Vietnam veterans sue military in Conn. over PTSD

[The Straight Story]

Vietnam veterans sue military in Conn. over PTSD

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — The military has failed to correct the wrongful discharges of thousands of Vietnam veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, an advocacy group says in a federal lawsuit.

Vietnam Veterans of America on Monday joined a proposed class action lawsuit in Hartford against the Army, Navy and Air Force. The lawsuit, filed last year by a veteran, says the Vietnam veterans suffered PTSD before it was recognized and were discharged under other-than-honorable conditions that made them ineligible for disability compensation and other benefits.

The lawsuit says the military has refused to review or upgrade the discharge statuses of thousands of Vietnam War-era veterans with service-related PTSD.

"People did not understand PTSD during the Vietnam era," said John Rowan, national president of Vietnam Veterans of America. "Now that we do, these service members must not be denied the recognition and benefits they long ago earned."

The U.S. attorney's office, which is representing the military in the lawsuit, said it's reviewing the matter and will respond in court. A Department of Defense spokeswoman said the agency is committed to addressing concerns related to PTSD and has taken numerous steps, including conducting PTSD assessments of service members at military treatment facilities.

http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/apexchange/2012/12/03/us--vietnam-veterans-ptsd-lawsuit.html

[DollarBillHines]

1. We understood it, the VA refused to even consider it.

We knew what was going on, but the Gov simply denied it and looked the other way.

Just like with Orange, they are waiting for us all to grow old and/or die to lessen the payout.

[Wellstone ruled]

2. My goodness,it's about time,

have a bro that suffers big time. Got to give him a call and get him up to speed on this. Have a daughter that works with the V.A.,they are very aware of this and there hands are tied because of Nixon era politics.