Military Skimps On Soldiers' Benefits

Disabilities shrugged off, wounded troops are sent back into action
By Ben Worthen,  Newser User
Posted Apr 9, 2007 7:52 AM CDT
Military Skimps On Soldiers' Benefits
U.S Soliders Wounded In Afghan Ambush    (Getty Images)

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." (More medicine stories.)

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