VA reports 85,000 Iraq War & Afghan War vets have sought medical care

[fed-up]

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/?page=article&ID=3281


During today’s hearing on the serious problems facing returning war veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reported more than 85,000 Iraq War and Afghanistan War veterans have already sought medical care from VA.

Out of the 360,000 discharged veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), nearly one in four had already visited VA for physical injuries or mental health counseling by February 2005.  This number far exceeds the 12,000 wounded reported by the Department of Defense (DoD).
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/casualty.pdf 


The count of veterans reporting medical problems was buried on page 10 of the prepared statement submitted today by VA’s John Brown, Director, Seamless Transition Office, before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.  However, Brown didn’t share the statistic during his oral testimony.  For a copy of the testimony, please go to:
http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/schedule109/may05/5-19-05/jbrown.html


Citizens, elected officials, and reporters should be asking the tough questions: Now that VA confirms more than 85,000 OIF and OEF veterans have sought VA healthcare, VA should tell the people and Congress how much this costs taxpayers each year.  Reporters should also ask how many recent war veterans have filed VA disability claims and how much that will cost taxpayers each year.  Reporters should also ask how much VA paid out in life insurance payments to surviving spouses, children, and parents for the more than 1,800 service members who have died in either OEF or OIF. 
http://www.marinetimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-782283.php 

last paragraph in article snipped to meet posting rules

[Javaman]

1. And these are just the ones actually seeking help...

I bet there are thousands of others that have either refused to seek help or think they are "alright".

[Karenina]

2. Chew 'em up

Spit 'em out. :grr:

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

3. kick for another coverup

[Karenina]

4. This is a BIG ONE.

:cry:

[Ioo]

5. Sad quick story...

I am a disabled ve, I was at the VA on Weds. For the longest time, I was always the youngest (31 now, 22 when I was crippled), that is no longer the case, I met a guy who was 19 and missing a foot, I was very shaken up.

Anyway check out knowthefacts.net I run this site...

Here was the concept, there is a PDF on the site, you print it off, and when you are in a parking lot, and you see one of those damn ribbons, you can place it under the wiper.

Anyway, if you care to, take a look please

http://www.knowthefacts.net

[hector459]

6. Watch out or they will be accused of hyping the numbers as some here

have done to fellow DUers who claim the number of US military killed in Iraq is way too low.