December 12, 2012

Pingree seeks equal treatment for women veterans

She's asking the federal Department of Veterans Affairs to treat sexual disorders in women veterans the same as it does for men.

The Associated Press

PORTLAND — Maine congresswoman Chellie Pingree is asking the federal Department of Veterans Affairs to treat sexual disorders in women veterans the same as it does for men.

The Democrat says in a letter to the undersecretary of benefits at the VA that victims of sexual assault often suffer from female sexual arousal disorder, or in the case of men, erectile dysfunction, based on the physical and psychological effects of sexual trauma or as a side effect of medication used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

Pingree says she has heard from female veterans who have had their disability claims denied because the VA doesn't even have a diagnostic code for their condition.

Pingree says it's a quality of life and fairness issue.

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