Incapacitation by invisible injury, line of duty. Advocacy.

SGT Leigh Barton — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 10:04:58 -0400

Nature has just as many ways to injure a man as enemy action. The last century has shown us that the more incursions into remote areas, the more previously unknown illnesses, injuries, and anatomical dysfunctions we encounter. The typical result is the use of the "Discharge under other than honorable conditions" after a short psychiatric review to deny benefits. This has been the procedure of choice since the automatic review for Dishonorable discharges became mandatory. Malaria, heat injuries, Post traumatic stress disorder, Jungle rot, Unidentified chemical agent exposures, and more. Should a mandatory review of dishonorable discharges be expanded to include any discharge other than honorable in character? Could many of these abuses be neutralized by a patient advocacy program?

Response by SGT Curtis Christman made Nov 11 at 2013 10:25 PM

SGT Curtis Christman — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 22:25:13 -0500

I Know The feeling Got activated for first gulf war, Went and got shots dental and then sent from ft. Knox Ky to ft. Jackson Sc, Back went out got put on Deadman profile next thing I know I'm being sent Home. A Few Years Later I'm diagnosed with fibromyalgia (Gulf War syndrome)

Response by SFC Cary Jeffery made Feb 27 at 2014 10:58 PM

SFC Cary Jeffery — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 22:58:18 -0500

The determining factor is  medical occurrences within uniform whether training or combat. Yes, medical decisions need to be reviewed for benefit eligibility. It happens with standards 12-18 month reevaluations. Too many people suffering without proper healthcare in military and Veteran community. This is not new to Veterans of the World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam War and Gulf War. The system needs overall!

Response by SSG Dave Rogers made Feb 28 at 2014 2:56 AM

SSG Dave Rogers — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 02:56:50 -0500

Try being the National Guard, called up for a federal mission on state orders. Now you are in a world of hurt. Cant get federal benefits because you are on state orders, and dont get state benefits because you were on a federal mission.

Response by SPC David Solotky made Mar 4 at 2014 1:21 AM

SPC David Solotky — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 01:21:05 -0500

I can't speak for anyone in the DH or OTH category. That being said I can speak first hand for unseen illness. This is the reason why I am going to Seattle this week tomorrow. I had received a freak tumor, I emphasis freak. That is believed to be attributed to the burn pit in Balad Iraq. This tumor was called myxoma, I received it in my jaw bone. What is sad is the dental when active said on the x-ray it is an abscess don't worry about it. I started to see a lump on my gum as a civilian (November 2011). I find out through the VA it is a freak tumor. To make this long story short I had my fibia removed out of my right leg to transplant into where 9 teeth of jaw bone used to be. Lost more than 3 months of work, just on leave of absence. As well as still more procedures. So this does hit a personal note for me of hidden things to come.

Response by CPT Lance Cutsforth made Mar 4 at 2014 1:30 AM

CPT Lance Cutsforth — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 01:30:27 -0500

Too many are put in harm's way then cast aside when they are actually harmed. Any program that is shown to be misused for the purposes of denying benefits to those who are forever damaged by their service needs more than an external review. It needs major revision.