SAN DIEGO—A U.S. Marine Corps veteran from Spring Valley was sentenced on Dec. 6 to eight months in custody for having falsely claimed he was disabled and defrauded the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) out of more than $183,000 . Anthony Medrano, 42, submitted fraudulent claims to the VA over the course of several years, in order to obtain caregiver benefits for his wife, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Medrano alleged he needed assistance with bathing and daily activities, claiming he could not stand for more than 10 minutes at a time. In reality, prosecutors said Medrano was able-bodied, taking part in fitness challenges and coaching youth sports. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Medrano learned how to bilk the system through his job as a veterans service representative in the VA’s Veterans Benefits Administration, which authorizes payments for disabled veterans who need “substantial caregiving” and financial assistance to pay for their care. In his claims, Medrano stated he …