Senator Hillary Clinton Calls for Investigation Into Reports that Army Obstructs VA Assistance for Injured Soldiers at Fort Drum

Concerns Add to Record of Bureaucratic Troubles for Wounded Soldiers

January 29, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today called on the Pentagon to fully investigate recent reports that the Army has blocked the Department of Veterans’ Affairs from helping injured soldiers at Fort Drum complete military disability paperwork. In a letter to Secretary of the Army Pete Geren, Senator Clinton expressed deep concern about these troubling new allegations, which come in the wake of earlier bureaucratic problems at Fort Drum.

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If these allegations are true they run counter to our nation’s pledge made to our men and women in uniform,” Senator Clinton said. “It is our duty to eliminate obstacles standing in the way of our disabled servicemembers and veterans, not to create them. Our wounded should not have to deal with endless bureaucratic red tape just to receive the basic care entitled to them.”

Wounded soldiers at Fort Drum told Senator Clinton about their bureaucratic struggles when she visited last April. She also heard from New York soldiers at Walter Reed about widespread problems with disability claims. In response, she introduced a series of legislative measures to help ensure that wounded soldiers receive the disability benefits they need and deserve and to further protect military family financial benefits. Several of Senator Clinton’s proposals were enacted into law on Monday as part of the Fiscal Year 2008 Department of Defense Authorization Act.

Below is the text of Senator Clinton’s letter:

January 29, 2008

The Honorable Pete Geren
Secretary of the Army
Department of the Army
Washington, D.C. 20310

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I write to you with great concern regarding recent news reports that the Army is blocking disability paperwork aid to soldiers at Fort Drum. According to the report, Army officials instructed representatives from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs not to help disabled soldiers at Fort Drum with their military disability paperwork.

As you may recall, I visited Fort Drum early last year and met with wounded soldiers who complained of problems with red tape and the bureaucracy. After my visit, I sent caseworkers from my Senate office to Fort Drum to assist many of these soldiers with their problems.

These allegations, coming less than 10 months after my visit to Fort Drum, are deeply disturbing, and I formally request that you conduct an independent investigation into this situation as quickly as possible. In light of the numerous complaints that I have personally heard from wounded soldiers about their treatment, these allegations should be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.

Our nation has a duty to honor and support those who have served and sacrificed so much in the defense of our nation. This support must continue as these men and women transition out of the military. Adequate health care and benefits for disabled veterans is an important aspect of this continued support. If these allegations are true they run counter to our nation’s pledge made to our men and women in uniform. It is our duty to eliminate obstacles standing in the way of our disabled servicemembers and veterans, not to create them. Our wounded should not have to deal with endless bureaucratic red tape just to receive the basic care entitled to them.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. I look forward to continuing to work with you in support of all our service members and their families.

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

cc: Major General Michael Oates
Commanding General, Fort Drum

Source: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton