Chairman of House Veteran’s Affairs Comm, John Hall, Applauds New PTSD Rule

Carmel, NY– Rep. John Hall (NY-19), Chairman of the House Veteran’s Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, participated in press conference today with high-ranking Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials from the Castle Point Campus of the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System in Castle Point, NY in announcing a VA rule change effecting thousands of veterans across the country.

Currently, veterans who apply for disability benefits to compensate for PTSD must demonstrate a specific incident or attack to prove their trauma is service related, essentially delaying or denying benefits to thousands of veterans.  The new rule, which takes effect tomorrow, will make it easier for all veterans suffering from PTSD to receive VA health care and disability compensation.  Proof of service in uniform in a war zone, combined with a later diagnosis of PTSD, will be all that is required.

“In today’s modern conflicts, everyone serves on the front lines.  Our veterans who fight to defend our freedom overseas shouldn’t face another battle when they return home,” said Rep. Hall. “PTSD cases are routinely the most complicated cases for a veteran to prove, and for the VA to confirm, often requiring drawn out investigations. This new rule simplifies the process, and allows VA employees to focus their efforts on new cases and to serve more of our veterans.”

Congressman Hall has taken the lead on this issue, introducing the COMBAT PTSD Act (H.R. 952), which focused on creating a presumption of service connected disability for veterans diagnosed with PTSD. Hall discussed the issue with President Obama during a meeting at the White House in early 2009, and at several meetings with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.  By August of 2009, the VA announced that it was drafting the rule change.

More than 400,000 veterans are currently receiving compensation benefits for PTSD. This change makes disability benefits available to more veterans, including some who may have been denied benefits in the past and is open to veterans from any era.  It will apply to cases already filed, and should hasten their resolution.

Iraqand Afghanistan Veterans of America Legislative Associate Tom Tarantino said, “IAVA strongly supports this rule change and thanks Congressman Hall for his leadership on this issue. This change will benefit veterans of all generations, including those serving in our current conflicts.”

“I want to thank Congressman Hall for his tireless efforts on this cause and leading the charge to see this rule adopted. Today’s announcement by the VA is a major step forward in how we care for our veterans when they return home.” said Paul Sullivan, Executive Director of the non profit Veterans for Common Sense.

“Finally, I can get the help I need with my PTSD,” said Iraq War Veteran Robert Kingsley of Goshen, NY.  “This problem has deeply impacted my life, and I struggle with it every day. Thank you Congressman Hall for recognizing that the VA needs to treat PTSD as a severe disability.”

Since his election to the US House of Representatives in 2006, and as Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, Congressman Hall has been a tireless advocate for the proper care of our veterans.

Joining Mr. Hall from Washington were Dr. Robert A. Petzel, VA Under Secretary for Health, Michael Walcoff, VA Acting Under Secretary for Benefits and Bradley Mayes, Director, VA Compensation & Pension Service. 

With Mr. Hall in New York were Mike Scheibel, Assistant Director of the New York VA Regional Office (VARO), Frank Logalbo, Assistant Claims Chief at the New York VARO, Michael A. Sabo, VISN 3 Director, Gerald Culliton, Director VA Hudson Valley and Rob Kingsley, Former Senior Airman United States Air Force.