ptsd Army Clams Up On Ptsd Probe

[Berta]

The Atlantic Wire recently ran a story Colonel Dan is sending a link out on:

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/02/army-ptsd-probe/62610/

In part:

“This past fall, the Army found out the results of a probe meant to determine if psychiatrists were reversing soldiers' PTSD diagnoses to save the government money by denying them medical retirements. Months later, they still don't want anyone knowing what's in those files. The Army has refused to release the results of the so-called Madigan inquiry, and attempts to get the report through Freedom of Information Act requests have all been denied. “

Many of you here remember the famous Sussman suicide email and the famous “Perez” incident:

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500690_162-4102226.html

“On March 20, (of 2008 my note here)Norma J. Perez, a PTSD program coordinator and psychologist at the Olin E. Teague Veterans' Center in Temple, Texas sent an e-mail with the subject line "Suggestion" to several staffers including psychologists, social workers, and a psychiatrist.

In the e-mail, Perez wrote, "given that we are having more and more compensation seeking veterans, I'd like to suggest that you refrain from giving a diagnosis of PTSD straight out." She then went on to say, "consider a diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder…"

I dont now if the writer of this article is even aware ofg the fact that we have seen this BS before.

"George Wright, an Army spokesman at the Pentagon, told NBC News that 'concerns brought up in the Madigan matter will be addressed' in a separate forthcoming report by the Army's Task Force on Behavioral Health," reports NBC News's Rebecca Ruiz. ("Madigan" is the Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington.) According the same report, three Seattle-based news agencies have been denied Freedom of Information Act requests on the inquiry.

That's troubling because the Madigan inquiry was an internal probe into whether forensic psychiatrists at Madigan Army Medical Center were reversing PTSD diagnoses to save the federal government money. This group of forensic psychiatrists had reversed more than 300 diagnoses, suggesting these were more than just cautious second opinions.”

Dejavu all over again, and I fully believe the Military might try some Article 99 BS on many of our returning troops (and probably has already)

What I mean is using the personality disorder and adjustment problems , uon discharge ,as a way out of paying comp for valid PTSD.

I guess this is one good way to prevent re enlistments and reduce our fighting force ,and to reduce PTSD comp being aid, to save money but it's long term consequences could be devastating.

I only wish I could give some of these people

PTSD

[john999]

They did this crap during Vietnam and are still doing it to save money. PD discharges instead of psychiatric discharges. This has been going on for decades. VA changing psychiatric DX to PD or adjustment disorder to save a buck. It is immoral and probably illegal if you can prove it.

[Berta]

I am outraged John and have contacted the writer of this story.

The info on the FOIA denials and appeals was a little vague in the story for brevity ...the denial of FOIA appeals like this must come from Office of General Counsel, Department of the Army....

You are so right sameo sameo crap to Vietnam vets as well as OIF OEFs ,if they accept it.

I am beginning to think a discharged member of the Armed Forces needs a lawyer to be with them as they muster out.

And maybe a real doctor too.

[john999]

Berta, I think you are right. I do remember many RVN vets who passed on exit exam due to fact they were ETSing right out of Nam and did not want to hang around for a exit exam since they were telling us it could take months etc. Just lies and BS to save a buck. I never got any kind of exit exam except what some doctor I never met said about me.

John

[jbasser]

They really dont care, do they. We are just numbers. They only see us on paper.

J

[Ret.Navy]

They really dont care, do they. We are just numbers. They only see us on paper.

J

Last Name, Last Four, Next

[doogie]

I was DX PD in 1966 and was asked to take a general discharge.

Finally got diagnosed PTSD in 2010 and awarded 30% [it's being NOD since MARCH 2012 for an increase]

If i were to have anymore trouble the doctors reccomended to let me out of the military a DX as a congenital condition

What a joke