Shell-shock victims finally recognized as disabled veterans

The Knesset plenum approved Tuesday an amendment to the law on disabled soldiers, which would enable shell-shocked troops to claim disabled veteran status and stipends from the Defense Ministry.

Until today, veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder have only been eligible for financial support from the National Insurance Institute (NII).

MK Zahava Gal-On (Meretz), who initiated the amendment, told Ynet: "Many soldiers who asked for stipends from the Defense Ministry after they were discharged were denied, and had to apply for recognition from the National Insurance Institute instead.

"Theses are generally people suffering from mental disabilities who are unable to function or support themselves. They needed minimal recognition as disabled, but this (NII) recognition only granted them very low stipends."

According to the new amendment, each shell-shocked veteran would be able to apply for Defense Ministry recognition, as long as he does so within three years of receiving NII recognition.

Once recognized as a disabled veteran, he would receive retroactive compensation, and the NII stipend would be deducted from his new Defense Ministry stipend.

However, the Association for the Promotion of Shell-Shock Victims in Israel said that the amendment was insufficient in scope. Chairman Uri Segal explained that most of the traumatic reactions among those suffering from the disorder only begin occurring years after the traumatic events, and that the three-year time frame for claiming compensation was therefore not enough.

Amnon Meranda contributed to the report