I-Team: Vietnam veteran owes $120K for benefits wrongly received -- He's not the only one

By Randy Travis
Published January 2, 2024
GRIFFIN, Ga. - Thousands of military veterans start the new year with an old worry: where will they find the money to return disability benefits wrongly paid to them over the years?
The Veterans Administration said 9,900 veterans should have been ineligible to receive non-service related disability benefits because they made too much money. The program is designed to help only destitute veterans.
FULL STORY: www.fox5atlant...

[@lawrencearmstrong8957]

We give BILLIONS to foreign countries, not to our Veterans or to own people!!

[@abbottshaull9831]

Our own people and Veterans are all the time the same.

[@tirwinger]

As much of the vets sacrifice their life on the line, he should not owe our government nothing!

[@kurtrussell5228]

It was non service related.... they said it ten time

[@kimberlydwilson6544]

Non service related or not the veterans sacrificed they families, personal times with their significant others, family gatherings, living a carefree lifestyle, putting the country’s need before themselves, and playing rush and roulette every day with their lives. Our veterans should live in a mortgage free/ rent free home. They shouldn’t have to pay for their necessities, including food and medicine. They should be respected and taken care of for the rest of their lives!

[@kurtrussell5228]

@@kimberlydwilson6544 ......you are dumb

[@dr.mathamagic3157]

If the VA cuts off the wrong foot they'll blame it on the Veteran.

[@charliecoronado4657]

I concur 😅😂

[@lowellyowell2922]

The government just needs to write that off. No veteran should have to pay that back. The government waste trillions of dollars.

[@imveryhungry112]

With an 800 billion dollar budget I think they can afford to not destroy this old veteran.

[@jaywatson9476]

There's no doubt in my military mind that this particular veteran qualifies for "service connected" VA Disability Compensation. It's just a matter of him sitting down with the right Veterans Service Officer or educating himself about the VA disability compensation system 😉. I sincerely appreciate and thank him for his service👍🙏💜.

[@motivate668]

Amvets helped me

[@antonioreyes2692]

This Veteran needs to be 💯 % service connected with PT like a longtime ago.🙏

[@tdgdbs1]

Does he have medical records to support that? It's pretty clear cut to me; he was double dipping between SSI and VA pension, both programs have set income limit.

[@demsareunamerican6800]

​@tdgdbs1 WTF are you talking about? The VA said he qualified. Now they say since he's married he makes to much? Benefits are FN earned DMFK, and the way the Vietnam Veterans were treated. FK the Government. He's allowed Social Security too. So how is he double dipping?

[@demsareunamerican6800]

​@@tdgdbs1 LMFAO, yeah, poverty level is set limit. I guess you can live off 13k a year. G T F O H.

[@penrodautorepair3170]

@@tdgdbs1 Bronze star supports a 100% P&T combat ptsd rating

[@Echo_5_Charlie]

I have a feeling, in the end, they're actually going to owe him, plus back pay for time lost for benefits owed long ago

[@penrodautorepair3170]

He should have a 100% va rating for combat ptsd. He needs to file a VA claim for combat ptsd. Guarantee you that his combat has effected his whole life. He needs a good VSO to help him.

[@whisperingdeath308]

This is outrageous . Vets don't deserve this.

[@elrobo3568]

He should "identify" as an illegal alien and they will forgive the debt and pay him even more. This is disgusting!

[@frankierhodes3363]

Yep. And that's a damn shame

[@acisneros3324]

Dumbass

[@JoshuaBerner]

Thats VA's polite way of saying grab your ankles, youre feel some pressure.

[@Mandible_]

So sad how veterans are treated.

[@emjay2045]

If they were in Congress getting this - all debts would be erased

[@frankierhodes3363]

Yep

[@Echo_5_Charlie]

He damn sure has a lot of different options he can go with here. First step, seek out and hire a Disability and Compensation Benefits Attorney.

[@jasonnordin]

At either 70% or 80% Service Connection Veterans receive their full military pension regardless of other income, there is no “dollar for dollar” income ratio matrix. The only problem I foresee he might have is the Service Connection is only effective as far back as when the claim was filed. There are certain specific disability ratings that are effective prior to when the claim was filed (Congress recently passed it, might be the PACT Act, but if memory serves me correctly there are specific disability ratings for Vietnam era Veterans, not for sure), that hopefully he will be Service Connected for so the whole “debt” becomes a “wash”, and even better he will hopefully receive a massive lump sum back payment *and* increased monthly compensation.

[@enhancedbodyfit]

This is horrible. He doesn't owe them anything. He paid with in blood.

[@semperfi-1918]

As a vet myself that debt should be forgiven. Go after the real fraudsters.

[@penrodautorepair3170]

If anyone knows him. Let him know to file a combat related ptsd claim. His Bronze star will support a ptsd claim.

[@TheBladepolisher]

The only thing I have to say is that once Trump is in office, all these Department Secretarys are unemployed. How anti-veteran can the VA Secretary get ? ?

[@FlyingEagle41]

This is why the military has a recruiting crisis.

[@hwfranjr]

The v.A. Should be held liable,they set all the rules and they decide what ya get and don't get,they get updated info and it's their job to look at it and make changes we can't!!!!!!

[@redraven_y2k]

But this country steady footing the bill for illegal migrates.

[@mortarman7353]

We need the "real facts" here..

[@tdgdbs1]

You can't collect SSI and VA pension at the same time. Both program have income limits.

[@BeachyKeen92]

Well SSI asks on the application if you receive VA benefits etc, so I would presume that the VA would ask the same. So I’m betting someone was not honest with the application and he can’t claim he didn’t fill it out because SSI also asks if you’re filling out your own application. These media companies like to get people upset about things that they clearly should investigate before reporting.

[@jasonnordin]

You CAN collect BOTH VA Disability *and* SSDI as they are INDEPENDENT of each other. The possible issue here is that he was receiving a military pension (retirement), which would be subject to withholding, however depending on his Service Connected rating his Service Connected rating percentage will determine how much he can collect, or if his rating is high enough, then he can collect ALL money (VA Disability, military pension, SSDI, SSI).

[@rogersmith7808]

The video is a bit misleading. It sounds like the issue was him being on a VA pension (different from VA disability) which has income limits and apparently he never disclosed to the VA he was receiving income from SS/SSI/SSDI. Incidentally, in the VA pension application, the veteran is required to disclose any income and assets and there are several blocks specifically mentioning SS income.

[@jaywatson9476]

I agree. It's unfortunate that so many veterans do not understand there's a difference between a VA Pension and VA Disability Compensation. I'm thinking this person might be qualified for "service connection" VA Compensation based on his combat service alone. It's just a matter of him sitting down with the right VSO and educating himself about the VA claim process 😉.

[@ralphy0103]

You are correct, he didn’t know is not an excuse. He should have educated himself on what he was applying for.

[@indigenoussoul4106]

​@@ralphy0103That's why he went to get help... And was told/given the wrong information...No one knows everything,not even you !!!

[@ralphy0103]

@@indigenoussoul4106 do you read or have someone read to you, legally binding documents before you sign them? It doesn’t matter, he is on the hook for the bill no matter what we think and i hope they get him for every penny.

[@UTCM]

Leave him alone !

[@Brehon_TalkingFinance]

Embarassing! The VA should make sure this guy is 100% P&T...

[@kraziboi80]

Is this talking about VA Pension? Many people commonly think the VA Pension and VA Disability Compensation are the same but it's not.

[@Armando6162]

Just because he gets Social Security disability, he still qualifies for VA benefits. Both are different departments.

[@phillyblazen1736]

The gov’t gives zero F’s about its vets. Let’s just be real. Even if it’s a non-service connect benefit, then why are these benefits available then

[@Daniel-ko9un]

Open a go fund me help veterans going through this.

[@4dogsgaming]

His first mistake was having anything to do with the VFW.. His second was trusting the government.

[@reekahd7695]

Va got me for something over twelve years ago! And now I can’t get my funds back until May! I swear to say we PUT UP WITH ALOT! The government just doesn’t care smh

[@charlesadams41]

Reason # 3,546 that if you're not in the military, DON'T join!

[@yolandaclark-hu6yj]

Georgia 😢

[@mdhopkins11]

He knew !

[@brianbytheocean]

The VA has gone to hell in the past 3 years. We are getting denied for everything in Floirda. It's sad. It's back to Vietnam era standars.

[@bigtime911]

Who filed his paperwork they need to be held accountable?

[@jacksonlee3771]

I'm a veteran. Never signed up with them VA.

[@jimmyroman9239]

Make yourself look good and take care of that it's your fault that you give somebody money same things happening to me they're giving me $1,400 and for the last year they giving me $114 I don't get it my social security has gone down.. I'm paying for compensation I don't understand

[@josephswenson129]

he is not alone. i guess the government needs the money to pay for health care for all the illegals !

[@charliewilson85]

That VFW needs to pay it.

[@williamvillarta5088]

Biden you need to help him he served our USA 🇺🇸

[@mikhailkalashnikov4599]

Maybe the "big guy" can hook him up out of that 10% he got.

[@rogersmith7808]

Maybe you can grow up and think for yourself at some point.

[@mikhailkalashnikov4599]

Awe, Roger. That hurts, bro.@@rogersmith7808

[@RETUSAF1995]

Let's give the Ukraine another 40 billion dollars.

[@bigtime911]

This vet needs to see an accredited vso😊

[@rogersmith7808]

A bit late for that.

[@carltonipoloknowski4736]

Easy fix BANKRUPTCY

[@bigsasha500]

US Government is exempt from bankruptcy consideration.

[@marsh59]

First Katt Williams roasted his az now the VA is toasting his az; Rickey Smiley can’t catch a break.

[@drfosty8836]

Soooo. We give immigrants funds , housing, schooling and education. And we have to charge back on the ones that Served to keep us safe. SMH in shame

[@jimmyroman9239]

They don't have to pay anything back they shouldn't have to pay for anything they fort for our country

[@johnRpico]

Not so very good.

[@konstantinNeo]

FJB needs all of it to be sent to ukraine! Give it back you .....

[@charliecoronado4657]

They should write it off, they fucked.up and.tjey should own it. Juat like.tjey make you own up to.your mistakes in the service

[@reesechargedup3642]

But he fought for this country smh American rigged

[@walterkehn2459]

Does it matter if he gets Social Security disability he could receive both it doesn’t matter he can receive both, so I’m thinking Biden’s trying to get money to send Ukraine

[@ralphchamp7533]

It's the VAs fault. He shouldn't have to pay the money back. That's what happens when the government hires to be diversified instead of hiring the best qualified

[@rogersmith7808]

😂

[@adamhutto1660]

I do feel some sympathy for this man but, sometimes you've got to have some accountability of your own. I'm involved in the very system that says they overpaid him. I'm always educating myself, and asking questions so this very thing doesn't happen to me somehow. You have to check the governments work.

[@hwfranjr]

Maybe you guys need to do your jobs a little better!!!😂😂😂

[@mannyp812000]

He tried to scam the system… and lost

[@popwilly3080]

How?

[@reycabrera996]

Who try to scam this men give the life for this country.

[@mannyp812000]

You can’t collect SSDI & VA pension folks .. there is a ton of paperwork and they tell you that… I’m a combat vet and 100% permanently disabled too so I’m not just bashing a fellow vet but go look at the 38 CFR and listen closely… there’s definitely other benefits that this vet can receive for compensation that would help him out .. there’s an abundance of resources for us to get us in the right direction no matter if you’re blind, deaf… don’t get me wrong.. I’m all for fellow vets to receive the benefits that they’ve earned and deserve but there’s checks and balances for a reason.. a vast majority of disabled vets are legitimate in their claims but some out there are cheating the system and most get caught. .. the disabled vets that I know can’t stand someone who is scamming the system because it makes the rest of us look bad and makes it that much harder to receive certain benefits from the VA..I’m sorry , I’m not a bleeding heart for anyone.

[@chrisfox1516]

@@mannyp812000 He knew what he was doing and now it caught up with him. Both SS and the VA ask about benefits and money you currently receive.

[@jasonnordin]

@@mannyp812000 That’s a false statement that you can’t collect both SSDI and VA compensation. It depends on the Veterans Service Connection rating percentage which will determine the percentage at which they can collect both, and if high enough (70% or 80%), then the Veteran collects all money in full as there is no “dollar for dollar” income matrix. The comments (including yours) create some confusion regarding the terms “VA pension” and “VA Disability Compensation”, and then there’s the possibility he’s receiving a military pension.

[@rollenswollen6694]

Hmmm.. a bronze star. I knew PLENTY of e6's and higher who AUTOMATICALLY got issued bronze stars for simply being a certain rank over in Iraq and Afghanistan..🤷🏻‍♂️ And, there are plenty of "veterans" out here who are receiving benefits that make ZERO sense - or more like you know someone who knows someone at the VA - kind of like the kid from Fort bliss who was discharged for use and sales of steroids.. Zero time of deployment, war time or regular.. yet the kid ended up with a 100% P&T rating.🤔

[@adamhutto1660]

Bronze Star, glorified ARCOM. If that Bronze Star had a "V", we'd be talkin'.

[@Thichanbo82]

Are you jealous with them?

[@rollenswollen6694]

@HuyNguyen-ew9og why would I be jealous of a person receiving an award that they simply know they didn't earn.? Happens all the time in the military.. hell, I bet even you have received an award you didn't earn.👌🏻

[@rollenswollen6694]

@@adamhutto1660 agreed..👍🏻

[@Thichanbo82]

@rollenswollen6694 htf you know they didn’t earn it. Loser always says what you’re saying.

[@anthonyviglione2638]

First social security now the vets what t f going on with united states we are truly Finnish .