War Widow Blames VA Neglect for her Husband's Suicide

[douglas9]

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (CN) - Neglect and unreasonable demands from the Veterans Administration caused another Iraq war veteran to kill himself, his widow claims in Federal Court. She says that despite a doctor's "clear diagnosis" of post-traumatic stress disorder, from roadside bombs, including one that killed 93 people, the VA refused to admit he suffered from PTSD, with excuses such as "the diagnosis 'does not specify which Diagnostic and Statistical Manual was used'"; and that he "'failed to provide dates of the incidents or names of any casualties.'"
Tracy Eiswert says her husband Scott suffered substandard care from the VA hospital in Mountain Home, Tenn., before he killed himself in 2008. He was 31. She survives, with their two young children.
It's the latest in a string of lawsuits from families of veterans nationwide, who say the VA was less than helpful after veterans returned from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/10/18/40699.htm

[MADem]

1. The VA has improved dramatically in the post-Bush era.

That doesn't help those who suffered previously, but it's a point that should be noted.