Report: Majority Of Military Misconduct Dismissals Linked To Brain Injury, Mental Health
- 7 years ago
The U.S. Government Accountability Office, or GAO, reported on Tuesday that the majority of military misconduct dismissals in recent years were linked to brain injuries, mental health issues, or certain other causes.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office, or GAO, reported on Tuesday that the majority of military misconduct dismissals in recent years were linked to brain injuries, mental health issues, or certain other causes.
GAO's analysis of data gathered from the Department of Defense (DoD) shows, “62 percent [of] servicemembers separated for misconduct from…2011 through 2015 had been diagnosed within the 2 years prior to separation with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), or certain other conditions that could be associated with misconduct. Specifically, 16 percent had been diagnosed with PTSD or TBI, while the other conditions, such as adjustment and alcohol-related disorders, were more common.”
It further reports, “Of the 57,141 servicemembers, 23 percent, or 13,283, received an ‘other than honorable’ characterization of service, making them potentially ineligible for health benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
USA Today notes that "the GAO study also found that the Air Force and Navy failed to comply with Defense Department policies on screening troops for PTSD and TBI before discharging them."
According to the media outlet, in response to the report, the DoD challenged the accuracy of the statistics and asserted the figures put forward by the GOA are exaggerated. However, it did agree to ensure all branches are in compliance with protocols regarding PTSD and TBI screenings and training in how to identify ‘mild TBI’ cases.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office, or GAO, reported on Tuesday that the majority of military misconduct dismissals in recent years were linked to brain injuries, mental health issues, or certain other causes.
GAO's analysis of data gathered from the Department of Defense (DoD) shows, “62 percent [of] servicemembers separated for misconduct from…2011 through 2015 had been diagnosed within the 2 years prior to separation with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), or certain other conditions that could be associated with misconduct. Specifically, 16 percent had been diagnosed with PTSD or TBI, while the other conditions, such as adjustment and alcohol-related disorders, were more common.”
It further reports, “Of the 57,141 servicemembers, 23 percent, or 13,283, received an ‘other than honorable’ characterization of service, making them potentially ineligible for health benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
USA Today notes that "the GAO study also found that the Air Force and Navy failed to comply with Defense Department policies on screening troops for PTSD and TBI before discharging them."
According to the media outlet, in response to the report, the DoD challenged the accuracy of the statistics and asserted the figures put forward by the GOA are exaggerated. However, it did agree to ensure all branches are in compliance with protocols regarding PTSD and TBI screenings and training in how to identify ‘mild TBI’ cases.