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ptsd Thousands Of Vets Could Get Benefits Upgrade
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allan
On the Net:
Information on lawsuit:
<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_on_...ext/us_veterans
_lawsuit/34861706/SIG=10tok2h4f;_ylt=AqQo1ySDPFw_4SW20IQsdAOWwvIE;_ylu=X3oDM
TFoNm51azAxBHBvcwM0BHNlYwN5bl9zdG9yeV9wcmludF9jb250ZW50BHNsawNodHRwd3d3cHRzZ
Gw-/*http:/www.ptsdlawsuit.com/> http://www.ptsdlawsuit.com/
<http://www.lawyersservingwarriors.com/news...es-10-0125.html>
http://www.lawyersservingwarriors.com/news...es-10-0125.html
see above News Releases
From: Paul E. Travis [mailto:poppy0200@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 10:14 AM
Subject: Thousands of vets could get benefits upgrade
Thousands of vets could get benefits upgrade
By KIMBERLY HEFLING,
Associated Press Writer
Mon Jan 25, 7:11 am ET
WASHINGTON - The military has agreed to expedite a review the records of
thousands of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans discharged with post-traumatic
stress disorder to determine whether they were improperly denied benefits.
The agreement stems from a judge's order in a class action lawsuit
originally filed by seven combat veterans who alleged the military illegally
denied benefits to those discharged because of the disorder during a
six-year period that ended Oct. 14, 2008.
Legal notices are currently being mailed to about 4,300 veterans informing
them that they can "opt-in" to the lawsuit until July 24 to participate in
the expedited review. Attorneys for the veterans estimate that millions
could be paid to veterans under the agreement, with some veterans receiving
hundreds or more dollars in increased monthly benefits.
The National Veterans Legal Services Program was to discuss the suit at a
press conference Monday.
Former Army Sgt. Juan Perez, 36, of Owosso, Mich., said the resolution of
the suit filed in 2008 in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims was a relief.
Perez, a father of five who did two tours in Iraq, said he struggles with
migraine headaches and an eye injury related to a head injury sustained in
Baghdad. He also has nightmares and takes medication for his mood related to
PTSD.
Since he left the military, he said he and his wife were laid off from their
jobs and declared bankruptcy, in part because of medical bills from the
birth of his two youngest kids.
"I'm glad that they are finally moving forward and reevaluating the soldiers
that need to be reevaluated and doing the right thing," Perez said. "It's
been kind of a struggle not only for myself but a lot of individuals that
didn't get what they were supposed to get in the first place."
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop after a terrifying event where
the person was physically harmed or felt threatened. Symptoms range from
flashbacks to problem drinking.
The lawsuit addresses the issue of the disability rating given by the
military to veterans discharged with PTSD. Each of the seven plaintiffs was
given a rating of 10 percent or less.
The law requires the military to assign a disability rating of at least 50
percent to those discharged for PTSD, said Bart Stichman, co-executive
director the National Veterans Legal Services Program, a nonprofit
organization that represents the veterans. Since October 2008, the military
has given the 50 percent rating to those discharged with PTSD, Stichman
said.
The higher rating ensures that the veteran receives lifelong monthly
disability payments, free health care for the veteran and the veteran's
spouse, as well as health care for the veteran's minor children.
If a veteran qualifies for a higher disability rating, they may receive back
pay as well as reimbursement for health care expenses.
To help the affected veterans, the National Veterans Legal Services Program
and Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP law firm have coordinated about 100 volunteer
lawyers to offer free counseling.
___
On the Net:
Information on lawsuit:
<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_on_...ext/us_veterans
_lawsuit/34861706/SIG=10tok2h4f;_ylt=AqQo1ySDPFw_4SW20IQsdAOWwvIE;_ylu=X3oDM
TFoNm51azAxBHBvcwM0BHNlYwN5bl9zdG9yeV9wcmludF9jb250ZW50BHNsawNodHRwd3d3cHRzZ
Gw-/*http:/www.ptsdlawsuit.com/> http://www.ptsdlawsuit.com/
National Veterans Legal Services Program:
<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_on_...ext/us_veterans
_lawsuit/34861706/SIG=10n9jd7fb;_ylt=AqFMTQliSIS3_rn57SYJzsKWwvIE;_ylu=X3oDM
TFoN3E1M2llBHBvcwM1BHNlYwN5bl9zdG9yeV9wcmludF9jb250ZW50BHNsawNodHRwd3d3bnZsc
3A-/*http:/www.nvlsp.org/> http://www.nvlsp.org/
PTSD Information Center:
<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_on_...ext/us_veterans
_lawsuit/34861706/SIG=11ag0afl3;_ylt=As0vqjGTgC5DL8nqslxz.7KWwvIE;_ylu=X3oDM
TFodmVmNXF1BHBvcwM2BHNlYwN5bl9zdG9yeV9wcmludF9jb250ZW50BHNsawNodHRwbmNwdHNkd
mE-/*http:/ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/information/>
http://ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/information/
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