Report: Women missing out on post-war benefits - Marine Corps News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Marine Corps Times

Report: Women missing out on post-war benefits

RICHMOND, Va. — A new study says female military members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are more likely to be diagnosed with mental-health conditions than their male counterparts. But men are more likely than women to get benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.

The Veterans Administration’s Office of Inspector General report, released Monday by Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., also found that women are much more likely to suffer from major depression and to have a harder time transitioning back to civilian life after combat service than men.

It also advises that the Veterans Benefits Administration better inform female veterans about specific services available to them.

“Female veterans may be unaware of services available through Women Veterans Coordinators, because few regional offices post signs describing those services,” the report said.

The study also found that the benefits administration denies payment for PTSD claims at a higher rate for women than for men, and denies a higher rate of male veterans’ claims for mental health conditions other than PTSD.

During a review of 750 veterans’ claims, the inspector general found that one of the primary reasons that more male veterans were granted disability compensation than female veterans was due to a regulation that the service member was required to have earned a combat badge or ribbon — which leaves out many female service members, because Defense Department policy requires that women be excluded from units that primarily engage in direct ground combat, the report said.

The VBA has since eliminated that rule, which had effectively blocked many veterans from being considered for PTSD benefits.

Warner has asked Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki to correct some of the issues addressed by the report.

In a letter to Shinseki, Warner asked that officials notify veterans of the policy change, “especially female veterans and those previously denied claims, that the standard has changed and they now may apply for service-connected PTSD and other combat stress claims.”

Warner noted that roadside bombs and other hostile tactics, as well as multiple deployments, have made those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan increasingly prone to PTSD. He said VA statistics show that almost 20,000 female veterans from the two wars have been diagnosed with a mental disorder, including about 8,500 diagnosed with PTSD.

Army 1st Lt. Kristen Rouse, a founding member of American Women Veterans, said Monday that the review and recommendations for changes raise awareness about female veterans’ military contributions.

It also reminds female veterans that they’re entitled to combat-related benefits for wartime physical and mental injuries.

“You were in combat, and we will take care of you if you have a condition that’s related to your service,” said Rouse, who served two stints in Afghanistan, the last ending in December. “This hasn’t necessarily happened in the past.”

Many female veterans have opted to seek treatment outside the system, even though they’re entitled to receive VA care, Rouse said.