Stogran Could Sue Veterans Affairs

The outgoing veterans ombudsman says he's considering a class action lawsuit over denied disability claims.

Veterans ombudsman Pat Stogran has been a thorn in the government’s side since he held a press conference this summer to denounce the veterans bureaucracy for obstructing injured soldiers’ disability claims. The veterans benefit system underwent an overhaul in 2006, and internal documents show Veterans Affairs knew the new system would end up paying out less to injured soldiers. Stogran said that although Veterans Affairs is supposed to give soldiers the benefit of the doubt during the claims process, it has begun stacking the deck against them instead. He has been approached by a private law firm about filing a class action suit, and said he will do so if the situation doesn’t improve. He steps down on Wednesday.