Update: PTSD Claims the Life of Another Combat Veteran

PTSD Last week we posted about PTSD and the possible triggering effects of July 4th fireworks.  We are sad to post this follow up about a Georgia veteran who committed suicide after hearing fireworks on the Fourth.  Click here for the full story from a local news source.

National Disgrace – 22 Veteran Suicides Every Single Day

As tragic as this death is, equally tragic are the other 21 veteran suicides that happen every day that go seemingly unnoticed by most people.  That’s right – 22 veterans commit suicide every day.  That is almost one per hour.  When you go to bed, another 7 or 8 will have likely died by the time you wake.  Another 440 will die this month. Another 3,784 this year.  Even worse news – the number may actually be higher than 22 based on inaccurate state reporting.

Veteran Suicide Resources

There is a Veterans Crisis Line (phone 1-800-273-8255, or text to 838255) for veterans in their time of need.  This crisis line has been credited with saving 48,000 veterans since its creation in 2007. Unfortunately, this has not been able to keep up with the demand of those in need.  A recent investigation revealed the line receives 1,400 calls a day but can only field 1,000 of those.

How The Rest of Us Can Help

What can we, as individuals, do about this crisis?  First, we all need to have a greater sense of awareness of the problem.  That problem really has two parts – the vast number of veterans affected and the seriousness of the problem in the individual context.  Left untreated, PTSD can be fatal.  There are those who think veterans who struggle with mental illness are either faking or somehow wrong for having problems when all veterans are not similarly affected.  That is a shame and contributes to the problem so many military families face.  We need more resources for veterans fighting suicidal thoughts.  Many of these are PTSD veterans, although not all of them carry a formal diagnosis.  For anyone who has personal experience with PTSD will know, post-traumatic stress disorder take a huge toll on the servicemember and the rest of the family as well.

What can we, as a nation, do about this crisis?  We need to research and develop the correct resources to help out veterans who struggle with mental illness.  Like anything else, all of this requires funding.  Our country can also demand that the Department of Veterans Affairs do its part to provide these veterans with fast and accessible treatment for their conditions.  Finally, it can process PTSD and other mental health VA disability claims in an expeditious and non-adversarial manner.  The only thing worse for an afflicted veteran than dealing with PTSD is trying to tackle that at the same time he is being erroneously denied VA disability benefits.

Our Veterans Disability Attorneys are Committed to Help

At Perkins Studdard, we help veterans every day.  We understand how events in service can have devastating effects on a veteran later on, even years down the road.  We often try to assure our veteran clients that the denials they receive in their VA disability claims are not a reflection on their service, their truthfulness, or the reality of their struggles with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and similar problems.  However, we do see the toll a long VA disability claim can have on them.

If you know a veteran who may have PTSD or other mental health issues, be proactive in helping them find resources before it’s too late.  Twenty-two veteran suicides every day is a national disgrace.  Do what you can to help fulfill our nation’s promise to those whose sacrifice continues long after their service.

Travis Studdard is an attorney who focuses on representing veterans in VA disability compensation claims.  He regularly writes about issues that are important to veterans and their families.

You can subscribe to his Veterans Disability channel on YouTube.

Rita BarnesRita Barnes
00:03 20 Jan 22
This is a great group of people who really care about your well being. They all treated me as though I was family and helped me with my work comp case in more ways than the average would have.Thank you Jason and Thank you Tina! For doing an awesome job.
Cortex ButlerCortex Butler
18:09 29 Dec 21
I am a Veteran of United States Air Force and was awarded my first 30% in 1996 and have been fighting for my rating for 26 years I came to Perkins and Studdard in 2019 while my mom was in a terrible incident and was given to much anesthesia and through GODS Grace she was spared her life, She is disabled since 2018 and I have been struggling with my life and issues and yet I didn’t call the law firm every 10 minutes or call being rude anytime, I mentioned this as I got to know Jessica more than just a phone call and Mr Studdard was always available when not working on other cases or in court, They always called back and Never had to do a call back, My Review is Simple in Life there peaks and valleys and it doesn’t stop because you have issues, Perkins & Studdard took my case in 2019 in 2021 I received my 100% from VA, I Was Never Rude, I was Never Promised Success, I Was Never Lied too and I was Always Treated with Respect, Friendliness, and Kindness the Real Stuff not a (Money Thing) If You want a firm that Cares about the Client and will work on your case even through a pandemic, Will not lie, will not promise anything will communicate your case and will Give you their Best ALWAYS THIS IS THE Best Law Firm for VETS HANDS DOWN Perkins and Studdard THERE IS NO OTHER 100% we had 5 calls Total Case That’s Taking Care Of Business
annetteMomma nokesannetteMomma nokes
14:29 12 Sep 16
Jason and his paralegal Lisa were on point and on top of their game when it came to handling my worker's comp. injury case. I tried going it alone and the insurance carrier pushed me around. They denied extra physical therapy. They denied injections the doctor recommended to ease my pain. When I turned my case over to Jason things turned around, QUICK. They were at all times attentive and on top of my case. I cannot recommend Jason and his staff enough. If you are hurt at work, this is the firm you want on YOUR side.
Sheila KirklinSheila Kirklin
23:11 12 May 16
Jason Perkins, was my lawyer in a workers comp. case, my case has settled now, and I am very happy for all Jason and his office hard work on my case, he was always there to help me out with any questions that I had or help I needed. Jason is a excellent lawyer and if I ever need another one I would only go to Perkins,Because I believe they would be able to help me in any situation I am in need of..
Anna PabonAnna Pabon
23:16 13 Sep 15
I recommend Perkins Law Firm. Everyone I came in contact with there was very nice. Kim was very helpful and any time I had a question she made sure I got an answer. Ann Margaret really took the time to explain things to me.
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