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Federal 'holidays' like Veterans Day and Memorial Day serve to remind us of those individuals who have made tremendous sacrifices for our country. Unfortunately, as a nation, we do not provide adequate support in return for their service. Even looking at contemporary examples such as the Afghani and Iraq wars, there has been inadequate equipment provisions including the inability of the Defense Department to provide sufficient helmuts that limit brain injuries, or the inadequate supply of armored vehicles to protect against IED's. If our support for the troops while they're overseas is abysmal, the situations many of them face upon return to the US is bad as well. The SF Chronicle posted an opinion piece today on the psychological toll war takes on soldiers, and the inefficiency of the Veteran's Affairs office in providing services and clearing claims. The statistics below reflect the poor commitment our country makes when it chooses to send our troops to war. We keep careful count of the number of troop deaths, but what about life-changing injuries? With the overly bureaucratized VA operating with incredible delays, coupled with funding cuts for social programs, our returning troops are in for some challenging days. Some numbers we should not forget -- The suicide rate of veterans is at least three times the national suicide rate. In 2005, the suicide rate for veterans 18- to 24-years-old was three to four times higher than non-veterans. -- About 154,000 veterans nationwide are homeless on any given night. One-fourth of the homeless population is veterans. -- There are more homeless Vietnam veterans than the number of soldiers who were killed during that war. -- It takes at least 5.5 years, on average, to resolve a benefit claim with the Veteran's Administration. -- More than 600,000 unresolved claims are backlogged with the Veteran's Administration. -- Approximately 18.5 percent of service members who have returned from Afghanistan and Iraq currently have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or depression. -- 19.5 percent of these veterans report experiencing traumatic brain injury. -- Roughly half of those who need treatment seek it, but only slightly more than half of those who receive treatment receive at least minimally adequate care, according to an April 2008 Rand Report. Sources: Veterans Administration, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Rand
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I like when people post stats, but what I want to know is what you plan to do about it. I ask this because the vets that are homeless need advocates, and I personally am an advocate for more vets than I can handle and need help.Yes, there are a lot of homeless vets. There are also a lot of empty beds at various homes for veterans. People need to step forward and volunteer to be an advocate for vets and bring the services and vets together. Not just quote stats and complain about the situation. Also, you must realize that many are homeless because that is what they want for whatever reason. I have lost count on the number of men who I have found space in the local veterans home (nice rooms, by the way. Either 2 or 4 to a room) only to find them and their belongings camping out in the same place I found them only the week before. And because of Donnalson v. O'Connor, if they are not presenting a clear danger to themselves or others, you have to leave them there.
The VA was quick to resolve my claim and quick to resolve the claims of anyone who I have advocated for. You must realize that there are many phony claims being presented by those who don't deserve services and those are also being counted in your stats. I don't believe your 5 year stat for resolving legitimate claims. I have a close friend who showed signs of illness due to agent orange exposure and he was taken into the VA hospital in Loma Linda in a couple of days and his claim was processed and treatment was ordered in less than a week. When I come across a vet of any era including now who is sick, they have received treatment very quickly. I am talking hundreds of vets I have had personal experience with, so I don't know where that 5.5 year stat is coming from unless they are counting phony claims which must be litigated. I think Rand is counting all claims legit or not. That is a bit misleading. Those unresolved claims also include many phony claims. Send me the contact info for any vet that you know who is getting denied. I will see what I can do.
18.5% with PTSD seems low. The rate for Vietnam was nearly 40%. Perhaps with an all volunteer service, the current vets are less prone to PTSD. But that one seems low. Almost no Vietnam vets suffered from brain trama and lived. The 19.5% number is a testimony to how much better medical care had gotten in the field. We usually pronounced head trama dead in the field before we put them on the EVAC.
My bottom line is now that you posted the numbers, what do you plan do do about it? If you need guidance, then open the phone book, look for a local chapter of the VFW, the American Legion, Disabled American Vets or the Salvation Army. They all have programs that you can volunteer for to help. Or send me an email and I will send you a number and perhaps a contact name. It's one thing to point out a problem, but it's quite another to get involved on the grass roots level and help. You don't have time you say? You have days off, don't you? I know people who work 50-70 hours per week and still find time.
If I seem a little over-sensitive, you're right. I am tired of veterans being used as political pawns by either side. What frys me is that it always seems to be the left that complains about the way veterans are treated, but they don't put their money where their mouth is. I live in a fairly liberal area of a liberal state. I should be able to name a few liberals who are volunteering to help vets with me. You know what? I can't.