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What are your thoughts given some basic info? Fraud, Criminal Intent, PTSD & psychology.
An Army infantry soldier completes a first term 4 year enlistment, excited following 9/11. Possibly serves only one overseas tour, and never fires his weapon in combat. Gets out of Army following enlistment and joins Army Guard. Within first year of guard duty (upon orders for overseas tour) claims PTSD threatens to kill his comrades. Is released from duty.
Member has tried for 12 years to get benefits, and finally receives 100% disability. Claims to his family that his PTSD disease is cured. Does not follow psychologists prescriptions, as they are not really needed.
Was member fit for duty when enlisting in the Army Guard? Or did this member fraudulently join having pre-existing condition?
Can this member have concealed carry and go hunting, when he claims PTSD for gunfire?
would you consider this member to be defrauding the government and taxpayer?
Soldier has lied to family members claiming to be heroic sniper, only to reveal as lies later, having never fired his weapon in actual combat. Possibly used similar lies to VA psychologist.
How would you approach situation? VA does not seem to care, and does not offer path for investigation.
An Army infantry soldier completes a first term 4 year enlistment, excited following 9/11. Possibly serves only one overseas tour, and never fires his weapon in combat. Gets out of Army following enlistment and joins Army Guard. Within first year of guard duty (upon orders for overseas tour) claims PTSD threatens to kill his comrades. Is released from duty.
Member has tried for 12 years to get benefits, and finally receives 100% disability. Claims to his family that his PTSD disease is cured. Does not follow psychologists prescriptions, as they are not really needed.
Was member fit for duty when enlisting in the Army Guard? Or did this member fraudulently join having pre-existing condition?
Can this member have concealed carry and go hunting, when he claims PTSD for gunfire?
would you consider this member to be defrauding the government and taxpayer?
Soldier has lied to family members claiming to be heroic sniper, only to reveal as lies later, having never fired his weapon in actual combat. Possibly used similar lies to VA psychologist.
How would you approach situation? VA does not seem to care, and does not offer path for investigation.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
PTSD
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 460
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How is it any of your concern? Why don’t you live your life and let him live his?
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GySgt Michael Payne
Yes, unfortunately, it does effect everyone that is at the VA seeking legitimate help... If you have 5000 looking for a check, but other wise healthy, yes, because now the Doctors have to put them in the rotation and it take twice as long to see a Doctor. If you'll spend enough time there you will see them, today is the worst day of their life until they get into the parking lot and its all laughter and fun... I see it every day...
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SP5 Ron Rowland
Mine was also. Thanks for the Internet, I was able to contact a few of my fellow soldiers, many were dead! I was able to create the proof that the VA needed. Some wrote letters and had them notarize. I re-created my records! I had any hours as a door gunner, but could not get those records.
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PFC Martin Potashner
when i went to see a psychiatrist all he talked about was getting rid of my guns that's the help I got for ptsd
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I believe the defrauding of VA benefits you mention happens more times than not. It's also called malingering.
The following is not just my opinion but, fact:
POST 9/11 vets w PTSD have always had LOWEST number of deaths by suicide but, the highest number of VA PTSD grants. With the exception of Special Ops few Post 9/11 active duty saw or did anything that caused PTSD traits. Both IRAQ and AFGHAN Wars have the lowest wounded with Purple Hearts but, have filed for more VA disabilities than all of WWII, Korean & Vietnam War Veterans combined.
14 of the 17 vets who Suicide on a daily basis are Over age 50 Most often Vietnam War Vets Not using the VA.
If DOD returned to proper mental health screenings of recruits for active duty, the DOD would eliminate much of the defrauding taking place now at this astronomical rate. This includes females who entered military service looking for discrimination and sexual harassment. (yes, this does happen as well)
WWII, Korean and Vietnam...etc., Veterans had far more success in transitioning and living a decent life WITHOUT VA PTSD CARE AND/OR VA DISABILITY CHECK. Past war Veterans actually dealt with unthinkable trauma and I’m positive they suffered but, most did find some peace and happiness.
Today there are many VSO's that have incredible Wash DC lobbying capabilities for increasing Post 911 Veterans VA benefits. These same VSO's will not help any WWII, Korean & Vietnam War Veterans even though they advertise to the general public that they are a non profit to assist Veterans and not specifying which group of Veterans they assist. (more defrauding of Americans)
The following is not just my opinion but, fact:
POST 9/11 vets w PTSD have always had LOWEST number of deaths by suicide but, the highest number of VA PTSD grants. With the exception of Special Ops few Post 9/11 active duty saw or did anything that caused PTSD traits. Both IRAQ and AFGHAN Wars have the lowest wounded with Purple Hearts but, have filed for more VA disabilities than all of WWII, Korean & Vietnam War Veterans combined.
14 of the 17 vets who Suicide on a daily basis are Over age 50 Most often Vietnam War Vets Not using the VA.
If DOD returned to proper mental health screenings of recruits for active duty, the DOD would eliminate much of the defrauding taking place now at this astronomical rate. This includes females who entered military service looking for discrimination and sexual harassment. (yes, this does happen as well)
WWII, Korean and Vietnam...etc., Veterans had far more success in transitioning and living a decent life WITHOUT VA PTSD CARE AND/OR VA DISABILITY CHECK. Past war Veterans actually dealt with unthinkable trauma and I’m positive they suffered but, most did find some peace and happiness.
Today there are many VSO's that have incredible Wash DC lobbying capabilities for increasing Post 911 Veterans VA benefits. These same VSO's will not help any WWII, Korean & Vietnam War Veterans even though they advertise to the general public that they are a non profit to assist Veterans and not specifying which group of Veterans they assist. (more defrauding of Americans)
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GySgt Michael Payne
Well said, Even the USDOL has put moneys out there for Vietnam Vets as a priority. So someone in the government see the need but like everything else, the different Departments of our Government do not talk to each other...
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You should contact the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) they’re the ones who handle benefits and claims.
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I was not in combat. I do not have PTSD. I did experience anxiety for several years based on the constant briefings regarding the IEDs that were going to blow every one of us to pieces. Every day, several times per day. Afterwards, if I found myself in congested traffic I would almost hyperventilate. It got better as time went on.
My point is that having never fired a weapon in combat isn't an automatic dis qualifier for PTSD.
I'm not sure why you are taking point on trying to bust his bubble. Does his diagnosis of PTSD take away from you somehow? What do you have at stake in his story?
My point is that having never fired a weapon in combat isn't an automatic dis qualifier for PTSD.
I'm not sure why you are taking point on trying to bust his bubble. Does his diagnosis of PTSD take away from you somehow? What do you have at stake in his story?
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MSgt B Grimes
PTSD is rampant, it is the new easy out, and/or money maker. Yes it is real, and for some very disturbing. For many though, it has become the new answer for easy money when departing military service. This is a sad truth. Many people on this site are asking me 'why I care', 'what is my stake', or telling me to just let these people go. This is the real problem. I do care. If someone is lying or purposefully defrauding the government, they are stealing. And not just from the government, from you and me, the tax payer. Our government is not only broke, it is broken. I swore an oath to defend my country, not to steal from it. I will continue this oath until I die.
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LTC Alea Morningstar
Your symptoms are called combat stress, not PTSD and they fade with time and are a normal reaction post deployment.
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If you think he is committing fraud, contact the VA OIG and report it. they will investigate this. If they find it to be true they will take actions.
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SSgt George Wadsworth
Correct
OIG is used to keep the Dept of VA including all their tentacles and actions in check.
OIG is used to keep the Dept of VA including all their tentacles and actions in check.
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I see it all the time at the VA, Soldiers I even deployed with that did not see any combat, any disturbing sites, stayed on the FOB there whole tour and b they are 100 percent PTSD. I’ve even written sworn statements about the Soldiers experiences and it did no good. The command did everything in there b power to stop this madness but it always ends up with the VA team that they had, the teams at the VA are under a lot of pressure due to a lack of knowledge of the individual Soldier experience in the combat zone. So it ends up the benefit of the doubt going to the Soldier either because there compensation hearing was done by a civilian doctor whole has no experience and looks at the note right before seeing the Soldier for the first time it’s very sad. Need a team of specialist, Veterans who were there and know how to read personal file, medical providers that are qualified in PTSD, and a change of the rating system. I wish I could be on that team to make sure my brothers and sisters are getting what they need financially and medically. Thanks 1SG (Ret) joseph schicker
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FROM THE IG DESK: Be aware I served as Inspector General for both the 1st Cav. Division as well as 63rd Regional Readiness Command. "Thoughts" or "Opinions" in a public forum won't fix these problems. In reference to this specific issue: "Falsely claiming PTSD for VA benefits" - If you have specific and truthful knowledge (or strongly suspect such) of "Fraud, Waste, and Abuse," the proper channels for addressing this matter are as follows:
""If you suspect fraud, waste, or abuse impacting Veterans or VA programs or if you think there might be an issue with a VHA healthcare claim or bill, a service you received, or VA community care or other healthcare provider please contact the VHA Integrity and Compliance Helpline.
Toll-free phone: [login to see] (VHA-HELP) 24 hours/7 days a week
Email: [login to see]
Mailing Address:
ATTN: Integrity and Compliance Helpline (10OIC)
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20420 ""
""If you suspect fraud, waste, or abuse impacting Veterans or VA programs or if you think there might be an issue with a VHA healthcare claim or bill, a service you received, or VA community care or other healthcare provider please contact the VHA Integrity and Compliance Helpline.
Toll-free phone: [login to see] (VHA-HELP) 24 hours/7 days a week
Email: [login to see]
Mailing Address:
ATTN: Integrity and Compliance Helpline (10OIC)
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20420 ""
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