Overpayment Of Veterans Disability Benefits Is A Major Problem

January 30, 2013

Despite the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) processing a record 1.1 million claims last year, the system is still plagued by problems that are costing both taxpayers and veterans. A story published in a recent issue of USA Today examined these issues and what the government will do to solve them.

The major concern inspectors noted was the overcompensation of some service members who had filed for Veterans Disability Benefits. Experts found the VA had given too much money to approximately 12,800 veterans at a cost of around $943 million over the 16-year period from 1993 to 2009. Inspectors believe another $1.1 billion could be lost by 2016 as well unless a solution to the problem is found.

Overpayments are often made when a veteran is given a temporary 100 percent disability prior to undergoing a surgery or debilitating treatment. Claim examiners often fail to schedule follow-up visits with medical professionals to determine if the veteran’s condition is improving.

The VA has been implementing a fully automated processing system that will alert claim examiners when follow-up appointments need to be made in order to combat the problem of overpayments.

The Ohio Personal Injury Lawyers with Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy acknowledge that these overpayments tighten already stretched budgets further, making it more difficult for those in need of benefits to receive them. That is why the firm advises anyone who has been harmed in the line of duty to discuss your claim with an attorney.

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