Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 01/24/2000

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
On Wednesday, November 24, 1999, ABC's news magazine 20/20 broadcast a story whose premise was that veterans lie in order to receive benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). VA Under Secretary for Benefits Joe Thompson and Dr. Laurent Lehmann, the associate chief of psychiatry and PTSD programs, were interviewed for the story.

The story had a definite slant, and the interviewer, Jay Schadler, had a definite point of view. During an interview of more than an hour -- taped in March in Mr. Thompson's office -- Schadler asked over and over about the appearance that veterans are on a VA "gravy train." The implication is that a number of veterans have discovered ways to cheat the system and fraudulently receive benefits for PTSD, up to "$3,000 per month tax free" (his words).

To be fair, 20/20 acknowledged that PTSD is real, and that thousands of veterans are receiving benefits legitimately. But Schadler insisted on what he called the "common sense" approach that far too many veterans are receiving benefits in error. He even went on to question why Vietnam veterans are still coming to VA for PTSD claims 25 years after the war.

Throughout the interview, Mr. Thompson and Dr. Lehmann tried to educate Schadler about the claims process and about how PTSD affects veterans, but Schadler stuck to his premise that this was an enormous rip-off. He even interviewed a VA claims representative who indicated that he had personal knowledge of hundreds of claims that had been allowed improperly.

PTSD is a medical condition. We know that Dr. Lehmann was interviewed, and we know he gave compelling information about the nature of PTSD and other mental health issues VA deals with. Nothing he said made it to the broadcast.

20/20 managed in this shoddy piece to undo years of hard work by VA and by veterans' advocates to recognize PTSD and to encourage veterans to come to VA for help. With this one story, ABC may have re-stigmatized veterans and scared them away from the help they need. That is tragic, and the network's news division should be ashamed.

Dr. Lehmann patiently explained the diagnosis and treatment of these veterans to the interviewer, but to no avail.

Mr. Thompson explained that the process of reviewing claims for service-connected disability does not encourage a situation in which lying is rewarded. He was ignored.

Near the end of the interview, Mr. Thompson summed up his concern. He said that as a Vietnam veteran he had seen a number of negative labels unfairly assigned to Vietnam veterans. "Please don't add 'charlatan' and 'fraud' to the list," he said. Unfortunately, that plea never made it on the air.

The resulting story showed what can happen when a producer and a reporter are closed-minded and care only about how a broadcast can be made to fit their pre-conceived notions.

VA assures all veterans, their families, and their advocates that its commitment to the treatment and compensation for PTSD is ongoing. We encourage all veterans who need help to come to VA. We will continue to process all claims for disability in accordance with the law, while showing the measure of concern and compassion the American people expect to be afforded the country's defenders.

John Hanson
Assistant Secretary For Public And Intergovernmental Affairs
Department of Veterans Affairs
Washington, D.C.

Dear John:
I am outraged, however not surprised, by the shabby, tacky, and trashy journalism of ABC's 20/20 segment on post-traumatic stress disorder. 20/20 has a history of 20/200 vision in its truthful portrayal of our nation's Vietnam vets -- unfortunately, once again, leaving our fellow citizens with a negative perception of our band of brothers. As you noted, John, although ABC interviewer shoddy Schadler taped nearly 90 minutes of dialogue with Joe Thompson and Dr. Lehmann, the actual segment that aired included only about 50 seconds of Joe's responses and conveniently omitted those of Dr. Lehmann's. I urge all VA employees and veterans to go to their VA Regional Office to view the full 90-minute interview taped last March and the actual segment that aired in November.

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
As the coldest days of winter approach, I want to bring to your attention a Vietnam veteran who has dedicated his life to helping the poor and homeless of Washington, D.C., especially fellow vets.

Lt. David Treadwell, U.S. Army (Ret.) is a recipient of the Silver Star and commanded a company in the 101st Airborne. He took command one month after the Company's battle for Hamburger Hill. He now is executive director of Central Mission in Northwest Washington, which provides emergency services to poor and homeless men, women, and children and long-term spiritual recovery programs for homeless men. He has served scores of veterans.

A study conducted last year showed that one in three men seeking services from rescue missions identify themselves as veterans. Veterans who have made the successful transition back home may wish to support organizations that lift up those who have fallen since returning home. Please feel free to contact me for more information about Central Mission or David Treadwell.

Steve Bowers
c/o sbowers1@erols.com

Dear Steve:

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
for he that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother."
                                                    William Shakespeare

Thank you for your letter applauding fellow Vietnam veteran David Treadwell and his many good works for those veterans still in need. Although the holy days have recently passed, we should continue the spirit and assist David and his worthwhile mission. The Sarge urges those wishing to help to contact Steve Bowers at sbowers1@erols.com.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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