VA benefits claims found in piles to be shredded.

The Military Times reports that the “Department of Veterans Affairs regional offices have been ordered to immediately stop shredding documents” after an investigation found some benefits claims and supporting documents — such as certificates for births, deaths and marriage — among piles of papers waiting to be destroyed. VFW National Commander Glen Gardner said the problem could be significant:

“The question that begs to be asked and answered is how many veterans had their disability and compensation claims disappear down a paper shredder?”

Among the records found waiting to be shredded were applications for disability compensation, education benefits, home loans and pensions for low-income veterans, officials said.