In testimony before a Federal Court the VA department defended its treatment of soldiers and troops who are returning from active duty.

VA Department Undersecretary Cautions Against Rush To Judgement

San Francisco-In testimony before a Federal Court the VA department defended its treatment of soldiers and troops who are returning from active duty.

Top Undersecretary of the health department of the Veteran’s Administration, Michael Kussman told a federal judge of the current level of treatment and care.

“We monitor the satisfaction and the current outcomes from our patients, and they tell us good things in high numbers,” stated Kussman.

“There are performance standards we are required to meet, and we meet patient expectations,” said Kussman. Kussman testified in the trial against the VA by two advocacy groups that claim care is being denied or delayed, and veterans are suffering at the hands of the VA.

It is the fourth day of a trial against the VA, and central in the issues being considered is the treatment of Veterans who are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The two advocacy groups claim the VA department is to blame for the rising rate of suicide among those who are returning from the battlefield.

The rate of suicide among returning veterans is about three times the rate of general suicide among the American Population. This amount includes suicides from all veterans of all wars, not just the current conflict, but the majority of suicides in the last 18 months are from recent war and combat conflicts.