VBA's Claims Folder Storage at the VA Regional Office Winston-Salem, North Carolina

During the onsite benefit inspection of the Winston-Salem VARO, OIG observed an excessive number of claims folders stored on the top of, and around, filing cabinets. Based on our concerns, we issued a Management Advisory Memorandum to the Under Secretary for Benefits to ensure the VARO addressed management of veterans’ files and employee safety concerns immediately. The inadequate storage created an unsafe workspace for VARO employees and appeared to have the potential to compromise the integrity of the building. The Under Secretary for Benefits directed the VARO leadership take immediate action to find alternate temporary storage areas, obtain additional storage cabinets, and relocate excess cabinets and exposed folders to other floors. VARO management complied and submitted a long-range proposal to improve claim folder access and security.