VA change to increase compensation for TBI - Army News, opinions, editorials, news from Iraq, photos, reports - Army Times
The VA has amended the rules for evaluation of claims for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). This could affect those soldiers who already have received a service connected disability rating for TBI. Thus, disabled veterans already receiving compensation for TBI should file IMMEDIATELY for an increase.
As the spouse of a disabled veteran with PTSD and TBI, this may have a large impact upon our claim. My husband's disabilities related to the TBI will not improve, but the PTSD may (we pray every day). This possibility increases our fears that the VA could reduce his compensation. Note though the assertion is made that the rates will not decrease from the new rules.
Please discuss any decision to increase or be reevaluate with your VA representative prior to filing.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Discrimination Awaits Disabled Iraq Veterans
One thing I have noticed more recently is the gross prejudices that disabled Iraq veterans face, mainly in the workplace. Not only are these individuals disabled, but they face others who do not understand their disabilities or group them into one category...not desirable.
Post-traumatic stress disorder generally presents itself with the following symptoms:
(1) Having a loss of interest in important activities, feeling all alone, being unable to have normal emotions or feeling that there is nothing to look forward to in the future may also be experienced;
(2) Feeling that one can never relax and must be on guard all the time to protect oneself, trouble sleeping, feeling irritable, overreacting when startled, angry outbursts or trouble concentrating;
(3) Reliving the event through upsetting thoughts, nightmares or flashbacks, or having very strong mental and physical reactions if something reminds the person of the event; and
(4) Avoiding activities, thoughts, feelings or conversations that remind the person of the event; feeling numb to one's surroundings; or being unable to remember details of the event.
Many of these symptoms do not affect a person's ability to perform a job or function in society. While many individuals exhibit debilitating symptoms that results in them being unable to work, a majority do not experience these problems.
I have experienced misconceptions of my own colleagues, family members and friends, who inextricably believe that a disabled veteran with PTSD is "crazy". This can cause major implications for a disabled veteran's mental state, which is already fairly fragile.
These beliefs can be overcome with knowledge and understanding. Remember, we all have things which we do not know about others. Our first step should be to learn how to cope and deal with the disabilities of disabled veterans. After all, these are some of the results of the Americans with Disabilities Act, changing attitudes of individuals and providing opportunities for disabled Americans.
Many of the prejudices exhibited by potential employers and current employers may run afoul of the ADA, such as failing to offer time off from work for service-connected appointments or accommodating the schedule for someone who does not sleep at night but only in the day. Thus, if you are facing an issue with a disabled Iraq veteran being discriminated against on the basis of his disability and an employer's failure to provide reasonable accommodations, seek legal counsel immediately.
With understanding of the law and the disability, we can seek to improve the quality of life for our disabled Iraq veterans facing similar hurdles and problems which faced our disabled Vietnam veterans.
This information is not intended to be legal advice. Any person believed to have a cause of action for violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should seek legal counsel in their jurisdiction immediately.
Post-traumatic stress disorder generally presents itself with the following symptoms:
(1) Having a loss of interest in important activities, feeling all alone, being unable to have normal emotions or feeling that there is nothing to look forward to in the future may also be experienced;
(2) Feeling that one can never relax and must be on guard all the time to protect oneself, trouble sleeping, feeling irritable, overreacting when startled, angry outbursts or trouble concentrating;
(3) Reliving the event through upsetting thoughts, nightmares or flashbacks, or having very strong mental and physical reactions if something reminds the person of the event; and
(4) Avoiding activities, thoughts, feelings or conversations that remind the person of the event; feeling numb to one's surroundings; or being unable to remember details of the event.
Many of these symptoms do not affect a person's ability to perform a job or function in society. While many individuals exhibit debilitating symptoms that results in them being unable to work, a majority do not experience these problems.
I have experienced misconceptions of my own colleagues, family members and friends, who inextricably believe that a disabled veteran with PTSD is "crazy". This can cause major implications for a disabled veteran's mental state, which is already fairly fragile.
These beliefs can be overcome with knowledge and understanding. Remember, we all have things which we do not know about others. Our first step should be to learn how to cope and deal with the disabilities of disabled veterans. After all, these are some of the results of the Americans with Disabilities Act, changing attitudes of individuals and providing opportunities for disabled Americans.
Many of the prejudices exhibited by potential employers and current employers may run afoul of the ADA, such as failing to offer time off from work for service-connected appointments or accommodating the schedule for someone who does not sleep at night but only in the day. Thus, if you are facing an issue with a disabled Iraq veteran being discriminated against on the basis of his disability and an employer's failure to provide reasonable accommodations, seek legal counsel immediately.
With understanding of the law and the disability, we can seek to improve the quality of life for our disabled Iraq veterans facing similar hurdles and problems which faced our disabled Vietnam veterans.
This information is not intended to be legal advice. Any person believed to have a cause of action for violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should seek legal counsel in their jurisdiction immediately.
Friday, September 19, 2008
3 U.S. soldiers charged with murder in Iraq deaths - Los Angeles Times
3 U.S. soldiers charged with murder in Iraq deaths - Los Angeles Times
In recent news, three US soldiers were charged with pre-meditated murder of Iraqis. The nature of the "victims" relationship to the triggering event has not been disclosed at this point. As the spouse of a disabled Iraq veteran, this action by the United States is disturbing.
Treating PTSD involves recalling and processing the traumatic event(s) instead of avoiding the trauma, to basically desensitize yourself from the trauma. In many cases, the fear of prosecution prevents soldiers, particularly Iraq veterans, from ever confronting the particular traumatic event.
Stories abound of soldiers returning from war and harmlessly telling war tales only to later be prosecuted for murder or other war crimes. While I generally agree that these acts should be curtailed in Iraq, I also believe that knowledge is the key to preventing the problem, not prosecution. Often, the acts committed by the soldier was done in a threatening situation where the soldier had no time to react otherwise or where the soldier was actually told or encouraged to do these acts by a superior officer or other agency (CIA), which would later denounce the act if made public. These prosecutions, and their effect upon returning soldiers, need to be curtailed so that veterans can receive the help they need to deal with their debilitating problems. Otherwise, we are perpetuating the problem.
As the spouse of a disabled veteran, the need for treatment outweighs the preventative nature of prosecution. The acts occurring in Iraq will continue, and our returning soldiers will continue to keep the traumatic thoughts buried out of fear of prosecution, whether real or imagined.
In recent news, three US soldiers were charged with pre-meditated murder of Iraqis. The nature of the "victims" relationship to the triggering event has not been disclosed at this point. As the spouse of a disabled Iraq veteran, this action by the United States is disturbing.
Treating PTSD involves recalling and processing the traumatic event(s) instead of avoiding the trauma, to basically desensitize yourself from the trauma. In many cases, the fear of prosecution prevents soldiers, particularly Iraq veterans, from ever confronting the particular traumatic event.
Stories abound of soldiers returning from war and harmlessly telling war tales only to later be prosecuted for murder or other war crimes. While I generally agree that these acts should be curtailed in Iraq, I also believe that knowledge is the key to preventing the problem, not prosecution. Often, the acts committed by the soldier was done in a threatening situation where the soldier had no time to react otherwise or where the soldier was actually told or encouraged to do these acts by a superior officer or other agency (CIA), which would later denounce the act if made public. These prosecutions, and their effect upon returning soldiers, need to be curtailed so that veterans can receive the help they need to deal with their debilitating problems. Otherwise, we are perpetuating the problem.
As the spouse of a disabled veteran, the need for treatment outweighs the preventative nature of prosecution. The acts occurring in Iraq will continue, and our returning soldiers will continue to keep the traumatic thoughts buried out of fear of prosecution, whether real or imagined.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Widespread Lack of Support for Spouses of Disabled Iraq Veterans
I am the spouse of a disabled Iraq veteran. Labeling my wonderful spouse as 'disabled' is disheartening. The label is not a reflection upon who he is, but the cards with which he has been dealt.
I have felt alone in this world, as if I'm the only person attempting to cope with a husband who has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), both widespread epidemics in this urban war. After speaking with a former classmate, I was given the contact information for another young woman dealing with the same issues--a husband with PTSD. I contacted her in California, worlds away from me. She too feels alone.
We are not alone. While I do not want to limit this blog to Iraq veteran issues, as Vietnam veterans experience(d) the same problems, I am focusing on the current, growing problem and the one with which I am currently dealing. My goal is to reach out to other spouses, fiances, boyfriends, girlfriends and other signficant persons in a disabled veteran's life.
I am here with my advice, support and sounding board for you. In the last year, I have had my share of experiences with the disabled veteran's problems, including their disability, the VA and Social Security Disability. The VA is lax in offering help or treatment to those of us providing for and taking care of a disabled veteran on a day-to-day basis. We need, not only, reform of the VA for treatment of the veterans but to offer treatment for the spouse who is entrusted the duty of daily care for disabled veterans. Some days, my mental health is so fragile that my thoughts turn to suicide. Where is my support group or therapist? Even in my closest friends I cannot confide as they cannot understand.
Please feel free to comment.
I have felt alone in this world, as if I'm the only person attempting to cope with a husband who has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), both widespread epidemics in this urban war. After speaking with a former classmate, I was given the contact information for another young woman dealing with the same issues--a husband with PTSD. I contacted her in California, worlds away from me. She too feels alone.
We are not alone. While I do not want to limit this blog to Iraq veteran issues, as Vietnam veterans experience(d) the same problems, I am focusing on the current, growing problem and the one with which I am currently dealing. My goal is to reach out to other spouses, fiances, boyfriends, girlfriends and other signficant persons in a disabled veteran's life.
I am here with my advice, support and sounding board for you. In the last year, I have had my share of experiences with the disabled veteran's problems, including their disability, the VA and Social Security Disability. The VA is lax in offering help or treatment to those of us providing for and taking care of a disabled veteran on a day-to-day basis. We need, not only, reform of the VA for treatment of the veterans but to offer treatment for the spouse who is entrusted the duty of daily care for disabled veterans. Some days, my mental health is so fragile that my thoughts turn to suicide. Where is my support group or therapist? Even in my closest friends I cannot confide as they cannot understand.
Please feel free to comment.
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