More must be done for PTSD vets, panel says

[unhappycamper]

More must be done for PTSD vets, panel says
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Jan 24, 2008 17:23:00 EST

The head of a commission that spent 2½ years studying veterans’ disability benefits says the government needs to do more for those suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.

Testifying Thursday before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee about a proposal for a comprehensive treatment, rehabilitation and benefits plan for veterans with PTSD and other mental disorders, the chairman of the Veterans’ Disability Benefits Committee said current benefits could be described as “just paying people with PTSD to go away.”

Retired Army Lt. Gen. James Terry Scott, whose 13-member commission issued its final report late last year, said the government needs a holistic approach that links disability benefits, treatment and vocational training, with an evaluation every two or three years of a veteran’s disability to see if treatment is working.

A study done on behalf of the commission found that 31 percent of veterans with disabilities rated at less than 100 percent who receive bigger monthly benefits from the VA because they are considered unemployable have PTSD or other mental health disorders, a figure that could be reduced with better coordination between the benefits and health care arms of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

At the moment, the two VA divisions cannot even agree on the definition of “recovery.”


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/military_ptsd_080124w/



uhc comment: Your tax dollars at work. Heckova job, Peake --> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=8718