Booted From Army With PTSD, Without Benefits

In August 2012, Northwest News Network correspondent Austin Jenkins collaborated with Seattle Times reporter Hal Bernton on a story about a group of soldiers suffering from PTSD. They received less than honorable discharges from U.S. Army for what they admit was bad behavior. But they left the military without the veterans' medical benefits they say they need to treat their PTSD.

See Hal Bernton's stories in The Seattle Times.

Military and Defense

Northwest Soldier Gets 'Other Than Honorable' Discharge Reversed

Austin Jenkins

Note: This story is an update to a story first reported in 2012 in collaboration with the Seattle Times.Between 2008 and 2011, more than 20,000 soldiers…
Health and Medicine

Washington Activists Celebrate PTSD, TBI As Qualifying Conditions For Medical Pot

Austin Jenkins

Medical marijuana and veterans activists plan to march in Olympia Wednesday to celebrate the addition of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic…
Update: Other Than Honorable Veteran Gets Benefits, Second Vet Killed By Police

Austin Jenkins

A decorated combat veteran who lost his medical benefits when he was kicked out of the Army for misconduct has learned he will, in fact, qualify for health care from the Veterans Administration.
Combat Vet With PTSD Booted From Army, Barred From Healthcare

Austin Jenkins

SALEM, Ore. – In Salem, a former Army staff sergeant named Jarrid Starks has run out of the medications that keep him stable. He has severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental and physical wounds of war. But he’s currently not eligible for veterans’ health benefits that would include prescription refills. That’s because Starks was kicked out of the Army for bad behavior. He’s far from alone. Correspondent Austin Jenkins has this story in collaboration with the Seattle Times.