More Than 600 Veterans Eligible to Have Disability Claims Reexamined After Problems Found With Doctor's Work at Tomah VA

Tuesday, November 14th, 2023 -- 8:09 AM

(Hope Kirwan, Wisconsin Public Radio) More than 600 veterans are eligible to have their disability claims reexamined after VA officials identified problems with a former doctor's work at the Tomah VA Medical Center.

According to Hope Kirwan with the Wisconsin Public Radio, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs first announced in April that the Tomah VA was reaching out to veterans who had received Neurology Compensation and Pension, or C&P, exams by former VA neurologist Dr. Mary Jo Lanska.

The exam is an administrative review to determine whether an injury or condition is related to a veteran's military service, and the outcome can affect the person's disability benefits. Minneapolis-based TV station KARE11 started reporting in 2022 that veterans seen by Lanska had their care and benefits improperly reduced.

The VA said in April an initial review of exams performed by Lanska "determined some of those examinations were considered incomplete." The neurologist was fired by the VA in May.

U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough announced in a press release this month that the department has decided to offer new exams to all 649 veterans who previously had their cases reviewed by Lanska.

The new exams will be used to reevaluate the veterans' original claims, meaning disability benefits will be backdated to the original claim date. Families of veterans who have died since their original claim will also be able to have their claims reviewed.

The press release said 292 other veterans also had exams done by Lanska, but either had their original disability claims approved or their exam did not factor into their final benefits decision.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.