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Akaka Calls VA Employee's Suggestion to Misdiagnose Veterans Disturbing and Disappointing
Calls for Inspector General investigation and renewed guidelines for PTSD
May 16, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following statement this morning regarding an email sent by a Department of Veterans Affairs employee suggesting that in order to save time and resources, VA should avoid diagnosing veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The email was sent by a mental health professional at the Temple, Texas Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and suggested that the facility's mental health staff should stop diagnosing veterans with PTSD. "This incident is both disturbing and disappointing, and provides further evidence that VA's mental health program requires significant attention," said Akaka. "I have asked VA's Inspector General to review diagnosis patterns at the facility involved as well as any benefits decisions based on diagnoses from that facility. I am also calling on VA Secretary Peake to provide renewed guidelines to all VA field offices on the proper diagnosis and treatment of PTSD and on handling claims for compensation for PTSD." Psychological war wounds are difficult to diagnose and harder still to heal, but they are no less real than any other service-connected injury," added Akaka, who is working with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to bring S. 2162, the bipartisan Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008, to the Senate floor for a vote. "I continue to be concerned that VA's mental health system is unprepared for the rising demands placed on the system by both younger and older veterans. I will keep working to improve standards and funding for veterans' mental health care." -END-
Year: [2008] , 2007 , 2006 , 2005 , 2004 , 2003 , 2002 , 2001 , 2000 , 1999 , 1900
May 2008
- Akaka Holds Hawaii Field Hearing on Federal Workers' Pay [May 29, 2008]
- Akaka Urges VA to Work With DoD to Address Increase in PTSD Cases [May 28, 2008]
- Filipino WWII Veterans to Thank Senator Akaka in Honolulu for Fighting for Recognition of Their Military Service [May 23, 2008]
- Akaka Holds Hearing on Security Clearance Reforms [May 22, 2008]
- Akaka Reacts to Votes on Iraq Policy, Funding and GI Bill [May 22, 2008]
- Committee Reviews Pending Veterans' Health Legislation [May 21, 2008]
- Akaka Cosponsors Warner Amendment Protecting Transerability of GI Bill Benefits to Family Members [May 20, 2008]
- Inspector General Report Finds That VA Continues to Inaccurately Report Patient Wait Times [May 19, 2008]
- Akaka Calls for Senate Support of 21st Century GI Bill [May 19, 2008]
- Farm Bill Draws Support of Isle Congressional Delegation [May 16, 2008]
- Akaka Requests Documents and Investigation of Veterans Affairs PTSD Diagnosis Following Disturbing Email [May 16, 2008]
- Akaka Calls VA Employee's Suggestion to Misdiagnose Veterans Disturbing and Disappointing [May 16, 2008]
- Veterans Business Resource Centers Get Critical Funding [May 15, 2008]
- Akaka Uses Oversight Authority to Formally Request Suicide Data from Department of Veterans Affairs [May 15, 2008]
- Senators Introduce Legislation to Ensure Fair Retirement Benefits for Federal Workers in Hawaii, Alaska and U.S. Territories [May 13, 2008]
- Success of Major DHS Acquisitions Depends on Clear Contract Requirements, Performance Standards [May 8, 2008]
- Hearing on Pending Veterans' Benefits Legislation [May 7, 2008]
- Senate Committee Approves Kalaupapa Memorial [May 7, 2008]
- More Data on Veteran Suicides Disclosed [May 6, 2008]
- More Data on Veteran Suicides Disclosed [May 6, 2008]
- Akaka Discusses Veteran Suicides with Veterans Affairs Secretary [May 5, 2008]
- Investigation of Veterans Nonprofit Research Corporations Finds Need for Stronger Oversight [May 5, 2008]
- Akaka Introduces Bill to Strengthen VA Medical Personnel Recruitment and Retention [May 2, 2008]
- Senators Announce Additional Funding for National Center on PTSD [May 2, 2008]
- Akaka Introduces Bill to Help Veterans Refinance Homes [May 1, 2008]
- Hearing on Guam Military Build-up [May 1, 2008]
- Akaka Urges Customs to Help Asian Visitors by Adding Japanese, Chinese and Korean Translations [May 1, 2008]
- Follow-up Inspector General Investigation Finds Unmet Needs Among Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury [May 1, 2008]
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