To all who have been discharged with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and all who are concerned for our combat veterans returning home. I am an Iraq veteran who was discharged in September 2004 for PTSD. After following through with the VA system I was awarded a 30% rating for my injuries that following May (2005). I was told by the VA that this rating was for life, and would not be challenged or questioned.

On May 15, 2007 I received a letter from the VA requiring me to report to their medical center for a re-evaluation of my claim. This means that the resources at the VA are being used not to treat recently returning veterans, but rather to challenge the integrity of those who have already gone through this system and re-open any old wounds which may be present.

Not only is this indicative of the lack of support that the American Veteran is receiving, however this too indicates that the VA does not support the previous work of its fellow colleagues done in years past. Is this the kind of treatment that we are to expect? Is the work of the VA so inadequate that they need to be so redundant? Seems to me that they do not trust the work of the past employees and that comes at the sacrifice of the veterans...again.

Now in all fairness I have spoken to a man who is savvy with the VA system and he informed me that this re-evaluation is standard. My question for the VA now is 'Does the VA take the stance that psychological wounds leave no scars?' So maybe it is necessary to resubmit our veteran population who suffer from psychological trauma to relive their experiences. I think not, and many of the Vietnam era veterans may agree...after all how many people are seen carrying signs which read 'homeless veteran'? They are homeless because of the failures of the VA system to treat them properly when returning home. This country's track record is not too good when it comes to caring for the needs of the people who have served.

In closing I challenge any person who feels this to be a disservice to their nation's veterans, to the integrity of the mental health profession or to their tax dollars, to call, write or visit their political representative. Be heard. Show that your yellow ribbon on your car is not just lip service and put some fire behind your convictions. Support your troops. Even after they come home.