Group says Vet stress handled wrong

WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- A scientific advisory group says the U.S. government's system of distributing compensation for emotionally disturbed veterans lacks a scientific basis.

The Institute of Medicine said Wednesday payments for post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, increased nearly 150 percent between 1999 and 2004, from $1.72 billion to $4.28 billion, The Washington Post reported Wednesday. The report said PTSD complainants account for 8.7 percent of all claims but 20.5 percent of compensation payments.

The report suggested the government re-examine its policy on PTSD, but said it is unsure whether new guidelines would lead to more or fewer payments.

The report was welcomed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"VA is studying the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the report to determine actions that can be taken to further enhance the services we provide," spokesman Matt Burns said in a statement.