Sen. Joni Ernst Still Waiting For Answers From VA After Veteran's Suicide

Ernst rips VA for slow response to D.M. vet's suicide
Des Moines Register
Tony Leys
June 3, 2015

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst blasted the Department of Veterans Affairs on Wednesday for taking too long in determining whether a Des Moines veteran obtained appropriate care before he committed suicide.

Richard Miles, 41, was found frozen to death in Waterworks Park on Feb. 20. Friends said the Iraq War veteran suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and had gone to Des Moines' VA hospital on Feb. 15 for help. Instead of being offered in-patient treatment, he was given medication and was told he would receive an appointment with a psychiatrist later, friends said.

Ernst formally requested an investigation by the VA inspector general a few days after Miles' death. She told reporters Wednesday that she was originally told she'd get a response by April, but she still hasn't received a report. "It is frustrating, disappointing and absolutely unacceptable that this has taken so long," she said.

Ernst said part of the problem could be that the inspector-general's top position is vacant.
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