IBTimes: VA Stops Releasing Data On Injured Vets As Total Reaches Grim Milestone

VA ceased to disclose this data despite President Obama’s second-term campaign pledge that his administration would be open and transparent.

(PORTLAND, OR) - As many of you know, the Pentagon reports 51,583 WIA in the two wars through Nov. 3 and 59,908 injured in non hostile causes or sick enough to be evacuated—but only through Dec 3, 2012 when it stopped reporting that category of casualties.

The reason the VA has treated a million vets, although only 111,491 were wounded or injured in theater (to Dec 3), it that most of them (about 890,000) sought treatment for their conditions after they returned home.

In contrast the 6,774 total dead (4,489 in Iraq, 2,285 in Afghanistan) include both those who died from non hostile causes as well as those who died after the left the war zones.-MM

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Portland Tribune photo by L.E. Baskow

Order from Powell's

Michael Munk tries to glean important but overlooked items from the world media on the issues of the day and posts them on an irregular schedule. Although items can overlap, he also maintains separate lists for activists in Portland, Oregon and the Northwest, and special lists for: Labor, Latin America, Israel, Torture Taxis, Korea, and the Czech Republic.

Michael is a highly praised writer from an important generation whose book, the Portland Red Guide, has received high praise.

"City Commissioner Nick Fish gave me a copy. Sat down on my sofa and couldn't put it down until I finished. Fascinating!"
-- Tom Potter, Mayor of Portland 2005-2009

"Whoop! Whoop! I'm impressed by how many names from Portland's past have not made it into our official histories and public memorials. Some were good friends of mine. Local history is too often overlooked. Good work, Mike."
-- Bud Clark, Saloon keeper, Goose Hollow Inn, and Mayor of Portland, 1985–1992

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