Madigan staff reversed 285 more PTSD diagnoses

Army says 285 patients at Wash. medical center had PTSD diagnoses reversed by psychiatry team

By Associated Press, Published: March 7

SEATTLE — The Army has identified 285 more patients at Madigan Army Medical Center in Washington state who had their diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder reversed by a forensic psychiatry team in the past five years.

The Seattle Times reported Wednesday (http://is.gd/04Dai5 ) that the patients will be given the option of having their cases reviewed once again to determine if they suffer from PTSD,

Soldiers who are diagnosed with PTSD can qualify for a medical retirement that offers a pension and other benefits. The Army is investigating whether Madigan doctors who reviewed PTSD diagnoses were influenced by concerns about the cost of providing such benefits.

Madigan staff involved in the screening have denied there was command pressure to limit disability awards, the newspaper reported.

The 285 soldiers were identified from a review of 1,500 soldiers screened by the forensic team since 2007 for all types of mental health conditions, the Army said.
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