Wounded servicemen forced to sit through drawn out appeals process in attempt to get assistance.
Wired PR News.com — Thousands of injured U.S. war veterans are still waiting for the U.S. government to hear their appeals to get the medical care and benefits they need and deserve. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), after a 2007 act of congress created a three member board to hear the appeals and gave it a 90 day mandate, the Defense Department failed to meet that deadline citing they would start in 2008, yet failed to meet that deadline as well. Several excuses have been given by officials for the delays.
Although the ratings are supposed to be based on how severe an injury is and the duration of the affects of the injury, thousands of veterans have received extremely low ratings that cannot be explained. This has reportedly cost veterans thousands in benefits that they may be entitled to.
Wounded veteran advocate, retired Army Lt. Col Mike Parker, suggests the intent of the Defense Department is to help as few injured vets as possible. Parker is quoted by the AP as stating, “Before Department of Defense got its hands on it, this board had tons of potential to correct numerous disability evaluation errors.”
Policy director for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Vanessa Williamson is also quoted as stating, “Making sure that our veterans get the benefits they have earned should be a top Defense Department priority… Instead, veterans are getting more delays and more excuses.”
If you are a War Veteran contact Veteran’s Administration Medical Malpractice lawyer for free consultation.
Law Office of Eberstein & Witherite, 3100 Monticello, Suite 500, Dallas, Texas 75205
Phone: (888) 407-6669 Fax: (214) 378-6670
Photo Credit: Coolcaesar
