I haven't been around long but the first time l dealt with DVA on my vets behalf. the person who answered the phone posed a question to me "did I realise how much they cost to keep?"
At this point l was more than a little angry. So l asked him were DVA looking after cattle or human beings. TOO much to keep!!! Now l'm sorry but as far as l am concerned all vets not just my vet gave their all when deployed and this person on the phone, made it clear to me that vets are too expensive. Now PTSD effects self esteem at the best of times but to be degraded and dehumanised by the department that is supposed to ensure their well being?
Interesting thing is that once l sent an e-mail to the PM and to the minister of DVA then l started to get phone calls plus second hand apologies from the same people who had treated my vets treatment with contempt. The Ministers secretary rang me to apologise. 1. apology was to the wrong person (my vet deserves that apology). 2 don't attempt to patronise me. 3 give the vets the treatment and respect they earned.
How many of our vets are treated this badly?

All of them... basically when DVA take responsibility for the actions that have occurred to give a veteran PTSD, they admit to lifetime liability.... imagine if they did that for every veteran who got PTSD? Every country would be broke, so they make excuses for the outcome of a job that has to be done and they are responsible. It is disgusting if you ask me... and I got my pensions... let alone many of my mates who didn't because they had other injuries, which DVA then use to blame the inability for future work upon, thus downgrading PTSD and emphasing other injuries to ensure less liability.

It is purely just disgusting though... I concur as a veteran myself. If the military simply took better care of soldiers, sailors and airmen during conflict, put more money into quality physicians on the ground with forced discussion with them all during deployments, they would save immense monies down the track with future problems with the veterans mental health IMHO.... basically, prevention is better than cure! They just don't learn though.

I have seen first hand the US VA system screw vets over. Telling my grandfather that his hearing problem is his problem and not theirs, costing him literally several thousand dollars out of his pocket. Even though he got his purple heart because he got his hearing damaged in combat during WW2. And when they recognize it IS their responsibility, they still refused to reimburse him. Man, he ain't got that kind of money. That hurt him bad.

I am a Desert Storm vet, and I dont use the VA medical places because they treated me so bad, including a sexual assault at the VA hospital by an employee that the VA police covered up. I could keep you up all night telling you about horror situations I know about either personally or those told to me by other vets. I think they do some of the shit to vets to make us leave the system in anger. I think they are negligent on purpose sometimes to kill us off if they can get away with it. People who are not vets do not give a damn about how we served our country, or what the gov't now owes veterans who were hurt during service. Remember how you weapon was built by the lowest bidder? Well, vets get the lowest quality of alot of things. Don't let anyone you love join the military for any reason.

I asked myself that on monday, poss777, and I still haven't figured it out. Fortunately, I haven't had to deal with them directly, as I deal with them through a advocate.

From what I understand, is that Vets going for compensation need to meet certain criteria to get PTSD, even Vets who have been in combat situations. Don't meet that criteria, then they don't count in you in as having it.

I do! I have nothing but respect for those who serve their country, ! They deserve the best! I'm so thankful for the work they (you) do! How do you repay someone who has given their life, limb(s), hearing, or have never-ending reminders from the scar seen in the mirror everyday, etc... and sacrificed so much for the freedom I have to enjoy?? How do you repay someone who is away from family, friends for months on end?? For missing the birth of their child, their 7 year olds broken arm, first dates, graduations, the funeral of a loved one?? I don't think it's possible, but try.

Thankyou to all the active military and vets for the freedoms me, my family, and fellow citizens have. I would only expect that everyone thinks this way, however, as unfathomable as it is, some don't, and that- to me, is is a shame.

Everyone Take Care!