Audit: Mo. commission kept vets in dark

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Veterans Commission poorly communicated with veterans when handling pension and disability claims, according to Auditor Tom Schweich's report released Wednesday.

Schweich's office found the Veterans Service Offices properly handled pension and disability claims but repeatedly failed to inform veterans about what actions they took.

The audit follows seven complaints from federally elected officials.

In one complaint, a veteran called the office repeatedly over the course of three years to check the status of a denied claim. The veteran mistakenly asked about an appeal to the case, which never was filed. The case instead had been reopened and was under review.

The audit found the office correctly handled the claim but did not give the veteran any written notification of their actions.

Commission spokesman Daniel Bell said the office now uses written communication forms to give details to veterans or their guardian on their cases. It also plans to include contact information and availability for service officers in a written compliance form given to veterans.

"We believe it will improve our already outstanding service to Missouri's veterans," Bell said of the audit.

Schweich's office will conduct a full audit of the commission next year. Schweich spokesman Spence Jackson said that audit is unrelated and follows a regular schedule of reviewing state departments.

The last audit of the commission was in 2010.