VCS Weekly Update: Is the VA Redefining Trauma
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Veterans for Common Sense End-of-Year Fundraising Campaign Goal: $20,000 |
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December 30, 2005
Dear Members and Supporters of Veterans for Common Sense:
This week, the Washington Post reported on an increasingly politically charged debate in Washington centered on one of the most serious costs of war -- post traumatic stress disorder, and its impact on war veterans.
At the center of the debate is a sharp increase in recent years in PTSD claims filed with the VA, largely accounted for by Vietnam veterans who are only now seeking treatment for combat related stress. According to the Post article, the increase in PTSD benefits does not account for new claims coming into the system from Iraq and Afghanistan vets, many of whom are suffering from severe trauma.
"What they are trying to do is figure out a way not to diagnose vets with PTSD," said Steve Robinson, executive director of the National Gulf War Resource Center, a veterans advocacy group. "It's like telling a patient with cancer, 'if we tell you, you don't have cancer, then you won't suffer from cancer.' "
As long as three years ago, Veterans for Common Sense argued that a tremendous hidden cost of going to war in Iraq would be the long term costs associated with medical care and treatment of veterans. What we did not anticipate then would be increasing attempts from the VA, the House Veterans Affairs Committee and the Administration to redefine veterans health care and disability as an "entitlement" program.
- A Political Debate on Stress Disorder http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/index.cfm?page=article&id=5968
- Sticker Shock Over Shell Shock http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/?page=Article&ID=4424
Upcoming Events
On January 26, Florida Veterans for Common Sense will sponsor an evening with Professor Harvey Kaye (author of Thomas Paine and the Promise of America) at the University of South Florida. This promises to be an interesting and educational event, and we recommend our members in Florida check it out (and, if you haven't already, consider getting involved with the chapter)). Find out more online at:
http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/Index.cfm?Page=Module&ModuleID=2&EventID=81
News on the Iraq War:- Iraq Vote Shows Lack of Sunnis in Army http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/index.cfm?Page=Article&ID=5967
- Iraqis Want Us Out, says US General http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/index.cfm?Page=Article&ID=5967
I'd like to that those of you who have come forward and made a gift or pledge in our end-of-year fundraising campaign. We're more than half-way to our $20,000 goal, but there's only one day left before the end of the year.
If you haven't made a gift to VCS lately, please consider supporting our work with a donation today.http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/donate.htm
Don't want to give online? You can call 202-558-4553 to give by credit card over the phone, or send a check to:
Veterans for Common Sense
1101 Pennsylvania Ave SE Suite 203
Washington, DC 20003-2229
Interested in writing for VCS?
Veterans for Common Sense is seeking interesting and hard-hitting original material for the web site. Are you a writer or interested in submitting materials? Editorial guidelines are located at:
http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/?Page=Module&ModuleID=77
On-Line Events Calendar
If you have an upcoming event, memorial service, or other event that may be of interest to other VCS members, please let us know. To post your event online today, visit:
http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/calendar.htm
As always, thanks for your support of Veterans for Common Sense.
With highest regards,
Charles Sheehan-Miles
Executive Director
Veterans for Common Sense
1101 Pennsylvania Ave SE
Washington, DC 20003
202-558-4553
www.veteransforcommonsense.org
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