Noteboom The Law Firm

VA Must be Aware that Iraq and Afghanistan Vets Face Post-Military Dangers

The very ominously named Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) death file contains the records of every veteran who is or has been receiving benefits since 1973. It does not include veterans who were not receiving benefits when they died nor does it have information on those veterans who never applied for benefits.

BIRLS tracks all wounds, both physical and mental, of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. It also keeps tabs on certain risky behaviors and follows the high rate of military suicides.

Looking at the death file paints a very disturbing picture. The existence of the file means the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is very aware of the almost 4,200 veterans who died in post-military separation.

They are also aware that not only more than 50% of those veterans died within 2 years of separation, but about 1,200 were drawing disability compensation at the time due to a mental condition. Not surprisingly, the most common condition was post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

This file shows just how serious of a problem the VA is facing. There are veterans in dire need of care and they are either not receiving it or are falling through the cracks of the VA's system.

The latter seems more likely given the recent 9^th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruling on the current state of the VA's mental health care. That Court referred to VA care as "unchecked incompetence" and subsequently ordered the VA to improve not only its benefits system, but how they provided health care.

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.