AgSGT

Its not that simple, I am of the opinion we should first bring down the number of Veteran suicides that occur each day prior to clamping down on folks claiming PTSD

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that's what needs to happen, sort of as a "reset", but it's a complete non-starter politically because the fallout woudl be.... well, look at this thread for a good idea of it.

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It would be politically disastrous for the VA to misdiagnose or turn away someone suffering from severe PTSD, only for that Veteran to later die by suicide. Something similar happened in the Tampa Bay area about ten years ago involving a Veteran I knew, though not closely. He was struggling badly and reportedly tried to admit himself to the VA for treatment but was turned away. He later shot himself in his vehicle in a VA parking lot.

In another instance, in December 2018, retired Marine Col. Jim Turner also died by suicide outside the Bay Pines facility. Marine Veteran Jordan Hunkin sought treatment at the VA hospital in Gainesville in 2023 and died by suicide six months later.

These are simply the Florida cases I personally knew about because the Veterans were connected to a Veterans group I was serving in. Given that history, I would rather err on the side of believing Veterans when they say they are suffering from PTSD than ridicule them for seeking treatment or compensation.

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In 2000, less than 10% of veterans were receiving disability benefits. The rate for post-9/11 veterans is about 50%. Could MHS Genesis account for the rate of veterans receiving disability benefits going up 5x?

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In 2000, how many. Vets fought in a war? With our increased technology soldiers can survive injuries that would have been deadly decades before

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It would be interesting to know the number of Viet Nam Veterans who died from Agent Orange vs the number who died as the result of battlefield injuries.

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More Vietnam Veterans have died of agent orange exposure than battlefield fatalities. Some goes for the 9-11 attacks on the WTC when it comes to emergency personnel. The same goes for burn pit exposure

So you are equate us to illegals now, awesome

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This thread is a pretty good example of why veteran disability is "untouchable." You even mention reform and suddenly you're literally murdering vets. If you don't give the veterans their maximum gibs, you hate America you fricking commie

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I don’t know a single Veteran who wouldn’t admit there is fraud. I just don’t appreciate a guy who has never dealt with what we have dealt with a day in his life questioning what we’ve dealt with

I’d bet an 88M transport specialist has seen more combat than most infantry type folks. I was an engineer before they had the CAB, but I can say for certain, I spent a lot more time outside the wire than many JTOC infantry folks who earn their CIB

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Then you have the most likely source of fraud, the paid firms who charge a veteran a percentage to "help" increase their rating via new medical appointments with preferred doctor's offices to obtain nexus letters stating the member's condition was likely caused during their service commitment.

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Well then maybe the VA should make the process more transparent and easier to navigate

Stress? That’s a bit different than burn pits exposure, firefight experiences, having mortars dropped on your arse in the middle of sleeping. Does stress force you to rely on a dozen medications today that impact many aspects of your life. I left the Army 20 years ago, I’ve never had a civilian jobwreck my health like the Army

Did your job give you cancer? Did your job cause your life to be shortened? Did your job wreck your lungs forcing you onto CPAP, and no, I’m not out of shape. You want to know why PTSD is such a common diagnosis among current service members, burn pits. For years they said I had PTSD, it took the PACT Act to fix that diagnosis. The burn pits negatively impacted my thyroid causing Hashimotos syndrome which wrecked my anxiety. For an almost two years I was not able to leave my house due to fear of having a panic attack away from the house. Thankfully after the PACT Act, they got me on the right meds