Virginia Landlord Charging For Normal Wear And Tear.

Location: Virginia
I rented the same small apartment in Virginia for roughly a decade. I have not signed a lease in about 10 years, and despite asking, my former landlord has not provided a copy of any lease or rental agreement they believe applies.
After I moved out, they kept my security deposit and claimed I owed an additional couple thousand dollars. Most of the balance is for repainting the apartment, including priming and painting the ceilings, walls, and trim throughout the unit. There was also a separate charge for paint, primer, and painting supplies.
I disputed the charges in writing before this was ever sent to collections. I believe much of the painting was normal wear and tear after such a long tenancy rather than tenant caused damage.
I repeatedly requested documentation supporting the charges, including photographs, invoices, receipts, proof of payment, an explanation of how the charges were calculated, and a copy of the lease or rental agreement they are relying on.
They did not meaningfully address my dispute or provide most of what I requested. I have now received notice that they sent the disputed balance to a collection agency.
I have kept copies of my communications, written disputes, photographs, move out charges, painting paperwork, proof of my security deposit, and the collection notice.
At this point, I feel like I have exhausted trying to resolve this directly with the landlord. What should my next steps be now that a debt I already disputed has been sent to collections?
I am intentionally leaving out the landlord’s name, collection agency, exact amounts, exact dates, and specific location in Virginia for privacy.