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The VA is letting down our troops

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  • Originally published May 28, 2008 at 8:01 p.m., updated May 28, 2008 at 8:01 p.m.

The most shocking, disturbing, and troubling statistic in America: 18 military veterans kill themselves.

Every day.

According to a December 2007 e-mail between top VA officials filed as part of a federal lawsuit brought by two nonprofit groups representing veterans, an average of 5 of those daily suicides are personnel under VA care.

A study released by the respected RAND Corporation think tank estimates that 300,000 U.S. troops – about 20 percent of those deployed – are suffering from depression or post-traumatic stress from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Advocates have focused on the excessive time it takes the VA to adjudicate disability claims – on average about 180 days.

Is the VA, the second largest cabinet-level agency in the United States government, simply unprepared to handle the number of personnel returning from the front lines bearing scars, both visible and invisible?

Paul Rieckhoff, founder of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, doesn’t question all of the good doctors and good intentions, but says “the VA system is not at all prepared. This country has not ramped up resources to meet this flood of people coming home.”

The VA recently responded to such criticism by opening a suicide prevention hotline, hiring thousands of new workers, including suicide-prevention coordinators, at all of its medical centers.

But for those who have lost loved ones to suicide, including those from the Coastal Bend, the adjustment comes too late.

The fact is, the sprawling VA medical network, with its 153 medical centers nationwide, is in need of massive reform and a national commitment. “We remake the Army after every war,” say Rieckhoff. “We bring in new equipment. We bring in new weapons. We need to do the same thing at the VA. It doesn’t matter where you stand on the war – we’ve got to take care of the warrior.”

Rep. Garcia represents Aransas, Calhoun and San Patricio counties and part of Nueces County. He serves on the Defense Affairs Committee, and is a Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve.



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