Noteboom The Law Firm

Misdiagnosed PTSD Affects Hundreds of Soldiers

August 19, 2010 - New data suggests the Army discharged hundreds of soldiers supposedly suffering from personality disorders. The reality of the situation is that those soldiers were probably suffering from traumatic stress brought on by being in war.

In response to both Congressional and public pressure, the Army significantly reduced the amount of soldiers being discharged with personality disorders. Veterans' advocates are concerned, however, that there are still a large amount of soldiers mistakenly labeled with having a personality disorder that makes them ineligible for such benefits as military health care, among others.

Army officials adamantly deny any misdiagnosis among soldiers before 2008. However, 2008 was the year the Army considerably reduced the amount of soldiers being discharged with personality disorder diagnoses. At the same time, a large number of soldiers were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The difference between the two is significant, as far as the Army is concerned.

Most importantly to both the soldiers and the Army is that the Army considers PTSD a treatable condition as it is brought on by wartime stress. Personality disorders however, are considered a condition pre-existing military service and alleviates the military from paying disability claims to include health care and combat-related disability. 

Between 2005 and 2007 the Army discharged almost 1,000 soldiers a year who were diagnosed with having personality disorders. After the Army's practice of doing this was exposed, the Army changed its diagnosis protocols. In 2009, the Army discharged 260 soldiers who had been diagnosed with personality disorders. Conversely, in 2008 over 14,000 soldiers had been given a PTSD diagnosis, which is twice as many as in 2007.

The change could be related to a shift in Army policies, or it could be Congressional weight being applied. Others claim it was just irresponsibility on the part of the Army and horribly unfair to veterans. Army officials have not commented except to deny there were any misdiagnosed soldiers.