Pentagon Disorder

I've seen a few stories like this before but this report seems especially noteworthy as it seems to cover the angles a bit more extensively. It's also the first I've heard (perhaps I haven't been paying close enough attention) that Congress has been making some motions to resolve it, though no definite action has been taken yet.

The gist of the problem is that service members who are injured or suffer service related mental problems have been getting shafted out of benefits because the military claims that their problems pre-date their service, specifically that they have a "Personality Disorder" that relieves them and the VA of liability for the issues.

It used to be a bit easy to dismiss as isolated incidents of bureaucratic blunders that would eventually get resolved but this crap is affecting thousands upon thousands of soldiers, including many who served with distinction, who are now not only left serious medical problems but also without VA care for their service connected disabilities.

I'd consider this report a "must watch" item:



Sadly the "Personality Disorder" excuse may not be the only pre-existing condition the military may be using to deny military and VA benefits to service members. In my own nightmare with the system I got to work with a few people with similar stories that were similarly absurd and they had the psych evaluations to show just how convoluted the military shrinks would go to pass the blame for injuries, ailments, and resulting medical conditions on things like cramming for tests, admitting that you were upset during a relationship break up, working overtime, sleeping in, etc which would lead to diagnoses such as biopolar disorders, major depressive disorders, personality disorders, etc. All used as arguments of pre-existing conditions to recommend a discharge on something other than the service connected physical or mental issues at hand. To see this stuff still happening is a bit heart breaking. It needs to stop.

Here's the on-line text article for the above video: Questionable Treatment for Some Iraq Heroes

(Hat Tip: VA Watchdog.org)