Disabled vets getting trapped by bad credit

Many Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom disabled veterans participating in VA Medical Center treatment programs are out of work for extended times. Unable to make payments for student loans, credit cards, car loans, etc., many have their credit history destroyed.

This results in rejections when they apply for such things as housing required for re-entering the workforce. Lawyers, collection agencies and courts hound them about financial obligations incurred before they were disabled and expenses incurred while they tried to recover from their disabilities.

The destroyed credit history and continued harassment trigger new post-traumatic stress disorder anxiety attacks and depression. They finally give up to living on the streets or choose to be recycled at VA facilities. They face another “Catch 22.”

VA management problems have been ignored by several administrations. However, President Obama has made many promises to help veterans. Yet he continues to waste billions of tax dollars on Afghanistan, Syrian radicals, etc.

Why not reallocate 1 or 2 billion of these wasted tax dollars to helping these disabled veterans and restructuring the VA?

JOSEPH E. ELLIGSON
ROANOKE

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