Gaming the VA Disability System

[Mal]

From the Chamber of Commerce for Persons with Disabilities in Hawaii:

Braulio Castillo, CEO of Strong Castle Inc., claims he broke his foot playing sports at a military prep school in 1984. As an IRS contractor he has been using a minor, possibly non-existent injury from his prep school days 27 years ago to secure government contracts for his company was publicly shamed by Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in such a magnificent way that it almost made his fraud worthwhile.

As a Marine who gets a disability pension from the VA for injuries sustained on ACTIVE duty, this really peeves me. Any thoughts?

I personally think this guy is a scum bag and makes light of those of us who actually served.

Here's more from Time:

nation.time.com/2013/06/27/service-connected-dissembling/

[Witchcraft and Sorcery]

This is NOT acceptable. Wow, the lengths that some people will go to to get money sometime. Firstly, I'd like to thank you for your service. I could never be in the military, and I applaud those who do.

But really. This is meant for those who ACTUALLY SERVED ON ACTIVE DUTY. Not just because he hurt his ankle playing football. Why are there even loopholes like this?

[Duckyian Empire]

First, thank you for the service with the Marine Corps.

Second, this is a rude awakening for people. We need get rid of those loopholes. The 'man' hurt himself a looong time ago. And also, can we prove that he got hurt? If not, then he should get shot by a Psyduck firing squad with PPsh-41s in the middle of the night his disability removed. He should pay the government back, with 400% interest. There. Such teach sons-of-glitches like him a lesson.

[Benevolent Thomas]

I do not think there is any debate here. This man is taking advantage of the system and is likely a fraud. The VA is severely underfunded as it is and we don't need colossal A-holes taking benefits away from those who actually need them.

[helltank]

It's the responsibility of those creating systems to ensure loopholes are closed, or even better, that no loopholes exist at all. Which means the VA needs to buck up in its legal department. However, stuff like this is frankly ridiculous. A 28-year-old injury playing football? I mean, seriously.

Singaporeans like to call these sort of people "despo", short for "desperate". It's a heavily negative term and is similar to "conniving, weaseling scumbag".