August 23, 2009 - Veterans for Common Sense thanks all of the veterans who attended our appeals court hearing held on August 12, 2009, in San Francisco.  Since the hearing, many of you have e-mailed and phoned VCS wanting to know the status of the case since it was heard by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

At the close of oral arguments on August 12, the Court asked the parties (Veterans for Common Sense, Veterans for Truth, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Justice Department) if they would meet and discuss mediation to discuss the possibility of a settlement.   The Court offered to postpone any Court action for one week, ending August 19.

On August 18, 2009, the Court issued a written order to all of the parties extending the time to discuss mediation until September 1.   And on August 19, the parties filed a written notice with the Court to extend the time to discuss the possibility of mediation until September 15.  Veterans for Common Sense is willing to go forward with mediation.

There are two primary subjects of our lawsuit and appeal.  The first is the lengthy adjudication delays and lack of due process for veterans who filed disability compensation claims against VA, particularly with respect to appeals and remands.  The second is the inadequacies of VA’s mental health care programs, which has led to waiting lists and an epidemic of suicides among veterans.

If you wish to read our July 2007 lawsuit complaint, the June 2008 District Court ruling, our May 2009 appeal briefs, and other Court documents, please go to our lawsuit web site: www.veteransptsdclassaction.org.

Again, thank you all for your support of our efforts, and we hope to provide you another update on or around September 15.