Judge May Reopen Case Against VA After PTSD Email Emerges

[babylonsister]

Judge May Reopen Case Against VA After PTSD Email Emerges
Submitted by davidswanson on Mon, 2008-06-09 18:11.

By Jason Leopold, The Public Record


A federal court judge in San Francisco demanded that Justice Department attorneys representing the Veterans Administration explain why an email written by a top VA official who asked staffers to diagnose fewer cases of post traumatic stress disorder wasn’t turned over to defendants suing the VA over its failure to immediately treat veterans who showed signs of the disease.

U.S. District Court Judge Samuel Conti ordered DOJ attorneys to appear in court Tuesday for a hearing to explain the contents of the email and whether it should be admitted into evidence. Conti said, “The email raises potentially serious questions that may warrant further attention."

The March 20 email was written by Norma Perez, a psychologist and the coordinator of a post-traumatic stress disorder clinical team in Temple, Texas.

"Given that we are having more and more compensation-seeking veterans, I'd like to suggest that you refrain from giving a diagnosis of PTSD straight out," Perez’s email, titled “Suggestion,” says. "We really don't or have time to do the extensive testing that should be done to determine PTSD."

more...

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/33964

[SpiralHawk]

1. Republicons continue to trash and cheat America's veterans

That's what you get with an AWOL smartass prancing around pretending to be commander in Chief, and a VP republicon war-profiteering clown like Cheney with Five Freaking Military Deferments: disrespect and dishonor toward America's sons and daughters who actually served with honor.

Ptooey on the republicon chickenhawks. I am disgustipated with them.

Deserter-in-Chief dressed up to pretend he's a war hero:

[BlooInBloo]

2. Those evil fucking pieces of shit.

[EFerrari]

3. Good. I really hate these people.

:grr:

[fed-up]

4. "VA diagnosed 75K Iraq & Afghanistan war veterans w/PTSD,” Sullivan said...benefits to only 37K nt