Gulf War Vet had to wait over 4 months for PTSD help

Delays concern veterans who have mental health issues
Sunday, May 20, 2012
By Karissa Minn

But the inspector general’s report said the Veteran’s Health Administration overstated that percentage. For example, the report said, the Salisbury hospital counts 21-minute telephone intake interviews as full evaluations.

SALISBURY — Donald Shawver had to wait more than four months to see a psychiatrist at the Salisbury veterans’ hospital, and a recent federal report says he’s not alone.

The Gulf War veteran was seeking continued treatment for flashbacks and depression related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He applied for assistance in Salisbury after moving from Texas about four years ago.

Shawver said few rotating professionals gave him emergency care at the hospital, but it took 41/2 months to get his first appointment with an assigned psychiatrist.

“Once I got in the VA system, they’ve done me pretty fair, but we need some changes,” Shawver said. “It’s a struggle to get good treatment. I believe they’re just overrun.”

According to an inspector general’s report released last month, many other veterans have waited months for an appointment.

At the W.G. “Bill” Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury, federal investigators found patients had to wait an average of 86 days to see a psychiatrist.
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