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Military Update: 80,000 vets with PTSD could gain discharge upgrades
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2014/09/military_update_80000_vets_with_ptsd_could_gain_discharge_upgrades.htmlMilitary Update: 80,000 vets with PTSD could gain discharge upgrades
For The Times of Trenton By For The Times of Trenton
on September 20, 2014 at 12:00 PM
by Tom Philpott
As many as 80,000 veterans who suffered from post-traumatic stress and received other than honorable discharges can use evidence of their PTSD to petition service boards to upgrade the bad paper discharge.
At stake for individuals is removal of lifelong stigmas that have scarred reputations, limited job prospects and blocked critical veteran benefits.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel this month directed that boards for correction of military records or naval records begin to “fully and carefully consider every petition based on PTSD brought by each veteran.”
His Sept. 3 memo gives Army, Navy and Air Force secretaries “supplemental guidance” that boards are to use when petitioners seek discharge upgrades claiming that unrecognized Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder caused the misbehavior that led to Other Than Honorable discharge.
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Please forward this to veterans you know.