy, called the Minneapolis VA's automated system, through which patients can request changes to their appointments, from his cellphone number on Nov. 26, 2012. He died later that day after having seizures. Four days later, a scheduler canceled Buisman's neurology appointment and tentatively rescheduled it for Jan. 17, 2013, but was unaware he had died. That information had not yet been entered into the system, Griffin wrote.
In a statement Friday, U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken and Rep. Tim Walz said Buisman still had to wait too long to get the health care he needed.
Regardless of the VA inspector general's findings, "the broader and more important issue for the health, well-being and peace of mind of veterans and their families is the question of access to timely care, especially in life threatening situations," the lawmakers said.
The VA's inspector general continues to investigate whistleblower claims by two former Minneapolis VA employees who say they were instructed to falsify records to make it look like veterans were canceling or delaying appointments, a practice they allege allowed VA managers to hide long appointment delays.
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