Statement of Michael J. Missal, Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs, Before the Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, United States House of Representatives, Hearing on “VA’s Development and Implementation of Policy Initiatives”

Chairman Bost, Ranking Member Esty, and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to discuss the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG’s) oversight of the programs and operations of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). We recently made changes to our oversight model for VBA to allow us to better review national policy changes and focus on their high-impact programs and operations. Aside from reporting on specific problems and providing targeted solutions to VBA, we have emphasized identifying the underlying root causes of issues that have negatively impacted current programs and future initiatives. Among other causes, we have identified program leadership and governance as common deficiencies. We are committed to uncovering the source of problems that put taxpayer dollars and veterans’ benefits at risk of fraud, waste, and abuse or that undercut the quality and timeliness of services to veterans and their families.