Saturday November 8, 2008
It is a great blessing that our country finally has a President that truly cares about the concerns of all war veterans. As a Vietnam combat Veteran with the Ninth Marines during 1969 I have been seeking to have approval of my claim for PTSD compensation sence August 2002. The Pittsburgh Regional Office of the Department of Veterans Affairs has denied claim four times and the Federal Board of Veterans Appeals has denied it two times. Each time they claimed my PTSD, Anxiety, Anger, Depression and combat memories was due to growing up in an alcoholic home. Each they ignored the comments of my last commanding officer of the Navy Ship I was serving on while in the Navy from July 1964 to June 1968 where he had stated that I never showed any anxiety, or difficulty while accomplishing any assignments. Instead they stated since the Marine Corps did not state that I had any emotional difficulties on the day I was honorably discharged as a corporal in June 1970 was one reason to deny my claim. They also stated that since I had waited several years after being discharge from the Marine Corps was another reason for denying my claim.
Both the Regional Office and the Federal Board ignored that the reason that the Vietnam Veterans Service Centers were established in the late 1970s was due to the fact that most Vietnan Veterans did not usually becoming willing to seek assistance for their PTSD, anxiety, anger and war memories until several Years had past.
Hopefully, a President Obama will appoint a new Secretary of Department of Veterans Affairs who will make changes in the way war Veterans claims for PTSD and other compensation claims will be respected and approved.
My PTSD claim is before the United Staes Couirt for Veterans Claims at present. My hope is with theassistance of my attorney my claim will finally be approved sometime in 2009.
Our country has elected an honorable and compassionate person to be our new President. I met President Elect Obama in March when he came to Washington & Jefferson College to speak. Our daughter Janelle was a member of his campaign personnel and was able to encourage me to attend. I and about 50 other veterans sat behind the then Senator Obama. He was very warm, compassionate, and respectful of veterans and all those persons who have been struggling in our country with economic challenges and difficulties.
His personality and humanity convinced me that he was to be our next President. I believe he will become as popular among of all struggling, Americans and persons around the world.
Praise the LORD we have a President who is committed to economic and social justice for all men and women regardless of religion, culture, sex and race.
Woody Holland SEMPER FI
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