Federal investigators are looking into allegations that a veteran committed suicide while awaiting care at the Department of Veterans Affairs system on an "unofficial wait list," according to the Washington Examiner.
Veterans Administration Inspector General Michael Missal wrote a letter to Senate Republicans saying: "The circumstances regarding the alleged document falsification as well as the alleged use of unofficial wait lists are now under review by OIG staff.
"Upon completion of our review, we will make every effort to share whatever information we can in accordance with applicable law."
Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Cory Gardner of Colorado, asked for an investigation after a whistleblower informed them that Rollin Oliver Berry II, a 26-year-old Army Ranger, committed suicide while awaiting treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, The Denver Post reports.
According to the claims, the VA forged documents after the service member's death and targeted the whistleblower for retaliation.
Sen. Johnson, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Reform Committee, noted the importance of looking into allegations at veterans' facilities "promptly and thoroughly. "
Gardner agreed, adding: "I remain committed to fighting for transparency and accountability from the VA, and I look forward to reviewing the Inspector General's findings."
Wait lists have been a controversy at the Veterans Administration since 2014 when agency employees in Phoenix were revealed to have kept off-the-books records of patients who were seeking appointments, which was a possible factor in the deaths of 35 veterans.
Delays continue today in the Phoenix system, according to a V.A. inspector general report.
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