Senator Baldwin Presses VA Secretary in Meeting About Pattern of Wisconsin Veterans’ Brain Injuries Being Misdiagnosed

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tammy Baldwin met with Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough to advocate on behalf of Wisconsin veterans whose neurological conditions have been misdiagnosed by a doctor at the Tomah VA Medical Center. As a result, these veterans were denied proper benefits and compensation. After working with multiple Wisconsin veterans who report their traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and other conditions have been misdiagnosed at the Tomah VA – some with evidence from outside providers showing their proven condition – Senator Baldwin has been calling on the VA to investigate the broader pattern of misdiagnoses by this particular doctor that may be preventing veterans from receiving care and benefits.

“We have a commitment to do right by those who served our country, and right now, I am concerned that the VA is not holding up their end of the bargain with some of our Wisconsin veterans," said Senator Baldwin. “I remain concerned about a broader pattern of misdiagnoses that is preventing some of our heroes from getting the care and benefits they earned and continue to call on Secretary McDonough to investigate. Our veterans deserve high quality health care and I am fighting to make sure they get it.”

Senator Baldwin has been working with Wisconsin veterans who report inconsistencies with their diagnoses at the Tomah VA, including some who recount only receiving brief screenings that outside providers state does not sufficiently assess brain injuries. The misdiagnoses have caused some to miss vital treatments and not being considered for disability benefits they may be owed, leading some to take matters into their own hands and pay out of pocket for outside exams and treatment.

In August 2022, Senators Baldwin and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) sent a letter to Secretary McDonough highlighting their concerns about TBI misdiagnosis at the Tomah VA and pushing for answers about the process for veterans who may have been improperly diagnosed and not receiving the benefits they deserve. After hearing from additional veterans, in September 2022, Senator Baldwin called on the VA to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the practices of this doctor to determine whether there is a broader pattern of her misdiagnosing patients neurological disorders that is preventing veterans from receiving care or benefits they earned.

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