Veterans Charged Illegally by Company Despite VA Warnings

Dustin, a former Army Ranger, received a surprise bill for $4,500 from Trajector Medical after he successfully applied for VA disability benefits. Trajector, a Florida-based company, has been charging disabled veterans millions despite warnings from the Department of Veterans Affairs that its practices may be illegal.

NPR's investigation documented multiple veterans who felt misled, as Trajector utilized a system called CallBot to track veterans' disability payments without their knowledge. Dustin, who struggled with PTSD and traumatic brain injury, learned about Trajector from another veteran, but after a month of inadequate service, he sought help from a VA-accredited representative instead.

When he received his disability rating of 70 percent, Trajector sent him a bill, claiming its services warranted the charge. Trajector's aggressive debt collection practices were confirmed by 11 former employees and 60 veterans interviewed by NPR.

The company, which began as a noble venture to assist veterans, has shifted towards profit maximization. Trajector uses a computerized system to bombard the VA hotline, entering veterans' social security numbers to find out their payment amounts.

This practice allows Trajector to send bills whenever a veteran's payment increases, often charging five times the monthly benefits. Although federal law prohibits charging for initial disability claims, Trajector claims to operate legally, asserting it provides 'medical evidence services.' Yet veterans report contracts that allow the company to track their claims and send surprise bills, leading to feelings of exploitation.

Erik Jensen, a Navy veteran, found discrepancies in the claims Trajector submitted for him, stating he did not authorize some of the information included. Vernell Armstrong, another veteran, received a bill for $877.55 after her claim was denied, despite doing all the legwork herself.

NPR's findings suggest that Trajector and similar companies, referred to as 'claim sharks,' operate in a legal gray area, taking advantage of veterans navigating the complex VA claims process. Congress is now weighing potential regulatory changes to address these practices, with some lawmakers advocating for reinstating criminal penalties for violating veterans' rights.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars and other organizations are pushing for stricter regulations to protect veterans, emphasizing the need for accountability in assisting with VA claims.