Noteboom The Law Firm

Stress from Reintegrating U.S. Veterans with Their Families

According to an article in USA Today, the family readjustment period when U.S. veterans are returning home can cause severely elevated stress levels for everyone involved.

Returning veterans reconnecting with their family in both the short-term and long-term is vital. It won’t take long for the family unit to need to establish boundaries, and doing so generally causes high levels of friction. In order for the family to successfully move on as an intact unit, that initial adjustment period needs to be successful and provide something to build upon. There must be a strong foundation, which includes a strong marriage.

The divorce rate among soldiers in 2011 was the highest it has been since 1999. The “disconnect” caused by multiple long-term deployments can make reuniting difficult.

On the contrary, research finds families have bonded in the soldiers’ absence. Often, their unit is stronger than when the soldier left, which can be a very positive environment into which soldiers return.

Still, it takes time to go from a combat situation to where there’s no combat, and some soldiers come back with disabilities and mental health conditions making the environment harder to adjust to.

Many bases force their soldiers to enter reintegration training upon return to their posts. Some of that training includes relationship issues. In addition, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offer reintegration assistance for families in need.

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 veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.