The Burns Family at the World War II Museum in New Orleans in 2018.
their family members) who claim PTSD. The Hagel Memorandum
guided military boards to give “liberal consideration” to service
treatment entries, VA determinations, case records from civilian
providers, and “any document from the period of service that sub-
stantiates the existence of one or more symptoms of what is now
recognized as PTSD or a PTSD-related condition.” My mother, after
her death, had left letters my father had written to her during his
time away. After reading these letters and those my father wrote
for his appeal, there is no doubt in my mind that he had PTSD and
deserves to have his discharge status changed to Honorable. It has
been nearly two years since I filed the application for change, but
my family and I are optimistic this will occur.
In closing, I hope that my father’s story of service to our coun-
try and his struggle with PTSD can give comfort to other veterans
and their families who have suffered similar experiences. I believe
that if my father were alive today, he would want to share his story
in order to help patients and physicians cope with this terrible
disorder as proper patient care was always of primary concern to
him. We owe a deep amount of gratitude to all veterans who have
risked their lives and their mental well-being in order to keep our
country free and safe. As we celebrate Veterans Day this month,
please remember our Armed Forces, old and young, those that
served, those still with us and those deceased. The next time that
you see a person in uniform or a veteran, please thank them - it is
the very least that we should do.
Dr. Burns is a private practice ophthalmologist. His practice, Middletown Eye Care,
is located in Middletown, KY.
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