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VETERANS DIAGNOSED WITH PTSD ON ACTIVE DUTY NO LONGER REQUIRED TO PROVIDE FURTHER EVIDENCE OF PTSD
Responding to Akaka’s inquiry, new VA Secretary takes quick action
February 15, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, commended Veterans Affairs Secretary Peake for agreeing that veterans who are diagnosed with PTSD while on active duty should be recognized as having PTSD for VA purposes. This decision will end VA's requirement that veterans diagnosed with PTSD while on active duty provide additional evidence of exposure to specific stressors during their service in order to establish their diagnosis of PTSD. Responding to an inquiry from Chairman Akaka, Secretary Peake has directed the VA regional offices to no longer require such evidence but instead to immediately schedule examinations for such veterans in order to determine the severity of their PTSD for VA compensation purposes. "I am pleased that the Secretary took quick action to reverse this requirement, after it was brought to his attention," said Senator Akaka. "This change provides a fairer process for veterans with service-connected PTSD, and leaves claims adjudicators more time to devote to reducing the staggering backlog of veterans' claims." Secretary Peake notified Senator Akaka about the change this week, in response to a January 2008 inquiry from Akaka. In his inquiry, Senator Akaka pointed out that VA was requiring veterans already diagnosed with PTSD during active duty to otherwise prove they had PTSD. Senator Akaka requested that VA quickly end this practice. --30--
February, 2008
Press Release published on: February 04, 2008AKAKA DISAPPOINTED BY PROPOSED VETERANS' BUDGET[February 04, 2008] Press Release published on: February 05, 2008SENATORS CALL FOR IMPROVED COMPENSATION FOR VETERANS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY [February 05, 2008] Press Release published on: February 05, 2008AKAKA HOLDS HEARING ON VETERANS' REHABILITATION[February 05, 2008] Press Release published on: February 07, 2008AKAKA RESPONDS TO REPORTS ABOUT FORT DRUM [February 07, 2008] Press Release published on: February 08, 2008AKAKA COMMENTS ON MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY SCREENING
HIGHLIGHTED IN GAO REPORT[February 08, 2008] Press Release published on: February 08, 2008AKAKA INTRODUCES COST-OF-LIVING-INCREASE
FOR DISABLED VETERANS[February 08, 2008] Press Release published on: February 13, 2008AKAKA HOLDS HEARING ON VETERANS’ FUNDING[February 13, 2008] Press Release published on: February 15, 2008VETERANS DIAGNOSED WITH PTSD ON ACTIVE DUTY NO LONGER REQUIRED TO PROVIDE FURTHER EVIDENCE OF PTSD[February 15, 2008] Press Release published on: February 15, 2008DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IMPLEMENTS AKAKA
USERRA RECOMMENDATIONS[February 15, 2008] Press Release published on: February 20, 2008AKAKA URGES SUCCESSION PLAN FOR DOD/VA
SENIOR OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE [February 20, 2008] Press Release published on: February 22, 2008Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Budget Views and Estimates for Veterans' Programs for Fiscal Year 2009[February 22, 2008] Press Release published on: February 22, 2008CHAIRMAN AKAKA AND MAJORITY MEMBERS OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS COMMITTEE PROVIDE BUDGET VIEWS AND ESTIMATES [February 22, 2008] Press Release published on: February 27, 2008AKAKA HEARS EXPERT TESTIMONY ON PTSD
AND VETERANS’ DISABILITY COMPENSATION[February 27, 2008] Press Release published on: February 28, 2008STATEMENT ON RESIGNATION OF UNDER SECRETARY FOR BENEFITS FROM VA
[February 28, 2008] Press Release published on: February 29, 2008FEINGOLD, AKAKA FIGHT FOR VETERAN HEALTH CARE [February 29, 2008]
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