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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--
Year: [2008] , 2007 , 2006 , 2005 , 2004 , 2003 , 2002 , 2001 , 2000 , 1999 , 1900
February 2008
- Feingold, Akaka Fight for Veteran Health Care [February 29, 2008]
- Akaka Chairs hearing on Government-wide Intelligence Community Management Reforms [February 29, 2008]
- Statement on Resignation of Under Secretary for Benefits from VA [February 28, 2008]
- Bipartisan Senators Urge Secretary Rice to Reconsider U.S. Policy Toward Cuba [February 28, 2008]
- Expert Testimony on PTSD and Veterans' Disability Compensation in Senate Veterans Affairs Committee [February 27, 2008]
- University of Hawaii Selected as Homeland Security Center [February 26, 2008]
- Chairman Akaka and Majority Members of Veterans' Affairs Committee Provide Budget Views and Estimates [February 22, 2008]
- Akaka Announces Nominations to U.S. Service Academies [February 21, 2008]
- Senate Democrats Discuss Efforts to Protect Wounded Warriors and Veterans [February 15, 2008]
- Dept. of Labor Implements Akaka USERRA Recommendations [February 15, 2008]
- Veterans Diagnosed with PTSD on Active Duty No Longer Required to Provide Further Evidence of PTSD [February 15, 2008]
- Akaka Reacts to Army Recommendation to Station Stryker Brigade at Schofield [February 15, 2008]
- Hearing on Veterans' Funding with New VA Secretary Peake [February 14, 2008]
- Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Screening Highlighted in GAO Report [February 8, 2008]
- Akaka Introduces Cost-of-Living Increase for Disabled Veterans [February 8, 2008]
- Akaka Votes to Support Senate Stimulus Package [February 7, 2008]
- Akaka Responds to Reports About Fort Drum [February 7, 2008]
- Feinstein, Akaka, Dicks and Grijalva Urge Interior Secretary to Retain Reagen-Era Restrictions on Loaded Firearms in America's Natonal Parks and Wildlife Refuges [February 7, 2008]
- Statement Marking Senator Inouye's 15,000 Vote in the United States Senate [February 6, 2008]
- Hearing on Veterans' Rehabilitation [February 5, 2008]
- Senators Call for Improved Compensation for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury [February 5, 2008]
- Proposed Veterans' Budget Would Scale Back Recent Gains for Veterans [February 4, 2008]
- More than $7.8 Million in Homeland Security Funds for Hawaii, Akaka and Inouye Announce [February 1, 2008]
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