Pursuit's Take
VA reported nearly $5 billion in improper payments in its FY 2015 AFR compared with $1.6 billion in its FY 2014 PAR. Virtually all of the nearly $3.4 billion increase occurred in four programs—two from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and two from the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA).
Improper payments for VHA’s VA Community Care and Purchased Long Term Services and Support (PLTSS) programs increased by $1.8 billion and $752 million, respectively. Improper payments for VBA’s Compensation and Post 9/11 G.I. Bill programs rose by $648 million and $135 million, respectively. The increases were primarily due to improvements in VA’s estimates of improper payments for these programs.