The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) neglected its responsibility to thousands of homeless veterans, according to a class-action lawsuit filed last week.
According to the complaint, the VA had an obligation to provide steady housing for those veterans with more severe mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and failed to do so.
The plaintiffs are multiple homeless veterans from Los Angeles along with veterans support groups. Victory in this case would likely impact how the VA cares for homeless veterans across the country. This despite VA Sec. Eric Shinseki claiming the amount of homeless veterans in this country has been reduced by about half.
According to the complaint, veterans with more severe mental health conditions, which includes PTSD and brain trauma, can only be successfully treated when they have permanent housing. Further, that housing must have access to the necessary support services. Being homeless, then, exposes veterans to stressful situations, which in turn aggravate the mental health conditions.
The West Los Angeles VA center campus has a 387-acre campus on which are multiple vacant and/or underused buildings. The campus was donated to the federal government in 1888 with the caveat it would be used to house and help veterans.
After Vietnam the VA put an end to long-term housing on the campus. Since then, the VA has leased about 1/3 of the campus to private companies. Outside of geriatric nursing beds, the VA does not offer permanent housing for disabled veterans.
Should the veterans prevail on their lawsuit, they will request the judge to order the VA to use the buildings on their campus to establish supportive, permanent housing for veterans receiving treatment.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.
Category: Veterans' Disability
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Soldiers can return home with a number of conditions, injuries, and aggravated preexisting conditions. If you believe you have a service-connected physical or psychological injury you may be entitled to Veterans’ Disability Compensation.