Unqualified VA Doctors Getting TBI Claims Wrong

KARE 11 investigation reveals Mpls VA misdiagnosed 50 brain injured veterans
KARE News
A.J. Lagoe and Steven Eckert
December 30, 2015

"I wrote a check for my life saying hey I'm here to serve my country now it's your turn to take care of me. Give me the medical attention I need." U.S. Navy veteran Anton Welke.

MINNEAPOLIS - The Veterans Administration has been using unqualified medical personnel to do examinations – and deny benefits - for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, according to records obtained during a KARE 11 News investigation.

VA data from a new Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) filed by KARE 11 revealed the number of veterans affected.

Instead of being examined by a traumatic brain injury (TBI) specialist, records reveal 321 cases in which a veteran was examined by a doctor VA policy shows was not qualified to diagnose traumatic brain injuries.

To date, the Minneapolis, VA has re-examined 181 of those veterans and determined the unqualified doctors made quite a few mistakes. In 50 cases, an exam by a TBI specialist revealed the veterans did in fact have brain injuries and should be getting treatment and benefits previously denied.

Welke is one of the Minnesota veterans now receiving the TBI treatment and benefits he was denied for three years after an unqualified doctor in the Minneapolis VA's Compensation and Pension unit misdiagnosed him.
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