This afternoon, the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs hosted a roundtable discussion on VA's proposed changes to the PTSD claims process. AMVETS National Deputy Legislative Director Christina Roof was on hand to participate in the discussion.
To view a list of participants in today's roundtable, Click Here.
To listen to audio of today's roundtable, Click Here.
In August, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki announced plans to drop the corroborating evidence requirement for veterans seeking service-connected status for PTSD. AMVETS supports dropping this redundant requirement.
To read VA's press release on the changes, Click Here.
VA and the House Subcommittee wanted to host the roundtable to discuss the proposed changes with leaders in the veterans community.
During the roundtable, Roof discussed why corroborating evidence only serves as a detriment to veterans seeking care and compensation for PTSD. Though critics assume that veterans will seek to exploit the VA Compensation and Pension system with fraudulent claims, Roof pointed out that VA already has processes in place to ensure that veterans seeking compensation have a valid diagnosis from VA for PTSD and proof of deployment to the combat zone.
Each participant left the table with the consensus that VA should make the changes as soon as possible, offering easier access to treatment for PTSD.
Let us know what you think of VA's proposed changes and its potential effect on our veterans suffering from the invisible wounds of war.
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