Majority of calls to new Army hotline concern disability ratings

After enduring a rocket attack in Ramadi, Jon Town was told his PTSD was a pre-existing personality disorder, then discharged from the service and denied disability.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Disputes with the Army over disability ratings, out-patient health care and misplaced medical records dominate the more than 700 complaints received by a new Army telephone hotline, public records provided to USA TODAY show.

There were far fewer phoned-in complaints than the Army anticipated after seven weeks. The hotline started March 19, shortly after the revelations of problems with care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington...

At least 115 complaints concerned disability evaluations and ratings, which made up the largest group of issues raised. Evaluations determine the extent of a soldier's disability, while the ratings determine a soldier's future benefits.

The high number of disability complaints reflects what troops have been telling veterans groups, says Ron Smith, deputy general counsel for Disabled American Veterans. "Soldiers are being very seriously underrated (for their wounds)," Smith says.

Read the rest at USA Today

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