I Love Baseball...

UPDATE: Where do we find such men and women?? Happy 4th!

and ditto this year... how I'll spend Independence Day

I love baseball. I love watching it -- whether it's Little League, Minor League, Major League, Industrial Leagues... I loved playing it, teaching it, coaching it... I love baseball. On the theory that everyone gets to name their own version of Heaven, mine is that you get to play baseball every day and they don't care if you're a girl. I live a clean life on that theory (and also on the theory that there is a Hell, which, in my version, is Boston beating the Yankees every day (SHUDDER).

So I was extremely delighted when I read this

Major League Baseball announced... the launch of a national campaign called "Welcome Back Veterans." This is an apolitical series of national fundraising and awareness initiatives over the Fourth of July weekend and Sept. 11 to support the ongoing return of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, an effort started by a group of citizens led by Mets chairman Fred Wilpon with the full support of MLB, Major League Baseball Advanced Media and the McCormick Foundation.

For games throughout the July 4 weekend and on Sept. 11, all MLB clubs will wear "Stars & Stripes" caps that are available for sale to the public, with a portion of the proceeds going to Welcome Back Veterans. These official New Era caps can be purchased at the MLB.com Shop, a way to help others.

All home teams over the July 4 weekend will host ceremonies honoring veterans in their community, with veterans throwing out the first pitches. For games that day, "Welcome Back Veterans" will adorn the bases and home plates. There will be custom lineup cards, with a place for a local veteran to place his or her signature. Among many fundraising activities, each club will auction off a set of bases, game-worn caps and a specially designed team jersey to benefit Welcome Back Veterans.


"Major League Baseball considers it both an obligation and a privilege to assist our troops in any way we can," said MLB president and chief operating officer Bob DuPuy, a veteran who served a year in Vietnam and received the Army Commendation Medal for his service. "Welcome Back Veterans was created to help our brave men and women make a successful transition to civilian life when their service to their country has ended. We ask that all Major League Baseball fans join us on the July Fourth weekend and on Sept. 11th in this grand-scale effort to raise funds and bring awareness to this vital cause."

"I congratulate Major League Baseball on this extraordinary act of compassion for our troops throughout our Independence Day weekend," said General David L. Grange, retired U.S. Army Brigadier General and president and CEO of the McCormick Foundation. "It's a need I don't think many Americans understand yet, but they will. We believe everyone is accountable to the future of our nation. No one can sit on the sidelines. We're going to care for our retiring troops and their families, because it's the responsibility of the nation. If you go back to President Calvin Coolidge, he said, 'A nation who forgets its veterans will itself be forgotten.'"

and

"We as players are extremely proud not only to wear these caps but also to represent and pay our respects to our returning veterans," said Mets third baseman David Wright, who comes from the Naval community of Norfolk, Va., and was among the speakers at the news conference. "Growing up in a military town in Virginia, I have friends and family who have given up their lives to serve a cause. Because of these men and women, I get the opportunity to play a game and live in freedom. I hope we remember these veterans."

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon has been a staunch ally of returning vets with his own support of the "Wounded Warrior Project." "When it comes to supporting our troops," he said, "everyone in Major League Baseball is on the same team." That includes Giants pitcher Barry Zito, who in 2005 founded "Strikeouts for Troops." It has raised nearly $1 million, with 100 percent of those funds going to wounded veterans and their families.

You can buy the Stars & Stripes hats for your favorite team HERE. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of each cap goes to the "Welcome Back Veterans" fund.

Read the whole story here.

PS Note to MLB: While I love this whole campaign and laud the idea and intent behind it, I think the MLB story is just too heavily weighted (once again) to the "psychotic veteran" angle. Veterans sure can use the job initiatives and the college programs aimed at returning vets, but the last thing they need is more piling on the stereotype of mentally deranged and unemployed loser...

And to those who will want to lecture me, don't give me grief about the mental health status of veterans. If you read my blog you know I have lived the PTSD story with our son. Yes, there is a need for services and treatments for returning combat veterans but it's not ALL veterans and not everyone who has experienced combat stress is non-functioning. Let's give that angle a break -- and let's all just celebrate that these guys deserve our thanks and appreciation for their service.

Life After... There Is...

Every once in a while, I get Noah's permission to post an update on his progress... and I apologize to those of you who have read my blog long enough to remember when Noah was wounded and how we (all) worried... and the people like Mr./Mrs. Greyhawk and MaryAnn and Soldiers Angels who helped us through that initial horror... and y'all want to know how it's going...

So here's the most recent chapter...

Noah arrived home last August and he immediately reported to the VA Medical Center and began the process of multiple physical and psychological evaluations. His inclusion in the VA's Priority Group 1 assured that his physical evaluations were conducted promptly, as were follow up testing such as x-rays, CT scans, MRIs. As a result of the lack of psychiatrists and psychologists, his mental health evaluation occurred exactly on the last day possible -- the 30th day. While there is still one "I don't care what you've done for your country or how far you have to travel or how often, this is just a job to me" idiot woman who makes Noah's appointments at the regional medical center two hours away, Noah has received the best and most compassionate care and attention from all the people he has dealt with at the VA.

Frankly, there were no surprises in the findings of these evaluations although there was (is) a great deal of being pissed off on his Dad's and my part that the percentage of disability findings by the VA was so significantly higher than what the Army determined. The [old] Army system of rating disabilities should have been rectified for all the soldiers who were dishonored by the way they were treated by the Army (and Marines, Navy & Air Force, if that's the case). [The Army now only makes the "meets/does not meet retention standards determination; the VA now makes the disability percentage determination -- the Army is out of that business... something they just didn't do well.]

What really sticks in my craw about this is that the Army's determinations adversely affected the lives of many, many thousands of soldiers who were wounded or injured in service to their country: it took money from their pockets (starting them off behind the 8-ball), denied them disability retirement (that they earned the HARDest way), terminated their health insurance for them and their families -- all by giving artificially suppressed disability percentages.

And Congress - that "august" and detestable legislative body -- refused to remedy the injustice foist on these soldiers. While people like Murtha, Reid & Pelosi could find $13.7 million for museums -- including, appropriately, one to jackasses -- they couldn't find an additional $2 million so that soldiers' repayment to the Army of their disability severance payments could stop??? There are still thousands of disabled soldiers medically discharged from the services prior to January 1, 2008 who are still having 1/2 of their VA disability payments taken for these repayments to the Army. Shameful! Infuriatingly Shameful!

Back to Noah. Talk about hitting the ground running: he began college classes three days after his arrival here -- pursuing a degree in Fire Sciences. By Christmas, he was certified as an EMT (that's mandatory for fire departments here in AZ.. and many other western states). He recently received his test scores for Firefighting 1&2 (classroom and practical) and has received his certification!! In between these two sets of intense training, he became a Dad... probably not the first or last guy studying through the night in between diaper changes and baby bottles...


Over his spring "break" he attended the Arizona Wildfire Academy -- AT HIS OWN EXPENSE (well Dad's and my expense) BECAUSE THE GI BILL DIDN'T COVER THIS TRAINING. (More on the problems of GI Bill administration in a minute...)

With the break in classes for the summer, Noah accepted a temporary position as a Firefighter for the National Forest Service. Unfortunately, this means that Noah, who is a assigned to a fire engine company further north in Arizona, is away at least six days a week... sometimes seven depending on the pace of training and whether they are actively engaged in firefighting. For the moment, they spend a large portion of their time chasing down and exterminating illegal camp fires in the millions of acres of National Forest.

Now, for the GI Bill. First, every college should actually be sure that the person they designate the "Veterans' Liaison" or "Veterans' Coordinator" actually has some friggin' clue what the GI Bill covers, what documentation is required, and the benefits available. Noah has wasted more time "schooling" his college's coordinator in benefits. The guy didn't have any clue what a "kicker" is (this is the additional level of educational benefits "purchased" and contained in enlistment contracts), and he assured Noah the costs of the Wildlfire Academy would be covered: it wasn't... no college credit hours & no "certification" (see next paragraph) = no money.

For those not familiar, the GI bill provides (or is supposed to provide) -- among other things -- up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans for college, technical or vocational courses, and other job training. If you are being trained on the job, you should be eligible to get GI Bill benefits during the training to supplement meager apprenticeship training wages. States are responsible for certifying schools and employer-sponsored apprenticeship programs in their states as meeting the VA standards and such... but no one seems to know how to get a FEDERAL program certified!! Noah has diligently been trying to get the the VA to certify the firefighting positions with the U.S. [National] Forest Service (actually, it's under the U.S. Department of Agriculture) as on-the-job training... and the paperwork is stupefying! And it can take UP TO SIX MONTHS to get the certification.

Now I understand some of the fly-by-night "schools" that have, in the past, duped veterans of their benefits and the VA of funds for legitimate training programs: BUT THIS IS TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT WITH A FEDERAL AGENCY. Have you seen the news on California wildfires?? And the predictions for Arizona wildfires?? And the concern about vacancy levels?

And, of course, there are hundreds of vacant positions for the National Forest Service and other Federal agencies involving firefighting and fire suppression. Do you think this might be one of those "win-win" (dang, I hate that phrase) situations? Allow veterans to apply for jobs and acquire skills that serve the public welfare and safety AND that permits the Forest Services and other Federal land agencies (Bureau of Land Management, Park Service, etc.??) to fill open positions?? Where are the people at the Veterans Administration working at this? Or the Agriculture Department? Or even some of the Veterans organizations??

I'm certain there are other Federal jobs that could also be certified as training programs -- medical personnel? VA counselors? Seriously, the process for certifying these programs needs to be modernized and streamlined. There needs to be one place to get answers... it wasn't until Noah had the local Veterans Center call all their contacts at the VA in Washington and the regional office to find out how this happened from the VA side... the Veterans' liaison in Senator Kyl's office was helpful in getting Noah in touch with the people at USDA -- although it took too long to get a response from USDA and the response wasn't exactly on point... and the people at the NFS seem/seemed reluctant to designate the firefighter positions as apprenticeship slots... but unless you can walk into the jobs and do the job without hands on training, it should be a no brainer.

On the personal side, Noah is organizing his life as a single Dad... Physically, he has plateaued -- neither worse nor better... every once in a while a piece of shrapnel still works its way out of his scalp but the stuff in his chest remains... his knee gets sore now and again and the sciatica occasionally flares up although the episodes are less frequent. He continues his counseling for his PTSD -- now he and his counselor talk by phone since he can't get in for appointments right now.

So that's all the news... so far. Well, except for this little guy... who just gets more handsome every day!

Answering Email

I received this via email from a kindly Congressional staffer who wanted to make sure I had seen it. I do not know this staffer personally, but he read my post trashing the proposed Veterans Mental Health Treatment First Act. I appreciate that he sent this along, given that I have also written on Veterans Suicide Prevention (for which I took a lot of drubbing from those who think this is a "bash the military" meme… but who need to be reminded that Veterans – like non-Veterans -- commit suicide – most not because of their service, but in spite of it… and are worth saving one person at a time.) I think I might have scared the staffer off as I haven't had a response… yet.

Hi Carla –

I read your blog post on veterans' mental health, and thought you might be interested in this story.

Best,
K

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: (Veterans' Affairs)

May 15, 2008

AKAKA USES OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY TO FORMALLY REQUEST SUICIDE DATA FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) invoked his oversight authority as Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee to formally request data from VA on veterans' suicides that is not otherwise available to the Congress. In a letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake, Akaka stressed the need for full and accurate data on the issue.

"We will not know the true cost of war until we know the true rate of suicides among veterans," said Akaka. "Until the VA mental health care system meets the needs of those who have served, we will continue to see the tragic consequence of veteran suicides."

In his letter, Akaka specifically requested the following from Secretary Peake:

• The total number of veterans who have committed suicide or attempted to commit suicide

• The number of veterans who have committed suicide or attempted to commit suicide while receiving care from VA
• Information on VA's efforts to improve outreach and assistance for veterans between the ages of 30 and 64
• All of VA's health care quality assurance reviews related to suicides and suicide attempts over the past three years

As Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Akaka is empowered by federal law to review medical quality assurance records that are otherwise not provided outside of the Department.

Akaka's request follows heightened concerns from Congress and others regarding veteran suicides. Last week, Secretary Peake testified that both male and female veterans are more likely than non-veterans to commit suicide. In recent weeks Akaka has sought action on veteran mental health issues, meeting with Secretary Peake, and working with the Senate Majority Leader to bring up S. 2162, the bipartisan Veterans' Mental Health and Other Improvements Act of 2008. According to a recent RAND study, nearly one in five Iraq and Afghanistan veterans – roughly 300,000 so far – report symptoms of PTSD or major depression, and fewer than half receive mental health care. [ed. Emphasis added.]

-END-

K,

Thank you for thinking of me. I admire and am deeply appreciative of the [legislator]'s work on behalf of Veterans. However, I have concerns about straight statistics and the twisting (the magic of bad statistics) that occurs when released (and used inappropriately as in the past.) By that I mean that data is used to promote political bashing rather than reflecting a true and sincere attempt to analyze why and how [fill in the blank] is occurring -- including how to "fix" the problem -- if, in fact, there is a problem and if it is fixable at all.

For example, I'd note that previously released data on the number of suicides within the active military (including Reserve and Guard) looked shocking; however, when compared historically and compared to the rate of suicide within the general populace (soldiers coming from the general population), the rates in every age, gender and ethnicity were the same as or lower than the general population (see, here for just one discussion and quasi-analysis). I suspect that the same might be evidenced in the veterans' suicide numbers.

The last statement of [this] press release also illustrates the "magic of poor statistics": the Rand study actually says (page 1 of the Rand Press Release; more on p. 3 of the Research Highlights) that "slightly more than half seek treatment"... and, we assume, all received treatment. Therefore, slightly more than half (53%) actually sought and received treatment. So it is not true that "fewer than half received treatment"; the correct statement is that just less than half did not seek treatment -- they never asked for it. Of course, the assumption being that if the 47% who also had "symptoms" had sought or would seek treatment, they, too, would receive it. I know these don't spin well into shocking headlines, but it is a disservice [to connect suicides and misquoted statistics] and undermines legitimate arguments for meeting the needs of the military and veterans' communities.

You can understand my reservation that data (on veterans' suicides) served up in a vacuum is not particularly relevant unless it is also tested in a broader sense. In order to determine whether the suicides are "relevant" to the Veterans' Affairs Committee's work, the focus should not be simply on the empirical number of suicides by veterans (and its use as evidence of some "failure" on the part of the VA) but the legitimate investigation must also include whether the suicides have some connection to the veteran's military service (for instance had service-connected PTSD), whether the veteran served in combat, whether they suffered some detectable mental health condition prior to their suicide, and whether they sought or were offered treatment, etc.

This same slant is evident in the headlines about homeless veterans: are they homeless for some reason unrelated to their military service and just happen to be veterans, or are they homeless because they are veterans?? That there are homeless veterans is not in dispute. WHY they are homeless and SHOULD that be a concern are the questions that should also be asked and answered. Military service is not always the cause of veterans' misfortune-- homelessness or suicide. Tragic and sad? Absolutely. Of course, if all the relevant data indicates that the VA could be doing something (or should be doing something) in this regard, we should all stand on our chairs and DEMAND that it be done (and demand appropriate funding with reasonable timetables!) But we all know that resources are finite and that there are things that can and should be "fixed" in the DoD and VA systems (see my posts HERE and HERE).

As for the "Veterans' Mental Health and Other Improvements Act of 2008", it certainly is terrific on its face (and in its intent certainly), but some of its provisions are so over broad -- requiring treatment for substance abuse, etc. whether or not such abuse/addiction is a result of or connected in any way to military service and extending to individuals who have been out of the military for decades?? I reiterate that resources are finite and question whether this is the best use of those resources to serve the largest group of veterans with needs (in other words, will veterans get the biggest bang for the bucks?) Has there been an identified need for such services (I have seen no such study or conclusions)? Is there a larger population of veterans with a need that will not be met by diverting such funding? I also might question the paternal attitude of trying to "fix" every problem of every veteran (or every citizen).

Finally, I find it notable that Senator Akaka is also seeking information on "outreach" efforts to older veterans, but know it's a hollow pursuit unless funding is restored to open up enrollment again in ALL VA health care priority groups that would permit such services to be offered to ALL veterans. And, it goes without saying that Congress must be willing to FUND and commit resources to the VA in order to do something about anything. There certainly is enough legislation [already] languishing in various Defense and Veterans Committees (e.g., legislation addressing the comprehensive Dole/Shalala recommendations) that sits simply because these proposed bills have become partisan in an election year -- Democrats hesitant to support a Republican-sponsored bill (and vice versa) for fear the "credit" for such legislation will inure to the "other" party -- all while Veterans and service members suffer and die while waiting for services and compensation. No one asked them what political party they were when they took their oaths and party shouldn't matter to do what's right on their behalf.

Thank you again for forwarding this. Please don't think this a rant against [the legislator] -- it isn't and it isn't meant to be. It's the result of frustration with a system that puts election year politics (hell, any year politics) ahead of the needs of those who protect and defend. As the wife a retired career Navy officer, and the mom to a serving US Sailor, a Navy vet and a disabled Army veteran, I know of what I speak.

Best regards,

Carla

Some Soldier's Mom

Mister Can You Spare a "Dime"??

If you read military blogs regularly, you are probably familiar with our wild and wonderful friend Chuck Z -- a US Army Major (well, he was a lowly Captain back then) who was seriously wounded in Iraq just weeks before Noah was wounded. I have lost count of the number of Chuck's surgeries -- I think his 35th was in January. Chuck has a blog "From My Position... on the way" which was the venue through which I am privileged to know him and his beautiful and wonderful wife, Carren. When Chuck lost the use of his hands as a result of his wounding, he inspired one of his blog readers to begin the Soldiers' Angels Project Valour IT which has provided and continues to provide voice-activated laptops for wounded soldiers (many hundreds... or maybe over a thousand now??) and for which he helps raise significant sums of money.

Well, now Chuck has added another personal test and goal for himself -- to ride in the 2008 Face of America Bike Ride, a two-day inclusive bike ride from Bethesda, MD to historic Gettysburg, PA the National Naval Medical Center to honor and assist our disabled veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. READ THE DETAILS FROM CHUCK (below) or go to his blog entry for April 6, 2008 to read more.

Please consider making a donation of any amount to Chuck's endeavor and PLEASE forward this to all your friends and family. If you have a corporate donations program, please consider nominating this ride. There is no worthier cause... please do it today.

THANK YOU!!
Carla, Some Soldier's Mom

From: Chuck Ziegenfuss
Subject: From My Position... hell on wheels 2008

I am participating in this, and am trying to raise between $5K (personal goal) and $10K (team goal). I am $3k short of my personal goal right now, and the event is only a scant 3 weeks away.

I am writing to not only ask for your contributions, but to also as for you to spread this information through your address books, word of mouth, web pages, and any other means at your disposal.

ANY amount, even a single dollar is appreciated. This is my personal achievement after being wounded. Completing this ride will mark almost three years or rehabilitation, over 30 reconstructive surgeries, and healing from being wounded in 2005. It is my honor to ride along with other wounded warriors. Please donate what you can, and ask others to do likewise.

Link for donations: GO HERE

More information from the website:

On May 3rd & 4th 2008 World Team Sports, working with The Walter Reed Army Medical Center, The National Naval Medical Center, The Brooke Army Medical Center, The Soldiers Angel Fund, The Severly Injured Semper Fi Fund, and others will be hosting our 2008 Face of America Bike Ride, a two-day inclusive bike ride from Bethesda, MD to historic Gettysburg, PA the National Naval Medical Center to honor and assist our disabled veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This ride is an opportunity to welcome these disabled servicemen and women ,and able-bodied servicemen and women, as teammates and show them how much we appreciate their efforts. We will also have the opportunity to show them that they can still be a part of the TEAM.

There is no charge for any active duty servicemen or women, both able-bodied and disabled, to participate. There is a $ 400 minimum fund raising goal for all other participants. The money raised will pay for all the costs of the active duty participants, including accommodations, food, outreach, providing usage of bikes, cycling clinics,and all other costs associated with the ride.

--
Chuck Z

Tonight We Wait...

There are things and events in our lives that we never really forget... like riding a bike. Recently, with the birth of Noah's son, Thomas, I realized it doesn't take much to wooosh you back in time and to places in your mind and heart you thought you'd long forgotten. Although it has been more than 20 years since I fed a bottle or sung a lullaby to a little bundle to coax him to sleep and then stared into that sweet cherubic face, it doesn't take much to rouse the memories and fullness of love and amazement that come with those simple acts.

Yesterday and today, I have been pushed back into the fears of waiting... wondering... anxious... dreading. The area near Our Guys was hit in an attack over the weekend... a dozen or more wounded, one KIA. Of course, there has been a communications blackout on since then and the mothers, wives, sisters, children and brothers of those serving in that area are forced into a vacuum of silence and not knowing.

I have received a number of emails from other 3ID Moms and a few wives wondering if I had heard anything or knew anything "unofficial"... they know I "know" people (but not as many as they think). I, myself, once news of the attack broke, scoured the internet and news sources for information... gleaning every little nuance from the words in print.

Others on the private forum for families of this Division posted what they had heard before the phones were locked down or that Rear Detachment said they knew no details (and that Rear D couldn't tell even if they knew pending official notification) or links to various news stories... each responding person careful to say when they heard it and from whom to allow those readers the all-important ability to reason away unreasonable fear.

I have even had one mother email and ask me how long it had taken the Army to call us when our son had been wounded. When I responded that it was 12-15 hours between the attack and the phone call, I cautioned her that I have heard of some people who were notified in just a few hours and a few that it took longer than a day to hear -- that each scenario and command and branch of the service has their own protocols and SOPs (which is something the services really need to lock down better and address!) I took great pains to build in this warning to this mother because I needed her not to rush to judgment one way or the other -- fearing that if she thought the "magic" time had elapsed then her son must be safe or if she hadn't heard by now then it must be worse news. And, of course, I strongly encourage all those waiting to speak the mantra many times and swiftly: NO.NEWS.IS.GOOD.NEWS.'CAUSE.BAD.NEWS.TRAVELS.FAST.

All the families of the military are a related "community" -- sharing a kinship with that town in Iraq by reason of the temporary residence of sons and husbands and brothers... and tonight, that community is on pins and needles. No one knows anything -- or if they do, they are wisely keeping it to themselves until it's "official". It is a large community that encompasses many forward operating bases, combat outposts, patrol bases and other installations... all are subject to the communications blackout... and none have been named in news reports so none have been excluded from the worry.

So it's back to the worrying and waiting... holding our breath until that car coming down the street passes... putting a note on the front door warning that if you are not from the Army, don't bother knocking or ringing the bell... turning up the volume on phones and instant message programs... so that each will know the minute the comm blackout is lifted... or until the phone rings... or the knock comes.

Tonight we wait... hardly daring to breathe... working diligently to keep ourselves from the "dark side" of our thoughts... waiting in the throes of the mental asthma attack that is fear for loved ones in harms way. Tonight we wait...

Pure Crap: Veterans' Mental Health Treatment First Act

Updated with additional links 2/27/08

My friend Maggie pointed me to this Opinion Piece (thanks Maggie!)

Sally Satel, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute (just what is a resident scholar?? Do they LIVE there?) wrote this opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal in which she (once again) posits that veterans who receive disability compensation for the VA have no incentive to receive treatment... that, in effect, if you compensate an individual for his mental health disability, you are paying him to be ill.

And don't be fooled by this statement in the OpEd: "Last year the Government Accountability Office, the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, and the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission all urged that the disability, compensation and rehabilitation benefits systems be reformed and updated." While it's true that the GAO and these two commissions recommended many reforms, THIS legislation is not in response to those recommendations to come out of the reports and studies. This is just one of Dr. Satel's little pet theories she's willing to try out on Veterans. I watched her testimony before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee last May and pointed out Dr. Satel's (and others') clueless testimony then.

This scholar (how do you get to be designated a "scholar" and I'm not clear exactly what subject she is actually a "scholar"... Does a 5-year medical residency -- where PTSD may have been one of any number of neuropsychiatric disorders afflicting her patients make you a scholar on the many manifestations of combat-induced PTSD?? I digress.) Dr. Satel -- whose admirers love to cast her as the maverick challenging the establishment (how terribly '60's!) -- has been carping ("that posttraumatic stress disorder is a straightforward diagnosis... She questions... and speculates on why they are perpetuated. The case of combat veterans will be discussed with emphasis on the implications for failing to consider alternative explanations (and treatments) for post event phenomena." Yah.) and whining about PTSD in veterans for many years. This latest pronouncement in the WSJ is nothing more than a position she (and the Senator) have been promoting for a number of years (see the VA Watchdog site; see also, this Vietnam Veterans of America article.) Only this time they're disguising it as the Veterans' Mental Health Treatment First Act (Search S.2573 at www.thomas.gov for brief text.)

They like to characterize this latest proposed legislation as "helping wounded veterans" -- but that is far from the truth. For a person who has decried the "victimization" mentality, she and the Senator are doing a damn fine job of victimizing veterans with PTSD.

It is clear that this woman DOES NOT GET IT. Her AEI biography says she worked as "Staff psychiatrist, West Haven (CT) VA Medical Center, 1988-1993" although the Wiki bio says, "She completed her residency in psychiatry at Yale University between 1988 and 1993" so I assume she conducted her residency at the VA (that means she graduated from medical school and got to "practice" at the VA. Other than her political appointments and testimony before government agencies, it appears her only other work as a psychiatrist (per the NYTimes) is a sum of "12 hours a week as a psychiatrist at Dr. Clark's [Oasis] methadone clinic in northeast Washington." Oh... and she was a professor and is now a lecturer. Oh. Author. Although in her testimony before various Congressional Committees she says she "formerly worked with disabled Vietnam veterans", it is apparent she never listened to those vets. And it's clear she has no clue about patients coming directly or near-directly from the military to the VA.

While I find something rational in her reservations about veterans who 25 or 40 years after their military service suddenly develop PTSD) she has certainly never worked in a military setting when she says, "Judging an individual to be doomed to a life of invalidism before he has even had a course of therapy and rehabilitation is drastically premature, even reckless." [emphasis added]

I don't challenge the portion of her latest (2005) tome, "One Nation Under Therapy: How the Helping Culture Is Eroding Self-Reliance" which she posits that a diagnosis of PTSD is too often assigned to people who just can't seem to deal with life's little annoyances (like minor auto accidents and moviegoers who have seen The Exorcist), but I can hardly imagine that anyone the VA has found to be disabled to a significant degree by PTSD is lounging around on that stipend and refusing to work.

First off, Dr. Satel, no one who has been found to be suffering from PTSD (or sought treatment for it) while in the service has simply been handed a ticket out of their commitment and then handed a check. There are evaluations, counseling and treatment requirements -- in both the military and the VA. If someone has been found unfit for duty as a result of his or her PTSD, they have been through more evaluations, counselings and reports than are ever required of anyone in the civilian sector. And, if they have been judged to be 100% disabled as a result of PTSD or some other mental impairment -- trust me, THEY ARE NON-FUNCTIONING. They are not just sitting around waiting for the check to come in... and they are most definitely not sitting around thinking, "Well I must be an invalid for the rest of my life because the government is paying me to be an invalid."

In her most recent OpEd, Satel says that $2,500 a month is nice for a struggling vet... and then goes on to say how detrimental this disability payment is, "By abandoning work, the veteran deprives himself of its therapeutic value: a sense of purpose, distraction from depressive rumination, a structure to each day, and the opportunity for friendships." You're kidding, right? Lady, you frick'n need to visit the real world on occasion. Other than the 100% disabled veteran, you assume that a veteran with PTSD is just sitting at home and NOT working. I have news for you, Doctor: Few veterans receive a 100% disability rating for their PTSD and few get even a 50% rating (which would translate to less than $750 per month)... for a 30% disability they would receive $348 per month. And you think they can afford to sit home and ruminate depressively? I also posit that if an OIF/OEF veteran has received a 100% disability, it was/is most likely as a result of a combination of his/her physical conditions and less for [claimed] mental impairments [if any]. The VA Compensation tables are here. See for yourself.

The people with whom I am personally familiar that have PTSD (whether mild or chronic and officially diagnosed or not) want principally to get on with their lives... but above all, they want to NOT have the symptoms of PTSD. All find their own ways to cope: counseling... medications... drinking... hard physical activity... sleeping with the light on... a combination of things. But I can assure the good doctor that these vets are not sitting around watching the soaps, eating bonbons and waiting on the direct deposit. Are there exceptions? Sure.

Dr. Satel in this current OpEd says, "Remarkably, something essential is missing from the claims process: treatment." No, it's not. Treatment is available for every Veteran who wishes it. And veterans who claim a service-connected disability for PTSD have to be evaluated by a clinician -- they have to have real symptoms and credible evidence that their service was a cause. Does the criteria for long-delayed claims (25 or 30 years later?) need to be revised? Probably. But this legislation doesn't address that problem.

I am highly uncomfortable not only with with Dr. Satel's 2005 pronouncement that "...the VA must beware of the disability trap: Veterans should not be urged to obtain long-term disability payments for at least two years after their return from overseas. In most circumstances, psychiatric conditions will be temporary. Moreover, generous disability payments provide an economic incentive to remain ill. In fact, work is often good therapy, providing structure, a sense of purpose and social opportunities" but also with her continued 2006 assault, "With a new generation of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, the Veterans Affairs Department needs to look at post-traumatic stress disorder in a new way: the department must regard it as an acute but treatable condition." [emphasis added.] Treatable? Yes... although not always successfully and not always completely. And.Not.Curable.

And back in 2006 Satel proclaimed that, "Only in rare instances should veterans be eligible for lifetime disability..." So, let's follow Dr. Satel's logic: if a veteran loses a leg, the military or the VA provides a prosthetic and the Veteran learns to walk again, should we also end their disability compensation because they have been treated although not cured??

Dr. Satel and the Senator forget the principle of Veterans' Disability Compensation: The purpose of VA disability compensation benefits is to compensate veterans who suffer from disability related to service for an average impairment of earning capacity related to their disability. 38 U.S.C.A. § 1155 (West 1991); 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (2002). [emphasis supplied]

Is the VA a perfect system? Hell no. But there are much more meaningful changes and modifications that have been recommended that will help it improve.

Are there those who take advantage of the system? Well yes. As with any system, once you know the rules you can beat it... but there are few (and Dr. Satel is one) who believe the fraud is widespread. Do we need to be sure that benefits are paid to those who truly need them? Of course. But this legislation does nothing of the sort.

Do we need a whole 'nother system of applying, certifying and paying? Hell No. Veterans already complete reams of paper work and forms for everything they do: getting into the services, seeking medical treatment in the services, leaving the services, getting into the VA system, and receiving care in the VA system. Veterans do not need one more layer of bureaucracy and paper work. The VA is not a welfare organization -- it is a system to reward (as in GI Bill, VA loans, small business incentives...) and to care for and compensate VETERANS when they need it. They have earned it.

Will this program actually encourage Veterans to get treatment and reduce the stigma of seeking treatment? Highly unlikely and No.

This proposed legislation should be sh*tcanned. The Senator would better spend his time trying to get legislation that is tied up in committee that actually responds to recommendations OUT of committee and before the Congress. And the money that would go to fund this useless piece of feel-good-does-nothing legislation would be better spent paying back the poor veterans who have had to REPAY the military branches for their medical severance payments or continue health insurance for medically discharged veterans.

HOW WE TREAT OUR WOUNDED

Updating and Ranting (Just a Bit). I know I haven't blogged much lately, but no rest (or blogging) for the wicked, I guess.

Here's the "updating" on our disabled Veteran son: Noah and his wife M arrived in August straight from Fort Benning and began college classes two days later. Their baby Thomas was born just days before the end of the semester. Although running on little sleep, Noah finished his classes and state certification as an EMT and is scheduled to take his National certification soon. He attends sessions at the Vet Center and is seen regularly at the VA; he is currently enrolled full time in a Fire Sciences program in college and doing very well. M is also taking classes and working. Thomas is growing by leaps and bounds and is the smartest, sweetest, most loveable grandbaby ever (I know you other grandparents know exactly what I'm sayin'!)

I plan to do a series of posts covering Noah's experiences with being medically discharged from the Army (mostly bad) and with the VA system (still needs major improvements)... but I'd like to start with two critical areas that need addressing AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Let's start out by telling you (if you don't already know) that a service member who receives a service disability rating of 30% or greater receives an annuity payment and medical insurance for him/herself and their families FOR LIFE.

Next, understand that approximately only 10% of all service members that are medically discharged receive a rating of 30% or higher. 90% receive a rating below 30%. (Service disability ratings are 0% and then in 10% increments.)

"SEVERANCE PAY". From 2000-2006, approximately 9,600 service members each year (a total of approximately 67,200) were discharged from military service as medically unfit with service disability ratings of 0%, 10% or 20%. These service members received a lump sum "severance" payment of roughly twice their monthly base pay for each year of service. If you want to do sample calculations, here's the 2006 pay charts. For an E-4 with 4 years of service, that equates to about $15,000.

For those service members medically discharged before January 28, 2008 (the effective date of the 2008 National Defense Authorization) that elected to enter the Veterans Administration system and -- after a full evaluation -- received a disability rating (this is separate and is not connected with or dependent upon the "disability percentage" the Army/Navy/AF/USMC doled out) and were awarded disability compensation (VA compensation schedules), a portion of this VA allowance was or is being WITHHELD FROM THE VETERAN UNTIL THE SEVERANCE PAYMENT IS REPAID.

That's right. Injured, wounded or ill as a result of or during their military service they have to GIVE IT BACK. THEY HAVE HAD TO PAY BACK THE SERVICES FOR THEIR INJURIES! Exactly why the payment that is supposed to be for the early termination of your military service/career must be repaid with funds that are supposed to compensate the Veteran for his/her loss of civilian earnings potential as a result of their service-connected disability is mind bending... and just wrong. When I tell people this most people are incredulous and as appalled as I am.

Now Congress has seen the error of its ways and stopped that practice with the 2008 Defense funding bill... BUT IT ONLY APPLIES GOING FORWARD... BECAUSE

THEY

SAID

THEY

DIDN'T

HAVE

THE

MONEY

FOR

ANY

OTHER

VETERANS

TO CONGRESS: DO NOT TELL ME YOU CAN'T AFFORD THIS... DO NOT.

WTF is this??? Really. WTF???

Even if Congress couldn't bring themselves to cut some meaningless shitty little piece of pork (or a small percentage of all those shitty pork projects) to cover all the vets back to 2001 that have had to PAY BACK THE ARMY OR USMC (etc.) FOR THEIR INJURIES THEY RECEIVED IN DEFENSE OF THEIR COUNTRY, THEY SHOULD AT LEAST STOP ONGOING REIMBURSEMENTS.

At 9,600 personnel per year, the number of veterans that are currently having their Veterans' compensation docked would have been maybe 10-12,000... (because some veterans have not sought disability compensation from the VA, some received no disability from the VA, and some have already completed the reimbursement.)

Now someone in Congress needs to "find the money for any veteran being docked on or after January 28. FIND THE FRIGGIN' MONEY. JUST DO IT.

I don't know what kind of outfit you're running there, but I'm certain these Veterans have earned it.

Next post I'll talk about Health Insurance... or rather, the lack of it.