Norma Perez, an employee with the post-traumatic stress
disorder program at the Olin E. Teague Veterans’ Center in
The e-mail dated May 20 and titled “Suggestion,” was addressed to several staffers including psychologists, social workers and a psychiatrist and said: “Given that we are having more and more compensation seeking veterans, I’d like to suggest that we refrain from giving a diagnose of PTSD straight out. Consider a diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder. Additionally, we really don't ... have time to do the extensive testing that should be done to determine PTSD.”
Veterans Affairs Secretary James B. Peake repudiated the email at the time by saying it was “inappropriate” and didn’t concord with the VA policy
The e-mail was obtained and released publicly by VoteVets.org, a veterans
group that had criticized the Bush administration’s policies in
In a testimony prepared for delivery Wednesday before a
Senate panel, Perez denied that the e-mail was meant to save money saying her
intention was to simply remind her colleagues that stress symptoms could also
be adjustment disorder.
“In retrospect, I realize, I did not adequately convey my
message appropriately, but my intent was unequivocally to improve the quality
of care our veterans received,” Perez said, according to the Associated Press.
However, the senators were skeptical of that explanation, as
it is known that a veteran diagnosed with PTSD could be eligible for disability
payments of up to roughly $2,500 a month, while veterans diagnosed with a less
severe condition of adjustment disorder generally are not entitled to
disability compensation.
“This latest episode…furthers the perception that the VA is
shortchanging our veterans,” Se. Patty Murray, D-Wash. said.
The senators will further continue to investigate whether the email indicated a cutback in VA treatment of PTSD. Meanwhile, another investigation is led by an inspector general at the VA trying to figure out the adequacy of care for veterans with PTSD.