When the Washington Post publishes an article accusing veterans of abusing the VA disability system, people tend to listen. After all, it’s a big national newspaper, right? Recently, I came across an article just like that—a piece alleging that fraud and weak oversight have turned the VA benefits system into a free-for-all. The article suggested that billions of dollars are being wasted on “minor” claims from veterans who shouldn’t qualify.
Well, I read the article myself. And as a Veterans Affairs attorney who works with real veterans every single day, I can tell you this: the Washington Post missed the real story.
Fraud does exist—but it’s not the problem they should be worried about.
The Washington Post Focused on the Wrong Problem
The Washington Post article pointed to a dramatic rise in disability benefits—nearly $200 billion paid out annually to 6.9 million veterans. It implied that veterans are taking advantage of “weak oversight,” collecting benefits for things like hair loss, sleep apnea, acne, and hemorrhoids.
Let’s pause right there.
That kind of language is designed to make veterans look greedy or dishonest. But what the Washington Post failed to explain is why these conditions are service-related in the first place.
- Sleep apnea is linked to hypertension, coronary artery disease, Type 2 diabetes, depression, and anxiety—conditions that are extremely common in veterans due to high stress, toxic exposure, and demanding service environments.
- Hemorrhoids? Believe it or not, that can stem from chronic constipation caused by MRE diets, heavy lifting during deployment, or liver disease related to service.
- Hair loss can be linked to autoimmune disorders or side effects from service-connected medications.
These aren’t “minor” issues. They’re real medical conditions connected to military service. And if a condition is service connected, then by law, a veteran is entitled to compensation. End of story.
Fraud Exists—But the Washington Post Misrepresented It
The Washington Post article highlighted extreme and rare cases, like veterans allegedly claiming paralysis or blindness when they weren’t really injured. Let me tell you—those claims don’t slip through without a major breakdown in VA process.
If someone files a claim for paralysis or blindness, they are required to undergo a VA compensation and pension exam (C&P exam). If fraud like that gets approved, that’s not just on the veteran—that’s a failure of VA procedures and oversight.
Even the numbers referenced in the article prove this is a small issue. The General Accounting Office estimated government-wide fraud at $233–$521 billion, and VA fraud accounts for about 1.5% of that. For perspective, Medicare fraud is over 13%.
So, yes—fraud exists. It should be punished. But fraud is not the VA’s biggest problem.
The Real Problem Isn’t Fraud—It’s VA Bureaucracy
The Washington Post article spent paragraphs pointing fingers at veterans. But it ignored the real issue: the VA system itself is broken.
Here’s what the article didn’t tell you:
1. The VA Claims Process Is a Maze
The VA rulebook is thousands of pages long and changes constantly. Most denials aren’t because of fraud—they’re because veterans don’t understand a technical filing rule.
2. The VA Fails Its Duty to Assist
The VA is legally required to help veterans gather service records. But over and over, they don’t. I recently appealed a case where the VA denied a claim because they said my client wasn’t in the Korean DMZ—despite investigative reports and unit records proving otherwise. They simply didn’t look.
3. Inconsistent Disability Ratings
PTSD can get one veteran 70% in one state and 30% in another. Why? Because the rating system is subjective, outdated, and inconsistently applied.
4. Endless Backlogs and Appeals
Unlike a civil court case that may take six months, a VA appeal can take years. Veterans wait, and wait, and wait—sometimes dying before a decision is ever made.
5. Outdated Medical Standards
The VA disability rating schedule is based on 1940s medical science. Let that sink in. Veterans today are being evaluated with criteria older than most of their grandparents.
6. Emotional and Psychological Toll
Many veterans tell me, “It feels like the VA thinks I’m a liar.” The process is adversarial and exhausting. Veterans shouldn’t have to fight the very agency created to help them.
What the Washington Post Should Have Said
Instead of shaming veterans, the Washington Post should have called for:
- Modernizing the VA rating system
- Enforcing the Duty to Assist
- Faster access to medical records
- Better training for VA reviewers
- Accountability—not suspicion—of veterans
- Investment in technology to streamline claims
Fraud isn’t the crisis. Delays are. Denials are. Bureaucracy is.
Painting veterans as scammers may sell newspapers, but it does nothing to fix the VA.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a veteran reading this—don’t give up.
You earned your benefits. You don’t have to apologize for filing a legitimate claim, and you certainly don’t need to feel guilty just because the Washington Post wants clicks.
Get help. Don’t go it alone. Whether you work with a VSO, a law firm, or a veterans organization—stay in the fight. The VA system may be broken, but your claim matters, and so does your story.
Until next time—stay strong, stay informed, and God bless.
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