Federal watchdogs and lawmakers acknowledge that fraud occurs within veterans’ benefits programs—but say its scale is often overstated, even as efforts to strengthen accountability continue.
Washington, D.C. | Federal officials and lawmakers concede that instances of fraud do occur within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as some individuals attempt to exploit government benefit programs intended for service members and their families. Yet, according to the VA, the overall scope of fraud, waste, and abuse is far smaller than some recent reports have suggested.
The issue of fraud within the VA system is not new. Congressional oversight committees and VA inspectors general have tracked misuse of benefits for decades, identifying both veterans and non-veterans as potential victims or perpetrators. As of April 2022, the VA reported that 160,270 veterans aged 65 and older were receiving pension benefits—making that demographic the most frequently targeted by scams and fraudulent schemes.
Recent analyses indicate that veterans’ disability claims have surged nationwide, significantly increasing the administrative burden on the VA and exposing gaps in claims verification processes. These rising claims have also placed millions of dollars in taxpayer funds at risk if fraudulent filings or duplicate claims go undetected.
