But within the VA, either these proven programs dont work or patients are skewing the stats by lying about their symptoms. We pay people to be sick and to stay sick. Punish was educated at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (1980-81) and California State University Fullerton (1981-1984) with studies in accounting and business. Nothing I wrote should be construed as representing the views or opinions of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the federal government. I hope I dont come across as a tin foil hat type, but the gentleman above who lost his leg hit it right on the money. Today I received this email from someone whod like to remain anonymous. I believe hes referring to those who are claiming to have PTSD but really dont. Florida veteran (and self-proclaimed bodybuilder) Zachary Barton, 35, exaggerated his mental and physical impairments to increase the disability payments he received from the US Department of Veterans Affairs and now faces up to 10 years in federal prison. Each PTSD program offered in a specific Vet Center is different, but they all offer: PTSD treatment for veterans is conducted or overseen by PTSD specialists. Whenever I get any chance, even from facebook, I rat out fakers, there are whole groups on facebook full of people faking the system on veteran pages, its sick. Running the locals out of the housing market. visit VeteransCrisisLine.net for more resources. I went and got the VA to give me more and different meds and Im not thinkIng about it no more. PTSD You didnt have to be in the front lines. Thank you sir, both for your comment and your honorable service. I was a radio operator. Glad to see this article pop up on my google alerts again. I used to have dreams, i dont have them anymore. Im sure I have exhibited symptoms of PTSD over the years.. (un explained flash anger etc..) but learned to manage it ( with the guidance of loving God and wife) without helping the VA build its empire by adding my presence. Money makes the wheels go round. Did You Know Anxiety Can Enhance Our Relationships? Army veteran Allison Jaslow also is the first LGBTQ leader of a major veterans service organization. The Department of Veterans Affairs official site references many basic causes of PTSD, which can include but are definitely NOT limited to the following: Combat and other military experiences Sexual or physical assault Learning about the violent or accidental death or injury of a loved one Child sexual or physical abuse Serious accidents Never. Traumatic Brain Injury May Be an Answer. All fake. John answered, The number of veterans so emotionally disabled by combat they cant work is minuscule compared to the number of veterans with treatable trauma-related conditions who dont need disability compensation. He was supposed to lead the patrol but had something else that had to be taken care of. Female partners of Veterans with PTSD: PTSD can affect the mental health and life satisfaction of a Veteran's partner. She works near an impact area. He said he lived with PTSD for almost 30 years before seeking the mental . Just more rot in the corrupt system. Indeed. Her biggest stressor was finding the right tool. Im reading some of these comments, someone had the balls to say you can get PTSD just from going through Basic Training. Quite frankly it disgusts me because my father was a Korean world war veteran and never received these benefits. Ive seen this crap ever since I served in the Vietnam War era. Every time she needed Rolaids, Tums, or any other over-the-counter stomach med, she went to the clinic. By looking at the experiences of todays veterans, and by examining the perverse incentives created by current policies and charitable practices, we can develop a support system more helpful to, and more worthy of, Americas defenders., Editorial (2014, November 18). Feeling devastated, humiliated, and broken are hard experiences to survive. According to a GAO report released in June, some examiners spent 15 minutes completing an evaluation that, if done correctly, should have taken multiple hours. Im only asking because it seems to be the only clear motive behind the post. Changing public perception is a tall order though, and unfortunately more veterans get more money from the traumatized veteran myth than from the reality of regular guys living regular lives. Two individuals reported prisoner-of-war captivity in Vietnam, and five reported classified combat activities in Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos, although none of these experiences was documented in military records and all were reported by individuals classified in the Vietnam no combat group. I guess no more 20 for retirement. VA treatment programs cant be measured for effectiveness because almost every patient, whether theyre getting better or not, claims their symptoms are worsening until their rating reaches 100%. Being a veteran does not give you special privileges. I was stationed on the east coast and never went within two thousand miles of Vietnam. Site last updated March 4, 2023, PTSD: A Big Problem for Military Soldiers in War Zones, PTSD From Domestic Violence, Emotional Abuse, Childhood Abuse. Subject: Fraud Illegal Acquisition of VA Benefits (100%) & Illegal Acquisition of SS Benefits (100%). Authentic, caring, and responsive others are able to remind them of who they were before the trauma and help them to regain emotional stability. VA offered my 100% when I got out(the alternative) and required an evaluation visit. Rape stories, Particularly when young, some people may ask, "How do I know if I am gay?" Some of us have become so skeptical, we automatically throw a mental BS flag when we hear someone talk about having PTSD. This has got to stop. Of course, I cant prove any of this, a REAL doctor would have to check it out. How does the partner who chose to act this way get past his or her guilt and remorse? No combat, but served in combat theater. While researching the nuances of the Combat Vet relationship, she discovered a nasty by-product of Combat PTSD - infidelity! The same I had in the 80s when I filed my complaint. Most betraying partners truly want to heal their relationship but have difficulty not blaming their other partner in some why they chose to stray. They have no clue what its like to have to deal with the fall out. He cant speak publicly because he still works at a large VA center, but I verified his identity and work. Disgusting. (I say era because I never served in combat. Said it was cancer. Call VA Health Care Benefits line at 1-877-222-8387. But in the VA, if a rocket landed a kilometer away and didnt hit anyone, youre disabledforever., John says many PTSD claimants have been coached to inflate those rocket attacks, and other similar events, into lifelong trauma by Veteran Services Organizations (VSOs). In my opinion the most effective way of reducing the amount of Veteran Disability Fraud is to change the publics opinion on the matter so that they begin to doubt the Veterans involved. Hope all works out for you. They dont want to be seen as shortchanging those combat veterans with those horrible experiences and memories (fake or not) because they, the VA, would once again be in very hot water. When Macbeth was arrested he was in the process of using doctored documents to apply for PTSD disability. The small segment of hard core and true believers, but an overwhelming population of what used to call the welfare recipients wearing a uniform crowd. Adding to the problem is a culture of low expectations, fostered by the misguided understanding of disability upon which both federal policy and private philanthropy are often based. Partners of Veterans with PTSD - PTSD: National Center for PTSD Resilience after a betrayal is also buoyed up by the kind of social support a person has access to. Randi Gunther, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and marriage counselor practicing in Southern California. Yes, it is great to give vets a path toward further education, and yes, that may have benefitted many individuals, including myself and my family as a result. For most men, it is the sabotage of being cuckolded by another male who has taken his woman from under his eyes and sold him out as a brother.. No, we shouldnt be giving out PTSD disability for someone that was scared from a mortar half the FOB away. Maiden name is Spaulding. Let me say this: first, I am a real female who was really physically assaulted (MST) while I was active duty Navy in the late 1980s when I was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. You exemplify that standard and so I again commend you for this article. Office of Accountability & Whistleblower Protection, Training - Exposure - Experience (TEE) Tournament, War Related Illness & Injury Study Center, Clinical Trainees (Academic Affiliations), Understanding PTSD: A Guide for Family and Friends, PTSD Treatment: Know Your Options Whiteboard video, Call TTY if you Most of these Veterans dont have instances like I listed, and better yet I have more. I know someone pulling in over $4k untaxed disability plus retirement, GS12 job, no property tax. PTSD in Combat Veterans - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Military She is a DOD employee, Air Force Res, and 90% Disabled vet. Goal is to get 100%. In general, PTSD can have a negative effect on the whole family. Vogt particularly emphasized that there is still much more to learn about the effect of infidelity on veterans. The witnesses and committee members agreed that PTSD is treatable, but disagreed over the types and availability of treatment programs and whether the VA is adequately funded to provide them or should rely more on non-profits. Handing out money. Florida Veteran Cheated VA by Using Cane and Diaper as Props, Lied How Does PTSD Affect Relationships? | Psych Central It blows my mind, really. Over the years I have had many jobs and lost some due to anger issues or anxiety. My faith in trust and love is demolished. The VA never did an initial eval. Revamp VA disability benefits. Los Angeles Times. I myself am a veteran and served 5 tours in combat with OIF, OEF and other hot spots with in GWOT. Nobody tried to convince me I had PTSD, although they did surprise the hell out of me by telling me they thought I was suffering from depression (which, right after Afghanistan, I was). Had a small cist removed from one of her breast implants. The partner experiencing PTSD will most likely have wildly swinging mood changes, emerging experiences of underlying, unresolved issues, and agonizing waves of grief. One actual Vietnam veteran who helped with Dr. Fruehs study was B.G. Their book is a guide to homecoming for returning Veterans and their families. Brendan O'Byrne, a sergeant with the 173rd Airborne Brigade who served a 15-month tour in the remote Korengal valley of eastern Afghanistan, told the committee he was overwhelmed by "crippling anxiety, blinding anger" compounded by drinking when he left the service in 2008. Get help if you need help. I suggest looking at Perdue universities writing lab. PTSD in veterans is a serious issue, but many former service members and their loved ones do not know how to identify the condition or seek treatment. I draw retirement from the Army for loss of use of a limb. This is a very well thought out and written piece. Some hyperlinks in this article may contain affiliate links. My heart goes out to all the men and women who have served our country and truly suffer from PTSD or physical injuries sustained in combat. top Genomics and PTSD The study grouped the veterans as combat, unclear combat, or no combat. Am I wrong? Because it should totally be the militarys responsibility to fix dirtbags like Hurdle.) Some of the concerns veterans with PTSD have that may prevent them from getting treatment include: PTSD treatment for veterans is the same as the treatment for the general public but veterans may choose to access treatment through U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Vet Centers which may have restrictions on what treatment is offered. The VA doesnt want to face this, Dr. Frueh said. What kind of infidelity was it? And my hats off in respect and gratitude to you and all the vets who read and contribute to your blog. This problem is even bigger than I thought. In this book, she examines why our Warriors are more inclined to cheat and what to do if you . My neighbor who worked at the VA (I didnt know it at the time) was talking to me in my drive way. When it comes down to it, there is no reliable "Am I Gay test", so the only way, Positive inspirational quotes are good for people with depression to have on-hand. It was sickening and quite frankly a eye opener as I could not understand how a veteran could lie and manipulate like that. Intrusive thoughts and an inability to stop scanning for new data that could cause. PTSD and Marriage: 5 Things Spouses Need to Know | Military.com They share less of their thoughts and feelings with their partners. Her expression betrayed obvious doubts about this veterans trauma. (2007). Subthreshold PTSD also carries risk. Partners feel stress because their own needs are not being met. The American Legion identified limits on attorneys fees related to Camp Lejeune Justice Act claims as one of its top goals. I have a feeling. What I have seen people push is 6-12 session and that is complete BS and not effective. I used to get mad at people for staring at me or giving me lip. The VA screws people on disability and then you got jackasss like you trying to make it harder for everyone. I have personally met a few PTSD fakers, one being a cousin, and one working full time in the federal government. Psychologists are ordered not to question even the most egregious fabrications. It was not until he make the important shift to wanting to get better, wanting to feel better for himself that therapy . Maybe the Gov can just take one raytheon contract away and pay all vets but your small mind probably cant wrap around those numbers. VA Disability Compensation For PTSD | Veterans Affairs I Sometimes the stories dont make sense at all, like Desert Storm veterans claiming their convoys were hit by IEDs on convoys to Baghdad.. A lions share of the best and the brightest of the young, single and ambitious types finished one enlistment and understandably moved out to the civilian sector where they could pursue a degree and live comfortably on the GI Bill and a part time job. They dont exist to make Veterans better, they just exist to suck and dole out money. They are medically and professionally incompetent. Were not trained. How Infidelity Causes Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - Psychology Today Ive seen Cold War vets who have claimed to have PTSD from things that never happened or, if they did, it was proven that they werent there. VA disability fraud: This veteran received over $200k for not being a SEAL, not being in combat, and not having PTSD. Reviewed by Lybi Ma. I met one gentleman who was a postmaster and in the National guard getting ready to retire with federal retirement and 100% disability and once again he was extremely happy at having struck it rich while there was nothing, I repeat, NOTHING wrong with him. What do you want? The goal of the VA is to provide quality healthcare to veterans and veterans should not feel shy or ashamed to ask for help with PTSD. Itll happen because veterans faking disability sold it for a monthly handout. He wasnt in combat, but hes disabled by PTSD. The explanation is very simple. Were employing very expensive PTSD treatments which our own stats say are ineffective. Male Veterans with PTSD are more likely to report the following problems than Veterans without PTSD: Most of the research on PTSD in families has been done with female partners of male Veterans. I do receive compensation for PTSD but it isnt 100%. One of my civilian co-workers spent about seven years in the Air Force. That I had to listen to him gurgle and stare up at me. I dont discuss it much, but I have PTSD, the only thing that broke me was sitting in one of my friends blood pool. Im not going to believe a bunch of stories about VA scams from some anonymous source. Fair enough. You cannot fake PTSD to whomever sitting at that typewriter wrote that BS! When people have a strong bond, both partners openly talk about their needs and disappointments as they occur in their relationship. Only those with them with the most honor cleaned up that ship. We should be the most honor-driven group of people in America. This right here is apart of the problem, making statements on how long treatment should last as each individual and their treatment is different. Jordan, B.K., Marmar, C.R., Fairbank, J.A., Schlenger, W.E., Kulka, R.A., Hough, R.L., and Weiss, D.S. American Psychological Association: PsycTESTS International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies: Clinical Resources (Assessments) National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Measures Review Database PTSD Information Voice Mail: (802) 296-6300 Email: ncptsd@va.gov Also see: VA Mental Health Site Map This monthly disability benefit is for the rest of their lives even if they are perfectly capable of working a regular job. How Long the Infidelity Has Been Going On. The effects PTSD has on veterans is similar to the effects that PTSD has on anyone else. According to the National Center for PTSD, about 8 million adults are affected by PTSD in the United States each year. And spare me the Not all of them are! line. Of all of the threats to a committed relationship I have treated in four decades of working with couples, the most difficult to heal is infidelity. She hears bombs all the time. Claim the burning of an oil drum, 500 miles from her duty station caused her breast cancer. Sexual problems tend to be higher in combat Veterans with PTSD. Once the promise of easy money is gone, veterans faking disability will stop flooding the system. I hope these people rot in hell, and shame on you individuals defending some of these dumbass claims of these people, like PTSD in basic, go the F on. Yes, Im skeptical. Its completely unleveled the playing field. Retrieved In addition to taking VSO advice to lie or exaggerate, veterans are apparently sharing advice about what specific stories to tell to be diagnosed with PTSD. PTSD is real! Give it another decade, and I would be amazed if the cancer wont have killed our military altogether . One of her friends, Jacquelyn Dutes, had a bad stomach during her short time in the Air Force. The Department of Veterans Affairs has greatly expanded its treatment programs for mental health problems overall, and for post-traumatic stress disorder in particular, said Dr. Harold Kudler, acting assistant deputy under secretary for Patient Care Services at the VA. (Because no information can withstand that level of scrutiny). She suspected the same thing but didnt feel right saying so. And, did [service members] engage in infidelity? Vogt said. His arguments for a lower rating went nowhere, he said. Eventually, after fifteen years of trying to fix the problems and running into a brick wall, I left the VA., A big part of the VAs anger at Frueh came from his accusation that the VA engages in collusive lying with veterans obviously faking PTSD. Investigate? Hard to believe the VA allows this. These folks dont have to pay property tax in VA, there are so many in my local area they are ruining the real estate market for locals . According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, anywhere from about 7 to 30 percent of U.S. combat veterans experience PTSD, a condition that emerges following an event in which a person experiences or witnesses something extreme like the brutal killing of a friend. Im certified to practice before the VA and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. He applied and received another 40%. Not receiving any disability for it but have been told I should pursue it. Weve heard of troops coming home from deployments to peaceful countries, never hearing a shot fired, but immediately claiming PTSD. Vet Centers typically offer the best evidence-based approaches to PTSD treatment. Weve lost loved ones. Its time to stop giving them a pass. Im a Navy vet (68-74). You have no idea what a person is facing inside. He is 100% disabled veteran and gets paid the same as my other family member who never left base. Inability to stop scanning for any new data that might cause more distress. Caregiver burden also includes the emotional strain of caring for someone who is ill. Currently the VSOs reflexively oppose such reforms, presumably because that is what they think their members want. Airline mechanic in Navy. That was what I was told. When Dr. Gilberts office increased the number of VA examinations conducted each week as the caseload rose, he said he worked weekends to keep up without compromising quality. I cant begin to describe WTF happened to me first that night which was horrific enough, then what happened to me for nearly 10 months by my command when I chose to report what happened outside my chain. This article is so wrong in my opinion but also right. dude, ptsd is treated in a short time in civilians? PTSD Screening Instruments - PTSD: National Center - Veterans Affairs I find this highly troubling. The American public is more than willing to believe that fraud of this nature is the exception and will negatively react to a media they already perceive as biased reporting on it. If you wanted to create a perfect way to keep people from getting better, youd invent the VA compensation system., And hes frustrated nearly to the point of disgust with the VAs willingness to turn almost any claimed trauma into a monthly check for life. The first step for partners of Veterans with PTSD is to gather information. Double Betrayal: When the Infidelity Is With a Known Party. Learn more about research with Veteran couples and help available for Veteran families. Before the "internets" had been invented, he owned and ran (5) national newspapers in the United States of America from 1987-1998. Its a psychiatric disorder that causes biochemical and neuroanatomical changes in the body. Ill end with this, there is no simple fix and no one size fits all. He says his PTSD is from being scared of being captured.. Save the money for the real veterans, with real problems, who need real help. Americas veteransparticularly those with disabilities related to their servicedeserve better. The findings showed that Vietnam Veterans with PTSD: Families of Veterans with PTSD experience more physical and verbal aggression. What has gotten me so frustrated things recently is of how some people, particularly women, are using SHARP and other well meaning Programs to fake harassment and/or assaults advance their own agendas. Until the early 2000s the VA systems administration treated most veterans with neuro psychiatric issues as shirkers, malingerers, slackers and whiners. In retrospect, Army Veteran Tom Voss realizes that for many years his symptoms from PTSD and moral injury were not getting better because he was going through the motions in his treatments for his family, not for himself. You are fing high. She partied a lot. The comments on that LA times are a good example of this, where the article is frequently perceived as anti-military or anti-veteran. You know it. A partner betrayed by infidelity may experience symptoms similar to those of post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD Information Voice Mail: (802) 296-6300 Also, veterans may seek help less frequently for PTSD than the general population because of the culture of the military. Not surprisingly, many veterans without verified combat experience claimed intense combat experiences, including being wounded, committing atrocities and even being POWs. A few years ago 50 years after being in the Army the one was told how to get PTSD disability. Murica!. Veteran Army Captain John Kirby IV used the PTSD Coach app to cope, and helps other Veterans do the same. But this level of monitoring does not continue after deployment even though the risks to the well-being of military personnel and veterans persists.. I was trying to catch up to them. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a29992d1e6d05fa I have been in on conversations of other Guardsmen planning their retirement the same way, it was their goal, while no one gives a damn about veterans like myself who suffer immensly. have hearing loss, Call the VA Caregiver Support Line: 1-855-260-3274, Were three times more likely to divorce two or more times, Committed more family violence than the other female partners, Committed more family violence than their male Veteran partners with PTSD, About half have felt "on the verge of a nervous breakdown", Education for the whole family about the effects of trauma on survivors and their families, Support groups for both partners and Veterans, Individual therapy for both partners and Veterans. Veterans who live by the mantra My country was at war, I joined the military, I knew what I was doing and Im better for it seems to be dwindling into a veritable lone platoon, defending a battered perimeter from an army of frauds. http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-veterans-disability-benefits-20141119-story.html, Quote from the editorial: This is a politically sensitive issue, but that doesnt mean it should be ignored. I know other VA claims attorneys who have gotten out of the field for the same reasons. We should be towers of strength, the quiet but proven men and women our fellow citizens turn to in times of crisis. So they are saying the ringing in my ears is worth as much as not being able to work on my feet for more than a couple of hours at a time for the rest of my life. Starting with a description of the conflicting ethical-moral and utilitarian-political forces inherent in the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), this article describes how these forces act to undermine the accurate assessment of veteran symptoms via both institution-wide systemic practices and local medical center-specific pressures towards collusive lying.. 3. For help with talking to a Veteran about getting needed care, you can contact VA's Coaching Into Care program: 1-888-823-7458. They also do more taking care of children and the extended family. The National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS) compared Veterans with PTSD to those without PTSD. Those that are competent and professional refuse to drive out the majority who are incompetent and willfully unprofessional. Why Combat Veterans Are Turning to Oxygen Therapy for PTSD Some effective strategies for treatment include: VA has taken note of the research showing the negative impact of PTSD on families. on 2023, March 4 from https://www.healthyplace.com/ptsd-and-stress-disorders/ptsd/effects-of-ptsd-on-military-veterans, Depression quotes and sayings about depression can provide insight into what it's like living with depression as well as inspiration and a feeling of "someone gets it, Sometimes a woman may have been in a heterosexual relationship for years and yet feel something is somehow "off;" and she may find herself asking, "Is my husband gay?" Hell over the last 10-15 years we have learned more about the brain and trauma then ever before, yet most of these modalities are rooted in the 1980s or even older. He cautioned there are no panaceas for treating PTSD, and "there's no simple app that will solve this problem. Vogt and Kachadourian both said they hope their findings have opened the door for additional research on the topic of infidelity and deployment in the future. The exact connection between PTSD symptoms and relationship problems is not clearly known. Went through combat as I did, had friends wounded almost killed? Yet disability payouts from the VA $58 billion this year, up from $49 billion last year also cover conditions that arise during a veterans time of service, even if the disability wasnt incurred in the line of duty. Give them all the mental health care they need, give them an immediate cash payment to pay their bills for a couple of weeks, link them up with employment services such as Hire Heroes USA, give them access to $25K to start a business or get certificate training in some field, and then re-evaluate them. Burkett, author of this book: Stolen Valor: How the Vietnam Generation was Robbed of its Heroes and its History. You did the right thing. Signs You Are Gay, Positive Inspirational Quotes for People with Depression, HONcode standard for I have three family members all under the age of 30 who served 4 years in the military. Find a specialized PTSD program using the. In the noble efforts to help veterans and clear the backlog of VA claims, we allowed a lot of fraud into the system, and it is pushing away the veterans with real trauma and real PTSD.". Your IP: When you first found out you were betrayed by your partner, it probably felt like the rug has been pulled out from under your feet. 2. Youre the reason vets dont get help! I had multiple knee surgeries and will likely have to get multiple more, the VA rates that as a 10% disability. The system does need to be revamped and quite frankly sought all my personal help outside the VA and it was night and day from what is being offered and delivered in the VA. Now I will challenge on aspect of this article and will call it as it is, complete BS.