Phillip M. Henderson, Defrauding the VA, West Virginia 2016

A Kentucky veteran has been found guilty of defrauding the Veterans Health Administration out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in disability and healthcare benefits.

Phillip M. Henderson, 50, of Olive Hill, Kentucky, was convicted of defrauding the VA after a five-day jury trial in Huntington, West Virginia. The jury deliberated for just an hour before returning a guilty verdict.

Henderson, a veteran of the United States Army from 1983 to 1986, was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease, in 1995. He then proceeded to undergo multiple VA eye examinations, during which time he falsely reported his vision levels and significantly misrepresented his vision loss.

Witnesses for the prosecution, including four medical doctors, testified that Henderson had a Kentucky driver’s license and could drive, despite claiming to have severe vision loss. The VA benefits he received included $697,000 in disability compensation, an $11,000 grant for a car, a $10,000 grant for an in-ground swimming pool, and over $75,000 in VA healthcare benefits.

Henderson faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a fine of up to twice the gain or loss resulting from his conduct, and an order of restitution when he is sentenced on August 1, 2016.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General, Pittsburgh Resident Agency, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Eumi Choi and Jennifer Rada Herrald handled the prosecution.

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and transparency in seeking government benefits.

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