Senate probes VA on PTSD
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| Topics: PTSD, Veterans Affairs
The Veterans Administration defended itself against Sen. Daniel Akaka's accusations of “systemic indifference to invisible wounds” in its handling of disability claims for PTSD. During Senate committee hearings, Dr. Norma Perez, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, was persistently questioned about her email recommending staff “refrain from giving a diagnosis of PTSD straight out.” The VA is still processing 390,000 disability claims for injuries with a price tag estimated at $59 billion a year for the next 25 years. PTSD carries a higher disability rating than adjustment disorder.
The controversial email also came to the attention of a federal judge in San Francisco where a non-jury trial was conducted into allegations of mishandling veterans' medical needs.
Written witness statements and a video of the Senate hearings are available.
