Peters calls for investigation

Peters seeks probe into shredded documents at Detroit VA office

Paul Egan / The Detroit News

U.S. House candidate Gary Peters on Monday called for a congressional investigation into the mishandling and possible shredding of veterans claims documents at regional Department of Veterans Affairs offices in Detroit and elsewhere.

Peters, a Democrat who is challenging U.S. Rep Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Hills, also called for an unspecified amount of increased funding for the department and increased accountability.

Peters said he's concerned about breaking a "sacred commitment we have to veterans" and called for an immediate mechanism by which veterans can make sure their claim files are intact.

The Detroit News reported last week that the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs is investigating the mishandling of claims documents at three regional offices, including Detroit, after unprocessed documents were found in shredder bins during an audit.

Later in the article:

Nate Bailey, a spokesman for Knollenberg, said the congressman is a veteran of the U.S. Army and "a strong and ardent supporter of veterans."

Knollenberg, an eight-term congressman, voted for the largest increase in history for veterans funding, which took effect in 2008, Bailey said.

"Don't be fooled by those that manipulate Congressman Knollenberg's record," he said. "Taking votes out of context and misrepresenting his votes for veterans are not the true story." Click here for the rest of the story.

I'm not so sure Joe should be bragging about his veterans record. Here are how several veterans groups rank Joe on veterans issues.

2006 Representative Knollenberg supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 66 percent in 2006.

2006 In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Representative Knollenberg a grade of C.

2006 Representative Knollenberg sponsored or co-sponsored 7 percent of the legislation favored by the The Retired Enlisted Association in 2006.

2005 Representative Knollenberg supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 0 percent in 2005.

2004 Representative Knollenberg supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Representative Knollenberg supported the interests of the The Retired Enlisted Association 33 percent in 2004.

2003-2004 Representative Knollenberg supported the interests of the Vietnam Veterans of America 38 percent in 2003-2004.

2003 Representative Knollenberg supported the interests of the American Veterans 50 percent in 2003.

2003 Representative Knollenberg supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 0 percent in 2003.

2003 Representative Knollenberg supported the interests of the The American Legion 40 percent in 2003.

2001 Representative Knollenberg supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 100 percent in 2001.

2001 Representative Knollenberg supported the interests of the Vietnam Veterans of America 77 percent in 2001.

1999 Representative Knollenberg supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 100 percent in 1999.

1997-1998 Representative Knollenberg supported the interests of the Vietnam Veterans of America 0 percent in 1997-199