Op-ed Written by: Congressman Lee Zeldin (NY-01)
Generations of U.S. military veterans alive today have endured circumstances that are unimaginable to many Americans.
As a result of these experiences, many of our service members experience various disciplinary issues while serving, which could lead to a less than honorable discharge. Many of the actions resulting in discharge are connected to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which often goes undiagnosed.
Presently, service members who have separated from the armed services after receiving a less than honorable discharge are not entitled to many benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In many cases, they aren’t entitled to any benefits at all. Often times, these service members struggle with PTSD, but lack the resources to receive a proper diagnosis. Without this diagnosis, it is impossible for a veteran to appeal their discharge status to possibly recuperate benefits that they were rightfully entitled to as a result of their service. Since 2009, the Army has separated at least 22,000 combat veterans who have been diagnosed with PTSD, TBI, or other mental health challenges. This number does not include those veterans who are suffering but have not yet been diagnosed. Something must be done in order to address this challenge facing so many of our service members. This is a trend that must be reversed immediately.
In the coming days, I will be introducing bipartisan legislation in Congress, “The Fairness for Veterans Act,” with Long Island Representatives Peter King and Kathleen Rice to help the most vulnerable of our service members. The Fairness for Veterans Act will allow veterans with less than honorable discharges to receive access to screening services at the VA for the purpose of diagnosing mental health disorders. This diagnosis is absolutely essential for the veteran as it will show that he or she received a service-connected injury that could explain why they were separated from the armed forces initially. With a diagnosis for a service connected disability comes greater access to VA services, as well as the ability to appeal a discharge status. Through this legislation, many more veterans could have access to important aspects of VA healthcare, educational and employment services allowing these individuals to further their post military lives.
Serving our nation’s veterans is a full time commitment; one that I do not take lightly. The Fairness for Veterans Act is an essential and commonsense piece of legislation to improve the quality of life for those who have sacrificed so much for our country. We must ensure that our nation’s most vulnerable receive the care, treatment and benefits they both earned and deserve.
Congressman Lee Zeldin, an Army veteran who continues to serve today as a Major in the Army Reserves, represents the First Congressional District of New York. In Congress, Rep. Zeldin serves on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. His district encompasses most of Suffolk County, which has the highest concentration of veterans in New York State, and second highest concentration of veterans in all counties across the country.