Sunday, June 5, 2016

Other Than Honorable Discharges to Be Reviewed for PTSD and TBI

They know it happened, as with all other wars. What we do not know is who has been held accountable for service members suffering after they were kicked out instead of being helped?
PTSD to be factor in benefits decisions for sailors, Marines kicked out of military
The Virginian-Pilot

By Brock Vergakis
Jun 1, 2016

Under Mabus’ order, sailors and Marines who suffer from PTSD, TBI or any other mental condition who did not receive an honorable discharge may have that decision reviewed.
Sailors and Marines who are kicked out of the military for misconduct now may be eligible for disability benefits if they’ve been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury or any other mental health condition that contributed to their behavior, under an order signed Wednesday by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus.

The order is the first of its type in the military and serves as another acknowledgment that many service members return home from combat with invisible psychological wounds that affect their daily lives.

“For more than a decade, we’ve asked a tremendous amount of our people and their families,” Mabus said in a statement. “In turn, we have a responsibility to support their needs, whether they are serving the Navy and Marine Corps mission around the globe or transitioning from uniformed service to civilian life.”

It wasn’t immediately clear how many people the order might affect.

About 11 to 20 percent of veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan suffer PTSD in a given year, according to statistics from the National Center for PTSD.

“Keeping faith with veterans under all circumstances is our solemn vow,” Mabus said. “It is vitally important to address those service members whose separation is a result of PTSD/TBI.”
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