Data: Reservist VA claims more often denied

[unhappycamper]

Data: Reservist VA claims more often denied
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Oct 2, 2008 6:29:49 EDT

National Guard and reserve members are more likely than active-duty Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans to have disability claims denied and more likely to receive the lowest possible disability ratings — even though they are half as likely to file claims in the first place.

An analysis of benefits claims prepared by Veterans for Common Sense, based on data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, shows Guard and reserve members who served in Iraq or Afghanistan are twice as likely to have a claim denied as other veterans of the same operations.

The higher rate of denials and low ratings among reservists do not appear to be the result of filing frivolous claims. Forty-five percent of active-duty veterans of the two ongoing operations filed disability claims, compared with 23 percent of Guard and reserve members who deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, said Paul Sullivan, executive director of the nonprofit veterans group.

Sullivan said he is unsure what has caused “such an enormous discrepancy” but thinks Congress and veterans deserve an answer.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., wants an explanation.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/10/military_reservesva_100108/%2e