Standing Up for Our Veterans: A Response to the Washington Post’s Misrepresentation

The Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association joins the broader veteran community in expressing deep disappointment in The Washington Post’s recent article, “How Some Veterans Exploit $193 Billion VA Program, Due to Lax Controls.” The story’s narrative misrepresents the reality of the Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation system and, in doing so, disrespects the men and women who have earned those benefits through honorable and often life-altering service.

As a retired Chief Warrant Officer, I have seen firsthand the sacrifices our service members endure. The vast majority of veterans who file disability claims do so because their service left them with visible and invisible wounds that impact their daily lives. To imply that these same individuals are taking advantage of a “lax system” is a grave injustice.

Fraud exists in every government program, and when it occurs, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and the Department of Justice are fully capable of investigating and prosecuting those responsible. Those cases are rare. They do not represent the millions of veterans who navigate a complex, confusing, and often exhausting claims process just to receive the care and support they were promised.

The Post’s piece fails to recognize that the number of disability claims has risen not because of greed or deception, but because of the 24 years of continuous military operations following 9/11, and because medical advances now save lives once lost on the battlefield. Survival, however, comes at a cost — chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries, and psychological trauma that often emerge months or years after returning home.

The Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association stands firmly in defense of those who have borne the battle. We will always support accountability, but we reject any narrative that paints veterans as opportunists. Our focus must remain on modernizing the VA system, improving claims processing, and ensuring timely care for every veteran in need.
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The debt this nation owes its veterans is not one that can be questioned in headlines — it’s one that must be honored through understanding, compassion, and continued commitment.

CWO4 (Ret.) Mark Cortor
Vice President for Retired Affairs
Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association, U.S. Coast Guard

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