Veteran Thomas* enlisted in the US Navy in the late 1980s when he was just 20 years old. He wasn’t from a military family, but even as a child he had dreamed of joining the US Military–playing with toy soldiers and watching GI Joe like so many other kids those days. Bootcamp was difficult, but he loved the challenge and the people he was serving beside.
Thomas was soon deployed to serve on a warship during Operation Desert Storm. He was enjoying his service and proud to be living his childhood dream. Until one night it all went wrong. Thomas was brutally attacked by members of his own command. He didn’t report these assaults because he was afraid of escalation and retaliation.
But Thomas couldn’t sleep. He was constantly afraid. He started to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, a very common reaction to trauma when real mental health care isn’t available. His performance as a sailor fell drastically and he was discharged with a General (rather than “Honorable”) status.
When Thomas returned to his home state of Connecticut after service, he sought help from the VA where he was diagnosed with PTSD and lifelong physical disabilities caused by his assault. But because he wasn’t Honorably discharged, Thomas couldn’t get the full breadth of assistance he deserved. He filed for VA benefits for his PTSD and was denied despite a clear diagnosis. Thomas kept trying to move forward with what help he was receiving, but it was never enough and he experienced a series of evictions, mental health crises, and overall could not get any further.
If Connecticut Veterans Legal Center believes in anything it is this: we take care of our Veterans who become disabled during service.
We met Thomas in 2021 thanks to his VA Clinician, who saw that Thomas wasn’t treated fairly and encouraged him to seek out additional help. What Thomas really deserved was an “Honorable” discharge and VA disability benefits that he needed to support his recovery from the injuries that resulted directly from his time in service.
CVLC Attorney Chelsea Donaldson has spent the last three years fighting for Thomas. Thomas–a US Navy Veteran who experienced horrific trauma–has been forced to undergo examinations and retell his story over-and-over again. But he has shown the same bravery he showed in service, and finally just last month he won–Thomas is now, finally, receiving the benefits he earned. No one can ever undo the trauma, but now he can put his life together and live with the dignity he earned when he first put up his hand as a young man and swore to serve.
*Name changed to protect privacy of Veteran. Veteran not pictured in photos shared.
