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Bush's Veterans' Affairs Shrink Urged "Downsizing" PSTD Diagnoses! Too Many "Compensation-Seeking Ve
Bush's Veterans' Affairs Shrink Urged "Downsizing" PSTD Diagnoses! Too Many "Compensation-Seeking Ve
$2,527.00 a month for severe post-traumatic stress disorder
compensation is not too bad, especially if such disability payments
are increased annually to offset cost-of-living increases.
But the scandal-plagued VA might have its hands full tamping down
public outrage with this latest caper.
-----------------------------
"Official Urged Fewer Diagnoses of PTSD"
By Christopher Lee
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 16, 2008; A02
A psychologist who helps lead the post-traumatic stress disorder
program at a medical facility for veterans in Texas told staff members
to refrain from diagnosing PTSD because so many veterans were seeking
government disability payments for the condition.
"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," Norma Perez wrote in a March 20 e-mail to mental-health
specialists and social workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs'
Olin E. Teague Veterans' Center in Temple, Tex. Instead, she
recommended that they "consider a diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder."
VA staff members "really don't . . . have time to do the extensive
testing that should be done to determine PTSD," Perez wrote.
Adjustment disorder is a less severe reaction to stress than PTSD and
has a shorter duration, usually no longer than six months, said
Anthony T. Ng, a psychiatrist and member of Mental Health America, a
nonprofit professional association.
Veterans diagnosed with PTSD can be eligible for disability
compensation of up to $2,527 a month, depending on the severity of the
condition, said Alison Aikele, a VA spokeswoman. Those found to have
adjustment disorder generally are not offered such payments, though
veterans can receive medical treatment for either condition.
Perez's e-mail was obtained and released publicly yesterday by
VoteVets.org, a veterans group that has been critical of the Bush
administration's policies in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Citizens for
Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a nonprofit government
watchdog group.
"Many veterans believe that the government just doesn't want to pay
out the disability that comes along with a PTSD diagnosis, and this
revelation will not allay their concerns," John Soltz, chairman of
VoteVets.org and an Iraq war veteran, said in a statement.
Melanie Sloan, executive director of CREW, said in a statement: "It is
outrageous that the VA is calling on its employees to deliberately
misdiagnose returning veterans in an effort to cut costs. Those who
have risked their lives serving our country deserve far better."
Veterans Affairs Secretary James B. Peake said in a statement that
Perez's e-mail was "inappropriate" and does not reflect VA policy. It
has been "repudiated at the highest level of our health care
organization," he said.
"VA's leadership will strongly remind all medical staff that trust,
accuracy and transparency is paramount to maintaining our
relationships with our veteran patients," Peake said.
Peake said Perez has been "counseled" and is "extremely apologetic."
Aikele said Perez remains in her job.
A Rand Corp. report released in April found that repeated exposure to
combat stress in Iraq and Afghanistan is causing a disproportionately
high psychological toll compared with physical injuries. About 300,000
U.S. military personnel who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan are
suffering from PTSD or major depression, the study found. The economic
cost to the United States -- including medical care, forgone
productivity and lost lives through suicide -- is expected to reach $4
billion to $6 billion over two years.
Ng said diagnosing PTSD often requires observing a patient for weeks
or months because the condition implies a long, lingering effect of
stress.
"Most people exposed to trauma, in general, can get better," Ng said.
"You don't want to over-diagnose people with PTSD. Whether it's
adjustment disorder is one thing. It's usually a temporary disorder
with severity that is not as bad as someone with full-blown PTSD."
http :// www .washingtonpost,com /wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/15/AR2008051503533.html
$2,527.00 a month for severe post-traumatic stress disorder
compensation is not too bad, especially if such disability payments
are increased annually to offset cost-of-living increases.
But the scandal-plagued VA might have its hands full tamping down
public outrage with this latest caper.
-----------------------------
"Official Urged Fewer Diagnoses of PTSD"
By Christopher Lee
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 16, 2008; A02
A psychologist who helps lead the post-traumatic stress disorder
program at a medical facility for veterans in Texas told staff members
to refrain from diagnosing PTSD because so many veterans were seeking
government disability payments for the condition.
"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," Norma Perez wrote in a March 20 e-mail to mental-health
specialists and social workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs'
Olin E. Teague Veterans' Center in Temple, Tex. Instead, she
recommended that they "consider a diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder."
VA staff members "really don't . . . have time to do the extensive
testing that should be done to determine PTSD," Perez wrote.
Adjustment disorder is a less severe reaction to stress than PTSD and
has a shorter duration, usually no longer than six months, said
Anthony T. Ng, a psychiatrist and member of Mental Health America, a
nonprofit professional association.
Veterans diagnosed with PTSD can be eligible for disability
compensation of up to $2,527 a month, depending on the severity of the
condition, said Alison Aikele, a VA spokeswoman. Those found to have
adjustment disorder generally are not offered such payments, though
veterans can receive medical treatment for either condition.
Perez's e-mail was obtained and released publicly yesterday by
VoteVets.org, a veterans group that has been critical of the Bush
administration's policies in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Citizens for
Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a nonprofit government
watchdog group.
"Many veterans believe that the government just doesn't want to pay
out the disability that comes along with a PTSD diagnosis, and this
revelation will not allay their concerns," John Soltz, chairman of
VoteVets.org and an Iraq war veteran, said in a statement.
Melanie Sloan, executive director of CREW, said in a statement: "It is
outrageous that the VA is calling on its employees to deliberately
misdiagnose returning veterans in an effort to cut costs. Those who
have risked their lives serving our country deserve far better."
Veterans Affairs Secretary James B. Peake said in a statement that
Perez's e-mail was "inappropriate" and does not reflect VA policy. It
has been "repudiated at the highest level of our health care
organization," he said.
"VA's leadership will strongly remind all medical staff that trust,
accuracy and transparency is paramount to maintaining our
relationships with our veteran patients," Peake said.
Peake said Perez has been "counseled" and is "extremely apologetic."
Aikele said Perez remains in her job.
A Rand Corp. report released in April found that repeated exposure to
combat stress in Iraq and Afghanistan is causing a disproportionately
high psychological toll compared with physical injuries. About 300,000
U.S. military personnel who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan are
suffering from PTSD or major depression, the study found. The economic
cost to the United States -- including medical care, forgone
productivity and lost lives through suicide -- is expected to reach $4
billion to $6 billion over two years.
Ng said diagnosing PTSD often requires observing a patient for weeks
or months because the condition implies a long, lingering effect of
stress.
"Most people exposed to trauma, in general, can get better," Ng said.
"You don't want to over-diagnose people with PTSD. Whether it's
adjustment disorder is one thing. It's usually a temporary disorder
with severity that is not as bad as someone with full-blown PTSD."
http :// www .washingtonpost,com /wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/15/AR2008051503533.html
Re: Bush's Veterans' Affairs Shrink Urged "Downsizing" PSTD Diagnoses! Too Many "Compensation-See
in article 19a78893-3b1e-4d58-a6e0-22ab182247d1@2g2000hsn.googlegroups,com ,
ScarletPimp at jismquiff@yahoo,com wrote on 5/16/08 11:13 AM:
>
> Veterans diagnosed with PTSD can be eligible for disability
> compensation of up to $2,527 a month, depending on the severity of the
> condition, said Alison Aikele, a VA spokeswoman. T
Depends on if they are an Officer or an Enlisted Man, also that is the top
compensation as provided by Congress since they hold the purse strings, and
the top Enlisted Disability Compensation is for 'Home Bound' status. They
are soooo hurt and damaged, maybe horribly scared that public viewing is
repulsive to the public at large ... and so they stay home. Never go out,
never date ... who wants to get kissy face with Claw Man Nighmare Elm Street
guy back from Irak.
Sometimes 'Home Bound' status is for veterans with on going cancer therapy
and they are far to sick to get out, and need some extra money to pay for
delivery of foods, household items, to pay for activites of daily living, or
to pay for hired help that they can not ever do. They are far to broken for
that.
Officers Disability is about $5000 a month ... it is based on their pay and
their proven ability to earn a living, so that is what they are compensated
with disability cash ... since they can not sue the US government, and have
to take a stipend monthly until they die. The stipend is based on their
proven ability to earn a living for their family, wife, children ... set
them in to school ... give them a help like any child gets help from healthy
parents ... not dead or disabled for US.
Military Enlisted Pay ... which is what you see up there, about $2000 a
month and they are on food stamps.
Need a pay raise ... and GI Bill ... Bush veteos it he says.
Have to give up golf to support the troops.
sumbuddie not making dis up
:/
in article 19a78893-3b1e-4d58-a6e0-22ab182247d1@2g2000hsn.googlegroups,com ,
ScarletPimp at jismquiff@yahoo,com wrote on 5/16/08 11:13 AM:
>
> Veterans diagnosed with PTSD can be eligible for disability
> compensation of up to $2,527 a month, depending on the severity of the
> condition, said Alison Aikele, a VA spokeswoman. T
Depends on if they are an Officer or an Enlisted Man, also that is the top
compensation as provided by Congress since they hold the purse strings, and
the top Enlisted Disability Compensation is for 'Home Bound' status. They
are soooo hurt and damaged, maybe horribly scared that public viewing is
repulsive to the public at large ... and so they stay home. Never go out,
never date ... who wants to get kissy face with Claw Man Nighmare Elm Street
guy back from Irak.
Sometimes 'Home Bound' status is for veterans with on going cancer therapy
and they are far to sick to get out, and need some extra money to pay for
delivery of foods, household items, to pay for activites of daily living, or
to pay for hired help that they can not ever do. They are far to broken for
that.
Officers Disability is about $5000 a month ... it is based on their pay and
their proven ability to earn a living, so that is what they are compensated
with disability cash ... since they can not sue the US government, and have
to take a stipend monthly until they die. The stipend is based on their
proven ability to earn a living for their family, wife, children ... set
them in to school ... give them a help like any child gets help from healthy
parents ... not dead or disabled for US.
Military Enlisted Pay ... which is what you see up there, about $2000 a
month and they are on food stamps.
Need a pay raise ... and GI Bill ... Bush veteos it he says.
Have to give up golf to support the troops.
sumbuddie not making dis up
:/
Re: Bush's Veterans' Affairs Shrink Urged "Downsizing" PSTD Diagnoses! Too Many "Compensation-Seekin
In article
<19a78893-3b1e-4d58-a6e0-22ab182247d1@2g2000hsn.googlegroups,com >,
ScarletPimp <jismquiff@yahoo,com > wrote:
> "Most people exposed to trauma, in general, can get better," Ng said.
> "You don't want to over-diagnose people with PTSD. Whether it's
> adjustment disorder is one thing. It's usually a temporary disorder
> with severity that is not as bad as someone with full-blown PTSD."
>
> http :// www .washingtonpost,com /wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/15/AR200805150353
> 3.html
With the possibility of suicide, homicide,criminal activity that can get
the soldiers in prison, no, of course you odnt want to over diagnose
such a dangerous disorder.
You go little bush!
In article
<19a78893-3b1e-4d58-a6e0-22ab182247d1@2g2000hsn.googlegroups,com >,
ScarletPimp <jismquiff@yahoo,com > wrote:
> "Most people exposed to trauma, in general, can get better," Ng said.
> "You don't want to over-diagnose people with PTSD. Whether it's
> adjustment disorder is one thing. It's usually a temporary disorder
> with severity that is not as bad as someone with full-blown PTSD."
>
> http :// www .washingtonpost,com /wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/15/AR200805150353
> 3.html
With the possibility of suicide, homicide,criminal activity that can get
the soldiers in prison, no, of course you odnt want to over diagnose
such a dangerous disorder.
You go little bush!
Re: Bush's Veterans' Affairs Shrink Urged "Downsizing" PSTD Diagnoses! Too Many "Compensation-Seekin
Bush needs the money so he can continue the war in new places. This will make
the war his as well as his Daddy's. Besides, he was probably a lousy golfer.
Delvia
Bush needs the money so he can continue the war in new places. This will make
the war his as well as his Daddy's. Besides, he was probably a lousy golfer.
Delvia
6/10/08 State of the Union Sucks Mon
hey guys ...
see the State of the Union for the President you grited your teeth and voted
twice for ... wait till you vote twice for Insane McCain that will be
something to see - huh ... Bush having 65% negatives regarding his being
Commander In Chief.
So ... hows the weather.
Wonder how BIG a tornado can get ... no limit.
You think 1.5 mile funnel clouds of dirt scouring the top are something to
see ... if Hurricane Katrina can spin out a mushroom cloud 2000 miles
acress, with an eye of the funnel cloud is what is being measured.
The eye of the tornado now a days is only a scant hundred feet and not 10
miles across. Bush says adapt to it.
Wadda a guy ...
So ... hows the weather.
Billings Montana ... snowing and freezing June ground cover.
Just two states away in Iowa ... well tis tornado time ... with 100 degrees
in New York ... Arizona ... 108.
Now this is just 10 days away from June 20th, hump day .. around that time
it is the longest day of the year.
The heater gets turned off ... kinda ... have slowing days and cooler days
coming ... and Hurricanes ... as they have more heat down there and the
cooler winds ask for it.
Killer Tornado in Chi-Town, Omaha, OK City, Atlanta.
Bush and the GOPerps gave you this future, and the Dummy Dems helped all the
way.
Not gonna impeach Bush ... no matter how bad it gets.
Bernie Sander would do a better job.
But Insane McCain is the next President ... 5 mores year of 'training' the
Iraks .. so they stand up and US sit down.
McCain can train the Iraks ... Bush is a loser ... can traine em.
He tried his hardest ... have to try harder with McCain.
That will win the war ... sure.
More training ... Bush can't get it right.
The man has given up. He is waiting to clock out.
McCain sure can train the Irak Sand Niggers ... wait and see.
Condi Rice ghetto progrom our troops are dying for is working.
Dummy Dems give you a Colin Powell, a no body from no where with nothing but
lies, secrets, misrepresentations, and BIG MONEY.
Oil Futures for the next 5 years of guaranteed delivery and the price has
beens set already as to bottom ... what you see right now.
Gonna be that way for the next 5 years Big Money is betting.
McCain can deliver ... ya think !!!
Chads have been hung for the past 8 years .... where you guys been ???
sumbuddie wear blind sea
:)
hey guys ...
see the State of the Union for the President you grited your teeth and voted
twice for ... wait till you vote twice for Insane McCain that will be
something to see - huh ... Bush having 65% negatives regarding his being
Commander In Chief.
So ... hows the weather.
Wonder how BIG a tornado can get ... no limit.
You think 1.5 mile funnel clouds of dirt scouring the top are something to
see ... if Hurricane Katrina can spin out a mushroom cloud 2000 miles
acress, with an eye of the funnel cloud is what is being measured.
The eye of the tornado now a days is only a scant hundred feet and not 10
miles across. Bush says adapt to it.
Wadda a guy ...
So ... hows the weather.
Billings Montana ... snowing and freezing June ground cover.
Just two states away in Iowa ... well tis tornado time ... with 100 degrees
in New York ... Arizona ... 108.
Now this is just 10 days away from June 20th, hump day .. around that time
it is the longest day of the year.
The heater gets turned off ... kinda ... have slowing days and cooler days
coming ... and Hurricanes ... as they have more heat down there and the
cooler winds ask for it.
Killer Tornado in Chi-Town, Omaha, OK City, Atlanta.
Bush and the GOPerps gave you this future, and the Dummy Dems helped all the
way.
Not gonna impeach Bush ... no matter how bad it gets.
Bernie Sander would do a better job.
But Insane McCain is the next President ... 5 mores year of 'training' the
Iraks .. so they stand up and US sit down.
McCain can train the Iraks ... Bush is a loser ... can traine em.
He tried his hardest ... have to try harder with McCain.
That will win the war ... sure.
More training ... Bush can't get it right.
The man has given up. He is waiting to clock out.
McCain sure can train the Irak Sand Niggers ... wait and see.
Condi Rice ghetto progrom our troops are dying for is working.
Dummy Dems give you a Colin Powell, a no body from no where with nothing but
lies, secrets, misrepresentations, and BIG MONEY.
Oil Futures for the next 5 years of guaranteed delivery and the price has
beens set already as to bottom ... what you see right now.
Gonna be that way for the next 5 years Big Money is betting.
McCain can deliver ... ya think !!!
Chads have been hung for the past 8 years .... where you guys been ???
sumbuddie wear blind sea
:)
