VA Recoupment of Disable Veterans SSB/VSI Payments

Our government is spending a tremendous amount of money on social programs of all types. After I returned from the war in 1991 I came out with a dab for 15 years of service. I didn’t double dip but when I received va bennifits they recouped all the ssb I was Never told this was part of the agreement Please return the ssb to the veterans I’m sure we earned it

The government cannot find $400M or so, to resolve this issue. Our politicians are failing us.

I have paid back over $58K, over the last two years, I am totally 100% disabled and agree with everyone here this is wrong. I took SSB in 1992, and did not seek VA disability until 2020. So now my 18 years of service I receive nothing for it, and was not informed back in 1992 that eventually my injuries would require me to pay back all the SSB. So now I receive disability pay for old age on injuries, but nothing for my time in service, this is a disgrace.

Is it possible to claim the DFAS tax recoupment as additional federal taxes withheld on our income taxes?

This is an unjust law.

This is terrible. Just got a letter saying that I owe $53k. Any update on this?

I just received a 10% award for the ringing in my ears and once I received the letter is stated about my SSB and that the money I was to receive was going to be put towards paying back the payment for SSB I received. That bit of information was not told when I took it. To me it seems that very unfair that I have to pay back something that was offered to benefit the military because they change the rules and wanted to draw down forces. Now i have to pay back the money from my disability 30 years after getting out caused by my service i gave in the military. To me that does not seem fair or right. I see from the comments i'm not the only one.

The Military pulled the largest dishonest scam; a fraud ever thought up. They spoke of help military member readjust to society and find jobs. Duplicated benefits when the SSB pay was given at a period when we were leaving the military most of us without a dime if we did not accept the separation pay. Duplicate or dual benefits implies that we are being paid the money at the same time. I receive SSB payments about 25 years ago and I used the money to go back to school which allowed me to get a job. Now after fighting for disability assistance since 1995, I finally received my disability this year in 2021 and they take all the money to repay the SSB. The military also lied about the amount of separation money I would receive they never mentioned taxes. This is truly an unbelievable scam. A Joke!

I am in the same boat. I have an 80% disability rating and they are recouping my VSP. No compensation payments for me.

Just flat out wrong! Now I'm on the hook for 22k. HEY Congress do something. and we wonder why we have 22 Military retired and active duty personally that comit suicide every month.

Try to talk with the American Legion they fight for us in these cases.

They are not telling the veterans that after the VA recoupment, even though you paid taxes on the separation pay you have to pay back the entire amount. In my case, 27000, 8000 taxes, 19000 taken by the VA, 8000 owed to the military. So I am in for 36000 on 27000. Sad and depressing.

I am just saying, if you received 27,000 and the IRS taxed 8000 and then almost 30 years later the VA takes 19,000 back but the military wants the entire 27000 back something is wrong. So I have repaid the 19000 I received plus the 8000 taxes and I still paid the IRS 8000. The lady at DFAS this morning told me in their "training" they were told that these payments were a "loan" I strongly disagree. I had to forward my information to my congressman.

Received 27,000for SSB in 92, VA took 19,000 in 2017. DFAS says in 2020 I still owe 27,000. Deducting 935.00 out of my retirement check.

Very unfair veterans that qualify for disability. I would have to repay $44,000 before taxes before I would any payments through VA Disability. Just wrong and unfair. If it was a disability severance it would make sense.

After a six year battle, with the immense help of Congressman Schrader from Oregon, the 2020 NDAA finalily amended the law concerning repayment of VSI monies. Those of us who are 100% disabled will no longer have our monies deducted and Congress' intent was to refund all monies taken previously. Originally, the Bill that finally started this adventure was HB 5515 The Recalled Veteran's Protection Act of 2019 which finally made it through and signed by President Trump on 20 December 2019 into Law. Keep pressuring your Senators and Congressman to change this unfair practice for all of us.

Not the proper way to honor our Veterans

Retiring in May 2020. Not looking to forward to this after serving 12 years on AD and another 17 years in the AF Reserves

Discharged Sep 92 Rec SSB for 12 years active, part of military draw down after returning from the gulf war. I don't understand how the military is able give me funds to leave and then take the funds back??

This whole thing is a big big mess. I had my VA disability withheld for years taking some 26K. Later the VA refunded 20 percent (taxes i had already been withheld). Once I reached age 60 DFAS starting taking out the same money again. They finally settled on my repaying the 20 percent the VA had refunded. This whole thing is just wrong and needs to be corrected ASAP.