Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

November 23, 2008 2:31:18 CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Military Families Sue VA Over Suicides

Posted Apr 21, 08 11:45 CDT in US 

(Newser) – Veterans Affairs hasn’t done enough to stem the “rising tide” of suicides and mental health problems, according to a class action lawsuit going to trial this week. Roughly 20% of deployed US troops are suffering from mental illness, a recent study shows, and an average of 18 kill themselves each day. “The VA has simply not devoted enough resources,” said one plaintiff lawyer. “They don’t have enough psychiatrists.”

Two veterans’ groups filed the suit, which asks a judge to mandate a system overhaul. The VA says the court doesn’t have the power to do that, and says it’s already working on the issue, having hired more than 3,700 mental-health professionals in recent years. The VA has lately been assailed with claims, thanks to an aging veteran population.

Source Associated Press

1 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • VA Doctor Discouraged Post-Traumatic Diagnoses

    May 16, 08 9:55 CDT
    VA Doctor Discouraged Post-Traumatic Diagnoses A team leader at a veterans' medical center in Texas sent staffers an email urging them to avoid diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder, the Washington Post reports. "Given that we are having more and more compensation-seeking veterans, I'd like to suggest that you refrain from giving a diagnosis of PTSD straight out," wrote the psychologist, suggesting a milder condition be diagnosed instead. More »

  • Injured Veterans Sue US

    Jul 24, 07 4:53 CDT
    Injured Veterans Sue US Two veterans groups representing troops who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan are suing the US government for "shameful failures" in medical treatment, Reuters reports. The Department of Veterans Affairs is swamped with a backlog of 600,000 health claims and is "abandoning" soldiers returning home, the class-action suit contends. More »

A member of a military honor guard stands near a flag-draped coffin in this file photo.   (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
An average 18 veterans kill themselves each day.   (Index Open Stock)
A photograph of Iraq War Veteran Jeffrey Lucey sits in his family's home. Lucey's family filed a lawsuit Thursday, July 26, 2007, accusing Veterans Affairs of negligence in his suicide death.   (AP Photo/Nancy Palmieri, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 3)

Tags

lawsuit • suicide • military • veterans • PTSD • Department of Veterans Affairs • veterans' health care • veterans' benefits


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other US Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »