WASHINGTON (April 25, 2012)--A former Veterans Affairs hospital official says veterans are waiting too long for mental health care and says their records sometimes are manipulated to make it appear that performance standards are being met, which allows administrators to collect bonuses.

Nicholas Tolentino told a U.S. Senate committee that hospitals are so focused on meeting performance targets that they sometimes don't do what's best for the patient.

Tolentino used to be the mental health administrative officer at the VA's medical center in Manchester, N.H.

His testimony comes as lawmakers reviewed an inspector general's report that disputes the VA's claim that 95 percent of veterans seeking mental health care are evaluated within 14 days of their requested date.