California: Judge Rejects Overhaul of Department of Veterans Affairs

National Briefing West California: Judge Rejects Overhaul of Department of Veterans Affairs By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: June 26, 2008 A federal judge refused to order an overhaul of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ health care system, saying veterans groups who had sued for the changes should take their case elsewhere. The judge, Samuel Conti of Federal District Court, ruled that the lawsuit was “misdirected” and that the veterans should instead ask Congress, the head of the Veterans Administration and the federal court in Washington, D.C., to improve the system. Veterans groups had sued Veterans Affairs, alleging that its mental health care and benefits award system were flawed. A spokesman for Veterans Affairs, Phil Budahn, said the agency was “pleased” with the ruling. Gordon Erspamer, a lawyer for the veterans group, said he would appeal the decision.