Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., questioned Veterans Administration Secretary Robert McDonald about the plagued Community Based Outpatient Clinic at Maxwelton during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing Tuesday.

McDonald responded that many veterans facilities are "too old" and that HVAC systems need to be replaced; however, he said, the VA budget has been marked down by $1.4 billion, with the major construction portion "gutted by almost half."

The CBOC, closed three times in the past year, is currently in a space owned by the Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corp. Last June, employees there complained about headaches, dizziness and a burning sensation in their eyes. The first round of testing resulted in no significant findings. In the most recent closure, National Institute of Health tests revealed a 0.001 excess of formaldehyde in the air.

Over the course of the year, GVEDC executive director Steve Weir said the agency has spent about $150,000 to try to rehabilitate the clinic's airflow system to VA's liking.

“The air quality issues at the Greenbrier County CBOC are extremely troubling. I was glad to hear the VA recognizes the significance of this problem and acknowledge that this issue needs to be addressed immediately," Capito said after the hearing.

The senator said she looks forward to continuing a dialogue about how to ensure quality care and access for West Virginia’s veterans.

On Friday, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., wrote to McDonald, demanding the clinic remain open.

"I am adamant that this health-care facility remain in Greenbrier County, but it needs to be a functioning clinic that is not in danger of continuous closings or that potentially threatens the health of our veterans, family members and employees," Manchin said.

GVEDC executive director Steve Weir said Tuesday that he expects a full report from NIOSH later this week, after getting only one page of the report after the clinic closed.

"If the issue is formaldehyde, it's in everything," Weir said. "Hand soap, any construction adhesive, drywall, carpeting, pet shampoos. It's everywhere."

Weir said he has still "not heard one word from the VA, officially directly or indirectly" about either the report or the clinic's third closure.

Beckley VA Public Affairs Officer Debbie Voloski said "all levels of the VA are looking for a viable option" for the Greenbrier County CBOC.

"We are looking at options for taking a mobile unit (there), but we have no definitive plan," she said.

A mobile unit that serves Bluefield has patients scheduled, she said.

The Maxwelton CBOC serves 1,700 veterans in the region surrounding Greenbrier County, including Allegheny County, Va. Veterans who are served there must make the 60-mile additional drive to Beckley while the clinic is closed.