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IRAQ VET LOSES BENEFITS AND BONUS WITH "PERSONALITY

DISORDER" DISCHARGE -- "When you get back, they

take everything they have given you for what you

have done. It's a losing situation."

 

 

For more about the personality disorder discharge, use the VA Watchdog search engine...click here...
http://www.yourvabenefits.org/ses
search.php?q=personality
+disorder&op=ph

Story here... http://www.kget.com/news/
local/story.aspx?content_id=e35f561c-
a238-4ce3-b4a0-2851715cb011

Story below:

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Iraq War soldier accuses U.S. Army of deception

By: brynn galindo

A Tehachapi soldier said he was cheated by the United States Army when his benefits and enlistment bonus was taken away after he was honorably discharged.

PFC Richard Smith said this military disgrace is unfair, and lawmakers could soon make a change.

Smith said a misdiagnosis sent him home from the Iraq War.

“There are so many people that are coming home and this is happening to them,” Smith said. “It’s just not right.”

He said like many soldiers, he was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but the U.S. Army discharged him due to a pre-existing “personality disorder.”

“It follows me around forever,” said Smith. “It’s on my record. My future employers will see it. It says right there, ‘Honorably discharged for personality disorder.’”

Smith is forced to pay back his signing bonus and may lose his military benefits, as well.

“They charged me $7,000.48, and they are doing an interest on it until I pay it back,” he said.

Smith’s not alone.

The Department of Defense reported in the last six years, 5,600 soldiers were discharged due to “personality disorders.”

The Iraq War Veterans Organization said this is a common misdiagnosis for PTSD and a line of attack for the military to save money.

The military does not provide benefits for pre-existing conditions, including personality disorders.

“When you get back, they take everything they have given you for what you have done,” said Smith. “It's a losing situation.”

The House Veterans Affairs Committee is investigating personality disorder discharges, and may vote to review every case so soldiers, like Smith, can get their earned benefits.

Smith is currently working full-time to pay back the Army, and hopes to attend Bakersfield College in the fall if he can afford it.

Pentagon officials said they are looking into the case.

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Larry Scott  --