At this point, you do not seem to have enough information to get help. What is his diagnosis? How did he respond after he returned form the service? Did he show signs that war had affected him?

To get service-related pension, you have to establish a clear connection between the disorder and his service. Since one of the most devastating issues is PTSD, it is difficult to prove because it often doesn't appear until years later. The service has not been kind in accepting responsibility for issues other tha those that you can see - like getting your leg blown off in battle!

You may need an attorney to pursue this because he or she would be better at gathering information than you could be. The bureaucracy is slow to move and resists many attempts to sway it but in the end, justice is served when you put together a commanding case for benefits.

First, you need to establish that what's wrong with him is connected to his service in a combat zone. Many people get depressed for reasons other than military service. Many survive military service without later symptoms so you have to find a way to connect what your son is experiencing to their responsibility. Knowing and proving are two very different things.

Here's an option to keep in mind. You can write to your local congress person or his. Those folks are great at looking into things and referring you to other resources.

I wish you well.

Great idea!

Thanks, Milt.

I agree, also find a doctor that will work with you and him. He needs a physical for starters. Who is to say it is or is not military related. It needs to be confirmed one way or the orhter. He served his country, now let his country take care of him! Remember the squeekie wheel get the grease. I hope you squeek very louldy! Go to your congressman and all the way to the govenors office is you have to!

Dear Milt T:

Thank you for your input. He has told me what his diagnosis is, however, since he had seen a psychiatrist prior to his military service, the diagnosis, after I had done some of my own research, was considered to be of a malpractice method.

I sent the information to my son, and while the psychiatrist did change his medication after it was pointed out to him that it was a form of malpractice,I am under the impression that the military does not consider him to be suffering PTSD as it might relate to military service.

I would really like for my son, to move here closer to me, but he doesn't seem to have the energy to make the move.

Anyway, thank you for you response, I will try to pin him down and retrieve more information. I am particularly interested if he is actually receiving social security through the army.

Sincerely,

P. Flack

Dear Cathiosu:

Thank you and I will certainly do that.

Sincerely,

P. Flack