‘Pre-existing personality disorder’ not considered

Hal Bernton’s article, “Troubled vets left without benefits,” [page one, Aug. 12] minimizes this outrage by only citing, “20,000 men and women ... in the past four years.” This has been going on for more than 10 years.

Bernton fails to mention a significant category of these “other-than-honorable” discharges who have a “pre-existing personality disorder.” Tens of thousands of combat veterans have been discharged with this label, disqualifying them from any benefits; many of these veterans have served multiple combat tours and even multiple enlistments. The policies that allow this travesty are cynical, repugnant and disgraceful.

This is another example of externalizing costs. The 99 percent pay either way, but this leaves more in the military budget for corporate profit and serves to hide the true cost of war.

— Rocky Boss, Seattle