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December 4, 2008 10:30:44 AM CST

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Military Skimps On Soldiers' Benefits

Posted Apr 9, 07 7:52 AM CDT in US,  Glossies 

(Newser) – Soldiers are being deprived of disability benefits, having their injuries downgraded and even being sent back into the field when they're not fit to fight, a U.S. News investigation shows.  An arbitrary and system for rating disabilities has been a problem for years, veteran advocates say, but it's now affecting tens of thousands of soldiers.

Fewer troops have been awarded full benefits today than in 2000; new standards are making it herculean to reach the requisite 30% disability the military requires for discharge with benefits.  And standards for combat are fungible: An official told Edward T. Pound that short-term memory loss "would not necessarily render soldiers unfit for duty since they could compensate by carrying a notepad."

Source US News and World Report

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