Agreement reached in class action lawsuit for veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom
In December 2008, a class action lawsuit was filed in Sabo v. United States on behalf of veterans who (1) served in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, (2) were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and (3) were discharged from service with ratings of less than 50 percent.
Recently the attorneys representing the veterans and the government reached an agreement, wherein at least 4,300 members of the class action will be entitled to an expeditious review of their disability evaluations as well as a correction of their past and future benefits.
The disability ratings are essential to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. A permanent disability rating of 30 percent or higher entitles a veteran to monthly disability benefits for the remainder of the veteran’s life, to free health care for the veteran and his or her spouse for life, and to free health care for their minor children.
Veterans who are eligible for such review are those who were discharged from service between December 17, 2002, and October 14, 2008 and were determined unfit to serve in part due to a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.
While notices have been mailed to roughly 4,300 veterans, if you did not receive a notice and believe you are a veteran who fits the criteria discussion above, you have until July 24, 2010 to “opt-in” to the class action lawsuit. You should go to www.ptsdlawsuit.com to obtain additional information regarding the lawsuit and information on how to become a member of the lawsuit.