Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, life has changed for virtually everyone, including veterans in Dallas County. 

Dallas County Veterans Affairs Director Nick Praska, who participated in a veteran roundtable with Congresswoman Cindy Axne Tuesday, says the pandemic has made it difficult for veterans to go through the disability process with the Iowa or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

“There has been a lot of delays in disability exams due to COVID. I think there was some issues with sub-contracted providers not getting paid so they quit, which led to a shortage of providers, which now is causing a backlog. We are seeing some veterans waiting six months just to get an exam for their disability benefits.”

Praska notes the COVID-19 pandemic has created delays in various processes related to disability benefits including the time it takes for exams to be uploaded and worked on after they have been completed.