In recent years, thousands of American troops have headed home after serving overseas in the conflicts raging in the Middle East. Sadly, many of these military personnel witnessed and were a party to troubling events that have resulted in many suffering from a medical condition known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

While many PTSD sufferers choose to suffer in silence or turn to drugs and alcohol as a means to cope, some do reach out for help. One such man recently filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the VA hospital at which he sought treatment for failing to provide him with adequate or appropriate treatment for his condition.

After returning home from serving in Iraq, the U.S. Marine began experiencing various symptoms commonly experienced by those suffering PTSD. The man had vivid and disturbing flashbacks and nightmares, severe mood swings and difficulty both controlling and expressing his emotions. These symptoms adversely impacted both his relationship with his wife and his ability to live a normal life.

During 2007, the man sought treatment at a VA hospital. For nearly five months, the man was under the care of VA hospital doctors. During this time, however, the man's condition only worsened. Despite numerous pleas for additional help or counseling, however, doctors failed to provide any additional much-needed help or care.

As a result, the man who was desperate to find relief from his PTSD symptoms turned to drugs and alcohol. He was arrested in Aug. of 2007 after he attempted to break in to a pharmacy and steal prescription drugs.

The couple filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the VA hospital for medical negligence in failing to properly treat the veteran's PTSD. A judge recently awarded the couple a judgment in the amount of $3.7 million.

Source: Times Leader, "VA Medical Center must pay $3.7M to patient," Terrie Morgan-Besecker, Jan. 17, 2013