**Veterans Struggle With VA Overpayments Leading to Crushing Debts**

Christopher Praino, a veteran recalled to active duty in late 2019, agreed to relinquish his $965 monthly disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as required by law. Yet, despite receiving confirmation from the VA that his payments would cease, Praino continued to receive varying sums, sometimes over $2,000, sporadically over the next three years. This led to an administrative nightmare: Praino was informed in 2023 that he owed nearly $68,000 to the government, which began reclaiming money directly from his military paychecks. This enforcement left him struggling to support his five children and wife, causing immense emotional and financial distress.

Praino's experience is not isolated. The VA admitted to overpaying about $5.1 billion in disability compensation and pension payments from fiscal year 2021 to fiscal year 2024, a recurring and escalating issue that has driven many veterans into significant debts. At a recent congressional oversight hearing, VA officials pointed fingers at veterans for not promptly reporting eligibility changes that would have adjusted their benefits. However, Praino and others claim they informed the VA in a timely manner, but the payments continued regardless.

Veterans like Brent Aber also face similar predicaments. Eight years after updating his dependent status following a divorce, Aber was stunned to receive a notice demanding over $17,700 in repayment. Despite presenting the necessary documentation at the time of his divorce, it appeared the VA's national system never registered his update, resulting in the continuation of overpayments. The monthly deduction to recover this debt has forced Aber, a double amputee, to drastically cut his living expenses and endure mounting frustration as he battles for adequate medical care.

The systemic issues contributing to these overpayments are manifold. According to Rep. Morgan Luttrell, who leads the House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, the problem is entangled in layers of human error and outdated technology that prevent seamless communication between local and national VA offices. Luttrell, along with VA press secretary Peter Kasperowicz, acknowledges the agency's complex operational challenges but insists new leadership is striving to rectify long-standing inefficiencies.

While the VA's administrative inaccuracies burden veterans with unanticipated debts, the inflexibility of the system further exacerbates their hardships. For individuals like Praino and Aber, the combination of financial recoupment and denied medical referrals not only manifests in monetary strain but also fuels feelings of betrayal towards an institution meant to support those who served.