Economic hard times help the military but hurt the VA. When jobs are scarce and credit is hard to obtain many young people enlist in the military while many older veterans seek disability money from the VA. Over the years the VA has
continually tweaked requirements for obtaining PTSD disability income. Currently, the VA is requesting certain “combat stressors” be certified before granting PTSD claims. These psychological “stressors” can include combat awards, evidence
of physical injury or eyewitness statements written by members of one’s unit. However, the VA is finding abuse in some eyewitness statements. Some of the same names are either turning up as “eyewitnesses” to help veterans qualify for a PTSD
check, while other veterans are serving as “eyewitnesses” to support each other’s PTSD claim.

Some veteran's organizations are suggesting that the VA create a database of “eyewitness” statement writers to determine if a veteran who is filing a PTSD claim is using a repeat witness, who may have written an eyewitness statement for
another a PTSD claimant.

All veterans should be particularly mindful of anyone attempting to defraud the VA because fraud committed against the VA hurts the VA and hurts legitimate veterans who are filing valid claims. Everyone should do their utmost to weed out
fraud to keep the VA the functioning at its very best for the veterans who deserve assistance.

Contact Person for this posting: Roger Simpson, PIO
Public Information Office: http://www.13105320634.com
The American War Library: http://www.amervets.com/
16907 Brighton Avenue
Gardena CA 90247-5420
Phone / Fax: 1-310-532-0634

-- Otis Willie (Ret.)
   Military News and Information Editor (http://www.13105320634.com)
   The American War Library, Est. 1988 (http://www.amervets.com)
   16907 Brighton Avenue
   Gardena CA 90247
   1-310-532-0634