Fake PTSD Veterans Making it Harder For Real Ones to Get Help From VA?

Doctors say VA's streamlined claims process facilitating fraudulent PTSD claims
NEWS 4 SAN ANTONIO
BY APRIL MOLINA
NOVEMBER 17TH 2016

In 2008, 23,801 veterans applied for and were granted service-connected disability for PTSD.

That number continues to rise and in 2015 there were 63,049 for that year alone, bringing the total number to 751,499 veterans.

SAN ANTONIO — Thousands of U.S. soldiers are suffering the effects of traumatic incidents long after they return home from war zones.

The results is often a serious and mentally debilitating condition known as post traumatic stress disorder.

Six years after the Department of Veterans Affairs made changes to simplify the disability claim process, some VA doctors say the system is ripe for fraud.

Vets making false PTSD claims, doctors being pressured to diagnose and a system that incentivizes life long health problems are a few of the concerns among former and current doctors interviewed by News 4.

At the root of their concern is neglect for the veterans who desperately need the help.
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Wow, times have changed. I remember in the 80's and 90's trying to get my husband to go to the VA for help. He, like his Dad, thought the VA was for "guys who can't work" and not for them. Back then, PTSD was something to suffer with in silence, suck it up and wait to get over it. It had taken decades to get veterans to understand that they wouldn't be suffering if they did not serve.

There was a backlog of VA claims even back then, but it was a long struggle to convince them to even file a claim. Now this report says there are more filing claims that are not suffering? It's been hard enough to get veterans with PTSD to go to the VA and this report will make it even harder after they have to wait in line for fakes who jumped to the front out of greed.

Blind Veteran Takes Aim in Shooting Competition--Hits Target

St. Petersburg Blind Veteran Competing in Shooting Competition
ABC News
Nicole Grigg
Nov 18, 2016

“No matter how bad it gets, you can always remember a time when it was worse.” Michael Jernigan

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - It only took a split second for Marine Veteran Michael Jernigan to find his target 50 feet down the range.

“I was just shooting a target, with an AR-15,” he uttered.

Jernigan, blind in both eyes, was able to hit his target with the help of a spotter on the very first shot.

The Iraq War Veteran served in 2004, when he was hit by an IED.

Jernigan lost both eyes along with his frontal cranium — he was hospitalized for more than a year, before extensive therapy.

After years of looking for healing, Jernigan met other blind veterans and began hunting with a non-profit organization based out of Tampa, Black Dagger Military Hunt Club .

Black Dagger Hunt Club provides shooting, hunting, fishing and outdoor opportunities for veterans and active duty military veterans.

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Bombastic Passengers Booed Gold Star Family Over Flight Delay!

Father Of Slain Stockton Soldier Says Airline Passengers Booed Him On Flight Home
CBS Sacramento
By Steve Large
November 17, 2016

STOCKTON (CBS13) — The father of a slain Stockton soldier is speaking out after he says his family was booed on the flight to bring his son’s body home from Afghanistan.

Sgt. John Perry died on Saturday in Afghanistan by a suicide bomber.

Stewart Perry is a father mourning the loss of a son at a service on Thursday.

“Most importantly, I want people to know about the heroic thing that my son did,” he said.

His son stumbled on the suicide bomber before he could reach his target—a soldiers’ 5K Veterans Day run.

“He would have killed 100, 200, who knows?” he said.

Perry says his son’s death comes comes at a time military service is facing disrespect. He says his family was even booed on the flight to bring his son’s body home over a delay.
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Fort Bragg Paratrooper's Death Under Investigation

Officials: Fort Bragg paratrooper who served in Iraq, Afghanistan dies off-post 
WNCN News
By CBS North Carolina
Published: November 18, 2016

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (WNCN) — An 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper died off-post on Wednesday, Fort Bragg officials said.

Sgt. 1st Class Grant Shanaman, 38, of Media, Pennsylvania, was an infantryman assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

Shanaman joined the Army in 1998 and served 10 combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan for a total of 36 months, Army officials said. He spent more than 11 of his 18 years in the service with the 75th Ranger Regiment.

“Sgt. 1st Class Grant Shanaman was an American Paratrooper, a combat veteran, and a selfless servant to our Nation,” said Col. Pat Work, commander of the 2nd BCT. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
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History Made At Fort Hood, Female Soldier Cavalry Scout

Fort Hood soldier becomes first woman cavalry scout in U.S. Army 
FOX 7 News
By: Jennifer Kendall
NOV 18 2016

“I've wanted to be a combat MOS since I was about seven,” Landes said.

For the first time in history a woman graduated as a cavalry scout in the U.S. Army.

Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood

Five and a half years ago Sgt. Kayci Landes became a soldier, but there were still some restrictions for females in the military and her dream of serving in a military occupational specialty seemed like it would never come true.

Back in March, the army announced it would begin integrating women into all military occupations specialties. Meaning they could begin serving in the infantry, armor and special forces.
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