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November 21, 2008 11:29:58 PM CST

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VA Doctor Discouraged Post-Traumatic Diagnoses

Posted May 16, 08 9:55 AM CDT in US 

(Newser) – 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.

A Veterans Administration spokesman insisted the email did not reflect government policy. Hundreds of thousands of troops have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan mentally scarred, and their compensation costs will be in the billions. "Many veterans believe that the government doesn't want to pay out the disability that comes along with a PTSD diagnosis," said the head of a veterans group. "This revelation will not allay their concerns."

Source Washington Post

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Barack Obama looks at a show of hands for those diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) while participating in an MTV roundtable with Iraq war veterans.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Jesus Bocanegra, 24, who suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, stands in front a painting of himself done while he was serving in Iraq.   (Getty Images)
Veterans Affairs Secretary nominee James Peake, seen here in a 2007 file photo, said the email had been "repudiated at the highest level of our organization."   (AP Photo)
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veterans • mental health • PTSD • Iraq veterans • Department of Veterans Affairs • veterans' health care • Afghanistan veterans • veterans' benefits • James B. Peake


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