Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the United States has deployed nearly two million military personnel to Iraq and Afghanistan. As operations wind down, thousands of troops are returning home, and many with profound physical and psychological wounds.
The influx of wounded warriors is straining the nation’s resources. The Department of Veterans Affairs is struggling to fill a backlog of some 816,000 disability claims. Michigan ranks last in the nation in terms of benefit-spending of veterans. But many who do seek help from the government are frustrated with long waiting periods that often yield few results. Some are turning to veterans’ support groups for help.
Current State's Kevin Lavery spoke with Eric Calley, who once served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq, and other soldiers to help understand their experience in receiving veterans benefits in Michigan.