This article by Linda F. Hersey originally appeared on Stripes.com. Stars and Stripes serves the U.S. military community by providing editorially independent news and information around the world.

WASHINGTON — Veterans advocates and Democratic lawmakers slammed a recent newspaper report critical of the disability benefits system run by the Department of Veterans Affairs for “cherry-picking cases” from millions of claims properly awarded to sick and injured former service members.

The Oct. 6 story by the Washington Post examined 25 years of VA disability claims and pointed to instances of fraud and exaggerations in claims filed by veterans for disability benefits.

But the nation’s primary veterans service organizations disputed the findings at a hearing Wednesday of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. The groups also released written statements that denounced the Post’s reporting.

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Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Paralyzed Veterans of America complained that the coverage failed to address how disability compensation is awarded for the “invisible wounds” of military service that include post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

DAV said the cases of abuse cited in the Post story “represent just a tiny fraction of the 6.9 million disabled veterans’ claims that are completely legitimate.”

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., a disabled Army National Guard veteran, said sick and injured veterans filing claims should not be stereotyped as “moochers.” She cautioned against making major changes to the disability system.

In fiscal 2024, the VA granted benefits to 1.1 million veterans and their survivors. There are about 18 million veterans in the U.S.

“Millions of veterans depend on disability compensation from VA to help them cope with serious health conditions they experienced while serving our country,” said Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

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Sen. Richard Blumenthal, of Connecticut, the top-ranking Democrat on the committee, said “there is some wrongdoing to root out” but warned lawmakers “not to abandon a system of compensation deserved and needed by veterans.”

Cheryl Mason, VA inspector general, said “there is no massive fraud going on. I take issue” with the Post story, she said.

But Daniel M. Gade, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, criticized the disability system and said VA’s monthly payments to qualifying veterans reward unemployment and disengagement.

“The disability system robs veterans of purpose and dignity” leading them not to pursue work after leaving the military, he said.

“Only in the VA system are flat feet and tinnitus a disability,” Gade said.

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The Post responded Oct. 14 to the pushback by veterans’ groups, stating that its coverage “found that veterans’ advocates, for-profit companies and VA itself encourage vets to file as many claims as possible to maximize their benefits and milk the system.”

But Jon Retzer, deputy national legislative director at Disabled American Veterans, said the Post reporting suggested that tinnitus, diabetes and PTSD are “dubious” as service-connected conditions, even though Congress has long recognized the conditions as valid.

Paralyzed Veterans of America questioned why veterans service groups were not interviewed for the story, as they represent millions of veterans.

“As a veteran with a real combat-related service-connected condition incurred while serving with the 82nd Airborne, I do not begrudge veterans for seeking benefits and services to which they have earned and are entitled to by law,” said Carl Blake, chief executive officer for Paralyzed Veterans of America, in a written statement.

Veterans groups faulted the Post story for overlooking the impact of the 2022 PACT Act that compensated veterans exposed to toxins from burn pits, Agent Orange and other hazards.

The PACT Act was behind a large increase in disability compensation and not massive fraud, Democratic lawmakers said.

“Combat wounds are not the only occupational hazards of military service,” said Carol Whitmore, commander-in-chief at Veterans of Foreign Wars, in a written statement. “The daily grind of service — exposure to toxic environments, repeated concussions, sleep deprivation, moral injury, sexual trauma, constant stress and grueling physical demands — leaves lasting scars.”