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The VA should fund more support groups, more psychologists , more counselors, both at the VA centers and throughout the state, thereby reaching the rural veterans who are far from services. I spoke with a civilian psychologist today who reports he's been told there is a two year wait for neuropsychological testing at the VA. If true, this is beyond unacceptable. They should contract out all these services to private practitioners until there is adequate staff in the VA system. I know that waiting times for some services have been reduced and the VA staff are trying hard. The rating system sounds very complex and cumbersome for all involved. Isn't there some way to streamline this so soldiers won't lose everything while they wait months and years for a ruling?

There could also be more state or federal funding for the non-VA veteran-staffed storefront counseling centers scattered about. They take all comers, have less red tape, and may have more appeal to those who've been out for a while. They may have lost funding already in this tight economy. The short answer is: money and will. Any other ideas?

posted 4 years, 6 months ago
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You spoke of PTSD today. Many soldiers come home with traumatic brain injury (TBI) as well. Symptoms range from catastrophic to subtle, and the key point is that they often overlap with PTSD. The diagnosis and treatment of these two injuries are different. The Brain Injury Association of Oregon (BIAOR) has information about resources, referral, and support services on its website at www.biaoregon.org. Most states have a BIA and website, and the national BIA is at www.biaa.org.

During medical training in the late 1980s, I treated a WWII veteran who likely had PTSD that had never been addressed. There was no resource for men his age, so I arranged for him to talk with someone at a Viet Nam counseling center. He never showed up and was lost to follow up. The problem is pervasive and it's high time that veterans of all ages and wars should have access to resources to help them. It's outrageous that so many people who sacrifice so much get so little help. Caring for our wounded should be part of the cost of war, not an afterthought if we can find the funds, as one legislator said to me. MeanMachine2, I hope it's not too late for you and your peers to ask for and get help. Please ask. I am deeply sorry you were treated badly on your return from service.

Kudos to Governor Kulongoski for creating the Reintegration Team, and to those who work hard for our vets. There are enough stories of vets and families struggling with the bureaucratic system, though, that it seems clear that it needs a lot of improvement. We who care can all write to our legislators to remind them that this is a priority. I am hopeful that our new President will do more for our veterans than the current one.

Physician, BIA Board member, and TBI survivor

posted 4 years, 6 months ago
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