larger view

Questionable Treatment for Some Iraq Hero’s

Veteran Care is Under Review as More Than 22,000 Are Discharged with 'Pre-Existing' Personality Disorder, Which Some Say Developed During War. This diagnosis has resulted in these soldiers losing medical benefits. War is a very ugly thing seeing people bleeding to death and dying is not something anyone is ever going to forget.  Then to come home from the war
and have your benefits stripped from you due to “Pre-Existing Personality Disorder” is just wrong.
It is known as a "Chapter 5-13" — "separation because of personality disorder." The Army defines it as a pre-existing "maladaptive pattern of behavior of long duration" that interferes with the soldier's ability to
perform his duties.
In practical terms, this diagnosis means the personality disorder existed before military service, and therefore medical care and disability payments are not the military's responsibility. But some veterans and veterans' advocates have been vocal in their belief that personality disorder is being misdiagnosed in combat veterans.
The Dave Matthews Band is urging fans to push to Congress to do more to ensure that U.S. troops coming home traumatized by combat get the help they need. There is a petition on the bands website urging you to sign to help protect our Veterans. They are asking you to go to this link:
http://web.davematthewsband...  and sign the petition which asks the Secretary of Defense to formally report in detail to the American public on each of the issues raised in these allegations and confirm that
all of our servicemen and women are receiving the medical benefits they have rightfully earned. If this is not provided, or if the Secretary of Defense's report is inadequate, Then they strongly urge that Congress hold
hearings to allow our veterans to speak. This war has many tragedies; they want to do whatever they can to make sure this is not another one. Please join them.  Let’s protect our veterans for all that they have done for us.

The Pentagon and Congress are reviewing possible changes to the military’s much-criticized mental health system. “It just struck me as profound injustice that someone who had given so much of themselves and clearly showed such a quality of personality that the gratitude we’re showing them was basically a dishonorable discharge.” Matthews said.