Soldiers Now Fighting for Benefits

For soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, serious injury or death is a frequent reminder about the dangers of their occupation. Those that are injured in battle should return to find the care they need to get back on their feet. Unfortunately, for many soldiers who suffer major injuries, it is difficult to cut through the red tape.

The story of Army Reserve Specialist Michael Pyatt shows how difficult it can be for soldiers returning from deployments to receive the benefits they deserve. Pyatt was stationed near Hillah, Iraq, in 2005. He had just finished placing a gun in a Humvee's turret, and was climbing out of the vehicle. When he stepped on the ground, he injured his hip and back. Doctors had initially ordered bed rest, and Pyatt did not want to leave his unit. After taking multiple prescriptions to dull the pain, he completed the remainder of his tour.

When Pyatt finished his deployment, superiors told him not to mention the injuries he suffered, saying it could hurt the unit's ability to return home. He disclosed the injuries on an exit form, but said they were not that serious. Once he got back to the U.S., he asked for a medical discharge, but the unit never processed any of his forms. He continued to deal with the pain, unable to receive the treatment he needed.

In 2007, he went to a VA hospital to have his injuries examined more closely. Doctors at the VA spent the next year treating Pyatt, and said that his injuries left him 100 percent disabled. Despite this diagnosis, Pyatt's unit called him for a second tour. Shocked doctors declared him unfit for deployment.

Since that time, Pyatt applied for Social Security Disability. Despite the VA doctors declaring him disabled, the Social Security Disability application was denied. Now, his hopes rest on a medical discharge. If Pyatt is discharged, he would begin to receive his retirement pay, and be able to seek medical treatment from doctors closer to his home.

Pyatt's story will sound familiar to many injured veterans returning from the war. Some have declared the process so frustrating that they have simply given up. Soldiers feel abandoned, with no one to turn to for help to obtain veterans' benefits. With more and more soldiers now coming home, it may be even more difficult to get proper medical attention.

With all of the different agencies involved in the process, it is all too easy for someone to fall through the cracks. If you or a loved one is having difficulty obtaining entitled VA benefits, an experienced attorney can help you understand your rights.

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