Perhaps due to awareness of illnesses, the Department of Veterans Affairs said the number of former service members has risen by a third over the past five years, but are there enough veterans benefits for mental healthcare to go around? NPR said the agency is trying to boost funding and standards, but it may still be lacking in mental health care for the men and women returning home.
For soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Social Security Administration is making sure those affected by a rare lung disease can move ahead on the list if they display disability qualifying conditions stemming from burn pits and fires, according to Army Times. This “compassionate allowance” may help speed up the benefit process and get these veterans the help they need in procuring money while they cannot work.
Last month, the Social Security Administration put out a new ruling on fibromyalgia which sought to clarify how they look at claims for the disease, which is marked by body pain, tenderness in soft tissues, sleep problems, headaches and more. Those who suffer from this disease could very well have disability qualifying conditions for Social Security benefits.
Many veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder after returning home to the life of a civilian from war, but not too many know how to deal with the effects of the mental illness, such as suicidal thoughts. The New York TImes wrote about one 27-year-old former Marine who found life at home difficult upon his return and ended up hanging himself. It does not have to go this far; there are veterans benefits and counseling available for returning vets suffering from PTSD and other illnesses.
