Released 1/21/10 | Tags: Class Actions, PTSD
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT TO HELP VETERANS WITH PTSD
Potential Payment of Millions of Dollars in Benefits for Iraq & Afghanistan Vets with PTSD
News Conference on Monday, January 25 at 1pm at the National Press Club
Veteran Plaintiff & Attorneys to Speak to the Media
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 21, 2010
WASHINGTON— A recent development in the class action lawsuit, Sabo v. United States, will likely result in the payment of millions of dollars in financial benefits and improved healthcare for thousands of Iraq & Afghanistan veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their families. This landmark development will be discussed by attorneys and a veteran plaintiff at a news conference being held on Monday, January 25 at 1:00pm at the National Press Club. An important deadline for an estimated 4,300 eligible veterans will be announced.
WHO: National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP)
WHAT: News Conference discussing major development in Sabo v. United States
WHEN: Monday, January 25, 2010, 1:00pm-2:30pm
WHERE: West Room, National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20045
WHY: Sabo v. United States, was filed in December 2008 on behalf of seven veterans by the non-profit NVLSP and pro bono counsel Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP.
The lawsuit alleges that between December 17, 2002 and October 14, 2008, the military illegally denied benefits to an entire class of service members who returned from Iraq and Afghanistan with PTSD and were discharged from service.
The disability ratings which are the subject of the lawsuit are critically important to veterans with PTSD. A permanent disability rating of 30% or more entitles a veteran to monthly disability benefits for the rest 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.
For years, the law has required the military to assign a disability rating of at least 50% to all veterans discharged for PTSD. This rating above 30% would give these veterans the medical benefits they need. In October 2008, the Department of Defense ordered the military to assign a 50% rating for PTSD going forward.
Yet, each of the seven named plaintiffs in the Sabo v. United States lawsuit received a rating of 10% or less. Recent developments in Sabo v. United States will potentially help thousands of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with PTSD and their families receive improved healthcare and financial benefits.
PRESS/MEDIA INTERVIEW REQUESTS
Press and media interview requests should be directed to Ami Neiberger-Miller, ami@steppingstonellc.com.
ABOUT NVLSP
The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) is an independent, nonprofit veterans’ service organization that has served active duty military personnel and veterans since 1980. NVLSP strives to ensure that our nation honors its commitment to its 25 million veterans and active duty personnel by providing them the federal benefits they have earned through their service to our country. NVSLP offers training for attorneys and other advocates, connects veterans and active duty personnel with pro bono legal help, publishes the nation’s definitive guide on veterans’ benefits, and represents and litigates for veterans and their families before the VA, military discharge review agencies, and federal courts. For more information go to www.nvlsp.org.
ABOUT MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP
Morgan Lewis provides comprehensive transactional, litigation, labor and employment, and intellectual property legal services to clients of all sizes—from global Fortune 100 companies to just-conceived startups—across all major industries. Its international team of attorneys, patent agents, employee benefits advisors, regulatory scientists, and other specialists—nearly 3,000 professionals total—serves clients from 22 offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia. For more information about Morgan Lewis or its practices, please visit: www.morganlewis.com.
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