H.R. 5448 would amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the disability compensation evaluation procedure of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, to improve the diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Detailed Summary
Full Faith in Veterans Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to accept as sufficient proof of service-connection of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) alleged to have been incurred in or aggravated by active military service a diagnosis of PTSD by a mental health professional, together with a written determination that such disorder is related to the veteran's service, if consistent with the circumstances, conditions, or hardships of such service, notwithstanding that there is no official record of such incurrence or aggravation during such service. Requires the Secretary to resolve every reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran. Allows PTSD service-connection to be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence.
Directs the Secretary to require Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees responsible for rating disabilities, evaluating claims for disability compensation for PTSD, or adjudicating disability compensation ratings to complete a certification program established by the Secretary.
Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct audits of examinations of veterans who submit claims for disability compensation for PTSD; (2) update the schedule for rating disabilities with respect to PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other mental disorders; (3) implement new PTSD criteria; (4) implement a holistic treatment approach for veterans with PTSD; and (5) require VA employees responsible for adjudicating disability compensation ratings to take into consideration veterans' treatment records from readjustment counseling centers and written opinions of mental health professionals.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 6/12/2008: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Butch Kirkman
This bill is a God sent. I have been struggling with the VA C&P Services for over 5 years, as I can not prove my stressor. I have 14, yes 14 VA doctors that concur I have service connected PTSD. However, the beauracrats cling to the literal interpretation of the law. They even lost what service records I had.
Unfortunately, a press release came out on the 18th from Air Force News that said the VA Secretary hald alredy changed the proof of strsssor rule. However, the author failed to mention that this immediate change was for vets that are diagnosed with PTSD "while on active Duty". So, this bill is what we need to get developed and passed expediently to help the thousands of vets the VA says they have PTSD, but can't prove it was a result of their service. Let's get this Bill done quickly. Write your legislative reps and call often...
boyce holley
www.veteransforcommonsense.org
boyce0sog
The site above has much information on how to get the proper records and what needs to be done in order to prove your stressors. I personaly have most of the vietnam macv sog histories and most of the data in the earlier year on when what and where things happened. hr 5448 looks like a godsend but it is only pop and pre election circumstance which will fade away when the political circus folds its tent.