The non-profit Veterans for Common Sense says the Veterans Administration system is broken. The group joined Congressman Bob Filner in San Diego today to call for major changes in the VA.
Veterans for Common Sense says the VA medical system generally provides good care. They say it's the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) that needs an overhaul.
The VBA determines eligibility for benefits. Critics say veterans currently have to wait an average of six months to get a claims decision.
San Diego Congressman Bob Filner chairs the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. He says it's time for a change.
"I'm gonna work with both the inside people who I think are ready for change, and the outside folks who have a perspective on it, and make the VA far more responsive than it is," Filner promised.
Filner says that too often the VBA acts as a barrier to veterans. He says some veterans have died waiting for their claims to be processed.
