As many as 22,000 Iraq, Afghan war veterans already seek care from VA syst

As many as 22,000 Iraq, Afghan war veterans already seek care from VA system


By Larry Margasak
ASSOCIATED PRESS
9:24 a.m. May 16, 2004

WASHINGTON – When Willie Buckels applied for veterans health care after returning from Iraq, the back and knee injuries he suffered while rescuing a fuel truck during a mortar attack were not enough to guarantee him treatment.

snip...
Nearly 18,000 soldiers who have returned from Iraq have sought care at VA health facilities, officials reported at the end of March. A separate report in mid-April said 4,000 troops from the war in Afghanistan sought care, although there is some overlap from those who served in both conflicts.

About 60 percent of the Iraq veterans and 84 percent of those from Afghanistan who sought VA care came from the National Guard and Reserves. The most common problems affected joints and back, teeth and the digestive system.

Mental disorders were diagnosed in 16 percent of the Afghanistan veterans and 15 percent of the Iraqi veterans.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/iraq/20040516-0924-returningfromwar.html

With all the cuts bushie is giving to the Veterans, I wonder if these soldiers will get the treatment they really need. Some of this story is kind of a puff piece about the VA, but this is just the beginning. What is going to happen when the soldiers come home?

these were guys who had nice normal lives where the most dangerous part of the day was the commute to the office/factory.

Now they have nightmares and injuries and possible exposure to depleted uranium which will affect their's and their families health for years to come

all for an illegal war against a nation who was on it's knees due to sanctions and no fly zones for a decade.