Why Many War Veterans Become Homeless

In order to really bring the merits of this article close to home, imagine being in a foreign country, let say France, and you can only speak English. With this scenario in mind, attempt to function in a manner consistent with being in America where English is spoken. Even if you are of sound mind and body, I am certain you can envision the many challenges you will encounter.

Realize this, when a veteran returns from a war zone suffering from PTSD and other issues associated with being there, said veteran’s comprehension abilities are similar to you being in France. No one seems to be able to speak “disabled veteran” (as in speaking French or any other language).

Immediately, the family to which he/she returns recognizes that something is wrong. However, for the life of them, they cannot understand why the veteran can’t just snap out of it and continue on with his life. You see, if the veteran had returned with both arms broken and wearing a neck brace, they would have been able to understand and relate to the veteran’s feelings. In the veteran’s present state they will only conclude that he or she is just fine because they see no obvious signs of any trauma.

After a few days or months pass and the veteran’s disposition show no positive signs of so-called improvement, the family becomes indifferent and wants nothing to do with him/her. The veteran being unable to get them to understand “disable veteran” finds he/she becoming more and more isolated. The veteran will find ways to avoid contact because the scrutiny is too much to endure.

While the veteran is undergoing this isolation and rejection from his family, he/she (hereinafter he) he begins to wonder why he has not heard from the Veteran Administration (hereinafter VA) regarding the claim he filed for PTSD. If a person is suffering from PTSD the last thing he needs is to be bombarded with paperwork and civilians who cannot speak his language . It has now been six months and no reply has been received.

He calls the VA every day and on each occasion is told they are still working on his claim. Nine months passes, same results. At this point, most any reasonable person can easily conclude that if this plight continues on its present course, the veteran’s (hereinafter vet) disposition will surely spiral downward.

As the veteran attempts to make headway regarding the claim he becomes more frustrated and more withdrawn. His family, friends and no one else can understand his behavior. While the veteran feels his life crumbling around him he searches for answers. Until the veteran is diagnosed with PTSD, he is considered by the VA to not have it. As such, he must languish in a state of anticipation for many years which only serves to create more stress. Meanwhile, the clock continues to tick and he falls deeper into depression.

In his distorted mind, he cannot tolerate this any longer. No one seems to care and he does not have the fortitude to carry on. When a veteran gets to this point without the appropriate treatment, he will either become homeless or commit suicide.

By becoming homeless he would have removed himself from the every day hustle and bustle. He will now live in his own world where he has complete control. If he wants to stay drunk he can. If he just wants to scream, he can. The point is, he doesn’t have to deal with the so-called sane people because he has found peace in his own world. He has accepted his fact that the VA is just waiting for him to die.

How can we intervene and attempt to correct or make the transition from war zone to civilian much smoother?

First of all, when a vet submit’s a claim to the VA requesting compensation for injuries or other issues associated with being in a war zone, the VA can instantly enter his identification number to determine if the vet served in a war zone. If it is confirmed that the vet served in a war zone, he should be given the benefit of the doubt and immediately become eligible to receive a temporary stipend until his claim is resolved.

If it is later proven that he was not eligible to receive any monetary benefits, he would then have to repay all the money that he received and be subject to prosecution. I arrive at this conclusion because presently the government provides student loans to college kids who have done nothing for this country. I therefore do not feel that it would be improper to assist someone who has put their life on the line for this country.

In most cases with a war vet, they just want to feel appreciated for their service to this country. Some vets are deployed for multi tours in a war zone. This only serves to exacerbate and compound the stress that the family must endure. Stop and think for a moment. How would you like to be separated from your children repeatedly for one year increments?

If a person is sick, they need treatment. It is really despicable and may even border on criminality the way some of our war veterans are mistreated. It sometimes takes the VA over four years to resolve a claim. Even then, the appeal process can go on for a couple more years.


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