Veteran says VA screwed up records

BILLINGS — A Glendive veteran has filed a complaint with the Veterans Health Administration after his request for authorization of medical services was answered with paperwork belonging to another veteran.

Kip Braden, 60, said the paperwork he received included the Bozeman veteran’s name, address, date of birth, Social Security number and his medical condition.

“I feel violated,” Braden said. “They’ve sent my personal information out to who knows where, and who knows what they will do with it.”

Braden said he is concerned about identity theft.

“If someone screws up my finances, who is responsible?” Braden asked, adding he is 80 percent disabled from service-related injuries and deserves better from the VA.

Johnny Ginnity, interim director of the VA Montana Health Care System, said the error was being investigated.

Randy Martin, VA Montana Health Care spokesman, said the woman responsible for the error has been moved out of that department, and staff has been added to help prevent similar mistakes.

He added it is possible more than two veterans have been affected.

“When humans are involved, it’s completely possible humans make mistakes,” Martin said. “It’s not acceptable any time it happens.”