Unum Denies Gulf War Vet with PTSD

Archer, FLBad faith insurance couldn't get much worse than denying benefits to a Gulf War veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But Jason, who is disabled with PTSD and fibromyalgia, says that Unum did just that: "Unum wrote me a letter that included a list of jobs I could get, then[UnumProvident] cut me off after two years on long term disability." Jason applied for Unum benefits after his panic attacks and anxiety became so bad that he couldn't function anymore. VA doctors determined that he also had liver failure, possibly anxiety-related.

He went to a Veterans' PTSD rehab center and also had psychoanalysis treatment to try and understand why he was having memory problems. In other words, Jason wasn't able to work, period.

"I also told Unum that my unit had been exposed to nerve gas in Iraq," says Jason. "Before we blew up a demo depot, someone forgot to check the depot to see if it had gas—we were downwind when the Americans blew it up. The Pentagon sent me a letter that said our unit had been exposed to the gas—so it's documented; it's evidence. Later I found out that a high incidence of brain cancer and fibromyalgia occurred. Some of the guys from my unit are sick with other stuff, including joint pain.

"Anyway, my job was to drive gas trucks and follow the tanks. I was the gas station attendant on the battlefield; the guys in the tanks would radio me to get filled up. When I came home my PTSD broke out—I stayed awake for days and had massive panic attacks. At first I got short term disability benefits from work then Unum kicked in and carried me for two years. Out of the blue they wrote me a letter, suggesting I could get certain lower income jobs that paid $15 per hour. I have no idea what they were thinking—I have a mortgage to pay. I can't do anything; I get real tired just after a few hours and just want to sleep.

"Unum decided that I don't have behavior problems; their doctors say I am employable, but I've never been interviewed by any of their medical examiners—Unum should be sued for what they are doing. "I know that I don't have to convince a doctor that I am disabled. I'm a Gulf War veteran and I don't need to prove anything. All Unum has to do is read my medical records and the report from my rheumatologist.

"Unum is going to have to recognize that I am disabled because the government says so. My brain isn't functioning as it should but it functions well enough to know that Unum is wrong. Unum terminated my LTD in August 2010. For months before that, they sent me a letter every month that had to be filled out by VA doctors—it is very difficult to get doctors at VA to fill out all this crap. It was harassment by Unum—who has the time? I believe that Unum was trying to wear me down—one of their bad faith tactics.

"In August I appealed, with the help of an attorney from LawyersandSettlements. As far as I know, this lawyer from Little Rock, AR, sent a letter to Unum stating that I have PTSD and fibromyalgia; he said that the brain is an organ, just like the kidney, and anyone who has psychological problems should receive benefits; there is no reason for Unum to deny me—I am hopeful that my benefits will be reinstated."