Originally Posted by rickair7777

Maybe, maybe not.

He may well have a serious back problem, and be entitled to disability. He might have just lied to the FAA. Each specific case could be different, and each would have to be addressed on it's own merits. But I suspect the government is operating on the assumption (reasonable in court) that the VA disabilities were diagnosed by medical professionals and are thus real... hence lying to the FAA is the charge.

It's easy to prosecute someone who checked "no" on the FAA form, but is cashing a monthly check from the VA. Harder to disprove a claimed disability beyond a reasonable doubt in court.