In 2021, more than 150,000 veterans lived in Connecticut. Recently, a black veteran from Hamden, Conley Monk Jr. sued It claims the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has denied VA benefits and disability claims to black veterans at a higher rate than white veterans for decades.
In the 20 years ending in 2020, black veterans were 39.5% more likely to be denied disability coverage, compared with 24.2% for white veterans, according to VA data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. .
VA benefits include access to healthcare. Veterans Disability Compensation is “a monthly tax-exempt payment to a veteran who becomes ill or injured in service, or whose service has aggravated a pre-existing condition.” The lawsuit, which alleges racial disparities in access to health care and disability coverage, highlights the grave implications for black veterans living in Connecticut and requires the state to take action.
One in four veterans has at least one disability. A veteran’s incidence of major depression is five times that of a civilian, and his incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder is fifteen times that of a civilian. In the general population, major depression is untreated at higher rates in black and Hispanic communities compared to white communities. Additionally, the prevalence of PTSD is higher among black, Hispanic, and Native American veterans compared to white veterans.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is having a major health, social and economic impact, and is significantly amplifying mental health symptoms. Global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by 25% in the first year of the pandemic. Research has shown that people with pre-existing mental illnesses have increased psychiatric, anxiety, and depressive symptoms during the pandemic. or facing pain. Many enter the pandemic with pre-existing mental health conditions, as evidenced by his 25% percentage of veterans having at least one mental illness, and possibly more serious mental health conditions. experiencing physical health symptoms.
It is clear that veterans in general, and veterans of color in particular, are experiencing a mental health crisis, especially given the compounding effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. So why are they consistently denied the VA benefits, access to healthcare, and disability coverage they desperately need?
In working with veterans as a veteran upgrade and policy intern at the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center (CVLC), I learned about the need for access to quality mental health services and how veterans can get such access. , especially witnessed its profound impact on the lives of black veterans. In 2020, 80% of CVLC clients had at least one of her disabilities. The veteran clients I worked with often had comorbid disabilities, often at least one of which was a form of mental illness. It has experienced harmful effects and exacerbated mental health symptoms.
A recent report by CVLC, to which I contributed as an intern, “Discretionary Fraud” found:
Black service members were “about 1.5 times more likely than white service members to receive a non-honorary discharge rather than an honorable discharge, and about 2 times more likely than white service members to receive a general discharge.”
These are important findings that negatively impact access to veteran benefits if less than an honorable discharge. Black veterans are systematically excluded from veterans benefits due to “bad paperwork” discharges and are unable to obtain the medical care and disability coverage they need.
Given that the Connecticut Legislature’s 2023 session convenes on January 4, 2023, the legislature must provide adequate support to veterans, especially black veterans.
Connecticut has made great strides in expanding mental health services over the past year. In June, Governor Ned Lamont signed a series of bills to improve mental health services for children. In August, Lamont announced that the state would put his $5.1 million in funding to improve infrastructure at the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs campus in Rocky Hill.
In a press release this November, Gov. Lamont said, “We have a duty to help our veterans,” before announcing that New Haven’s Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge would be illuminated in red, white and blue. . Honor Veterans Day. In 2012 he lit up the 2nd Bridge, and improving the building’s infrastructure just isn’t enough to support veterans.
It is critically important that states provide the comprehensive, high-quality mental health care that veterans need. Veterans, especially black veterans, cannot be left out in Connecticut’s well-meaning efforts to expand mental health services.
Francine Erfe is an MPH student at the Yale School of Public Health.
