DoD: Bergdahl's condition 'improving daily'

WASHINGTON, June 5 (UPI) -- Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is undergoing psychological treatment and his health is improving, according to a statement released by the Department of Defense.

Bergdahl is recovering in a military hospital in Germany after nearly five years as prisoner of the Haqqani network, a militarized arm of the Taliban. He was released May 31 in exchange for five high-valued al-Qaida members who were held in Guantanamo Bay.

"He remains in stable condition, his health continues to improve daily," Army Col. Steve Warren said in a Pentagon statement. "He is conversing with medical staff and becoming more engaged in his treatment plan."

Once military doctors are comfortable with Bergdahl's progress, he will be transferred to an army hospital in Texas for continued treatment.

Bergdahl's health has been one of many points of controversy surrounding his return, as its alleged pending failure was used to justify the also-controversial exchange that brought him home.

Although much of Bergdahl's treatment is centered around his ability to communicate, any information he provides about his imprisonment, intentionally or otherwise, may not constitute a formal debriefing.

"This process is about helping a returnee gain control of his emotions. One of the methods the psychologists use to help the returnee is to allow him to tell his story."