Many Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have been diagnosed with PTSD. Some choose to go to the VA hospital to receive help with this, and in some cases, the VA sends a letter to the courts which causes the Vet to be PERMANENTLY labeled as "Adjudicated as Mentally Defective", with no future opportunity for legal appeal or due process.
This creates serious consequences for the Vet. This label can hinder employment opportunities, have negative impacts on child custody, and causes more anxiety and depression.
Vets know this. As a result some will not receive the treatment they need, possibly making their health worse.
If Veterans with this label had a chance to appeal this by showing their conditions had improved, and get the record expunged, more Vets would come forward for help