TSGLI: TRAUMATIC SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE

Posted By Grim

Last week, we spoke with Col. Sackett on the subject of TSGLI and other programs to aid servicemembers who have combat related difficulties. 

This is a long post, because it touches on the important matter of getting care for our servicemembers.  It's mostly for our readers who are servicemembers or their families, who may wish to apply for benefits.  I encourage anyone in that category to look in the transcript.  After the jump, I'll post the key excerpts -- but if it applies to you, you'll want to read the whole thing.

Also after the jump, Professor Andrew Lubin and I had a chance to ask the Colonel about PTSD issues.  Col. Sackett is in a position to offer some advice to policymakers and legislators, so we had a good discussion on ways to help our fighters. 

He appreciated the input and invited more, so if you have thoughts on these issues, by all means leave them here.  I'll see that he gets this link.

Col. Sackett's office sent out a PDF file for us to read before the meeting:

Download debunking_myths.pdf

That's the document to which my question refers.

GRIM:  I am looking over the document that OASD sent out -- the debunking myths document -- I gather it's from your office -- about the TSGLI program. It says, myth number two -- you are familiar with this document?

COL. SACKETT: Yes.

GRIM:  Myth number two: A health care provider's statement is all that is needed to verify a TSGLI claim. While TSGLI claims won't be approved without a statement from a health care provider, additional documentation must be provided to substantiate the claim.

In order to convey to our readers what kind of documentation they are likely to need, could you give some examples of additional documentation and talk a little bit about the process for any of our readers who may need to apply?

COL. SACKETT: Certainly.

The kinds of documentation which that really pertains to is activities of daily living. Typically, if it's Losses 1 through 43, it's pretty clear if you have a physical loss that a doctor makes a statement and writes on the claim form, they have a physical loss, which of course would be supported by operating room narrative summaries. However, for the activities of daily living, you would need something that would allow us to determine duration of each ADL impacted. So what that means is tying it back to a time frame such as 30, 60, 90 or 125 days. That's duration. Then the two ADLs -- we'd have to say, well, what was the level of impact, meaning that they were completely dependent on another to do this.

Now the documents that we have found most commonly support that duration of each ADL impacted are occupational therapy/physical therapy-type reports. Also, because of traumatic brain injury, neurological reports are very, very helpful. Nurse's notes, as well, because typically nurses will be taking care of a patient in the hospital and from day to day going in and logging their progress or lack of. And so those are probably right on top, which would take care of the ADL issue. I think that would probably be the most common documents that we would use.

GRIM:  And just to assist both our readers, and also of course your own office, in getting the right documentation, how do you go about getting that? Because of course I've been to hospitals and whatnot myself, and I don't recall ever receiving the nurse's note. How do you apply to receive that?

COL. SACKETT: Okay, typically, we cannot do that simply because of HIPAA and Privacy Act. Therefore, it's unfortunately incumbent on -- and this has put a little bit of a burden on the soldier and the medical side, but typically the servicemember needs to go to the personnel administration division of each hospital and procure a copy of their records.

And within those records they should have a copy of all the treatments that they've had with relation to either their physical loss or their ADL loss.

There are some other helpful tips in the transcript, and again, if you have questions or problems (or comments), leave them here.  I'll make sure they get where they need to be.

What we call 'PTSD issues' are something all of us who know combat veterans think about.  It's not covered by TSGLI at this time, though as the Colonel noted, they are looking at ways to deal with it.  Prof. Lubin began this topic with a question about how TSGLI dealt with PTSD currently.

COL. SACKETT: Well, for TSGLI currently, the only thing that would fit in is if perhaps they had traumatic brain injury or they had some other thing. But as far as post-traumatic stress syndrome itself, TSGLI has not allowed for that loss at this point in time. However, Veteran Affairs is working towards adding additional losses and additional, let's say, means to bring others such as post- traumatic stress syndrome into the TSGLI program.

Now, in Combat-Related Special Compensation, or CRSC, it is covered. So for instance, you have an individual who for whatever reason did not qualify for one of the losses in TSGLI and they've been in the service -- they're a senior-ranking NCO or officer and they've got 20 or more years -- then they could then apply for CRSC, and under the guise of the PTSD injury immediately be awarded for that type of injury due to its link to a combat-related scenario.

A. LUBIN: What about a kid who's -- what about a kid who's 19 comes back now? Would he qualify or is he just SOL until Veterans Affairs --

COL. SACKETT: Well, there are a couple of things that are developing, and one, of course, if you're talking back to the post- traumatic stress syndrome, there's pending legislation to bring medical Chapter 61 retirees into that program, and they're looking between one and 19 years at that type of program. But all that is pending legislation.

A. LUBIN: Okay. Pending -- has it -- is this subject to vote in Congress or VA proposing it, or can you tell us the status?

COL. SACKETT: Certainly, certainly. Well, Army can propose that; I have proposed it through my chain of command through Department of Army. And DOD, in turn, proposes it if they chop off on it, propose it up to Congress. The VA, in addition, depending on which program we're referring to here, they propose it.

But in essence, I have proposed both TSGLI and CRSC legislative improvements to the program, as well as meetings with the VA and the other services, to ensure that we meet the needs of the soldier or retiree.

I followed this up with a question about how to treat combat veterans who have PTSD, but who may avoid talking about it.  Currently, for Federal and local governments alike, any hint of 'psychological difficulty' can end not just your current but any future career.  That creates problems of its own:

GRIM:  Andrew Lubin reminded me of this with the question about post-traumatic stress disorder. I talk occasionally to Marines who are back from Iraq, particularly some of the guys who fought in Fallujah in 2004, and a lot of them didn't want to apply for any sort of benefits or any sort of assistance with PTSD and, you know, any similar thing, on account of fear -- a very justified fear -- that it might interfere with their future employment prospects or other sorts of things.

In looking at considering ways of dealing with this problem in the future, are you taking steps or recommending steps to ensure that people who feel like they need maybe to seek a little help are not going to then be penalized for seeking help in the future?

COL. SACKETT: Well, from our standpoint, you know, with HIPAA, we do not forward this information to anybody. So if they come directly to us, this information stays between me and the claimant. But as far as it going outside, I realize that stigma out there. I mean, we've seen this very clearly with CRSC, where many veterans did not submit for PTSD from World War II because of the stigma attached, and from Vietnam -- you name it. And so I think for a retiree, it's not so much of an issue, but you're right to say for TSGLI, that could be an issue if this program were to allow for it.

However, one thing that you have to be aware of is now the services, the medical command -- and I don't want to speak outside of my area -- but I do know they are working very proactively on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan with what they call the MACE test -- M- A-C-E -- and it's a Medical Analysis Cranial Examination, I believe. And this is something also that AW2, Army Wounded Warrior, has addressed specifically and could probably provide you more information on how they're handling the stigma of PTSD.

GRIM: It's not the stigma so much as it is the statutory aspects. You were talking about informing, you know, people about what legislation you might need to address. I was wondering if this is something that you've considered.

For example, if you're a former Marine and you apply for a job with Homeland Security, one of the questions they're going to ask you under oath is, you know, have you had medical treatment for psychological issues? That's something that, if you're talking about legislation, you might want to think about in order to make sure that people are willing to come forward and get help if they feel like they need it. I was just wondering if it is something that your office is considering, and to what degree you have addressed it.

COL. SACKETT: You know, the one reason I like going out of the office and talking to soldiers and various TDY trips is to get that kind of feedback. You know, if you stay inside your office and just execute the program, you don't get feedback like that, and so that kind of feedback is truly invaluable because I hadn't looked beyond the program scope to think of what impact that would cause to future employment for any service member with PTSD. I know within the service, that's been a concern, but now I think the service in itself is starting to take that into account. You have individuals coming back from Iraq, Afghanistan, who do have various forms of posttraumatic stress syndrome and now will be identified, whether they like it or not, right up front.

But then again, these individuals are going to stand for their career purposes and will be getting secret clearances and top-secret clearances.

So I can't but think that that will be taken into account in the DOD level and that you're certainly right. That needs to go forward into general society through the Congress. And that's a very good proposal and I'll see what I can do with that.

...

A. LUBIN: Colonel, to follow up on Grim's question, which followed up on mine, what about -- you know, I'm not thinking of the retiree who really has no stigma except maybe his, you know, wife is pushing him to do this. But the kid who's 19 or 20 comes back and wants to see the doc and suddenly, you know, because word of this -- it's all supposed to be secret but of course it never is -- leaks out that, you know, Lance Corporal Schmuckitelli is going for a PTSD problem and his career has kind of ended at that point.

Is there anything with the medical services to work on PTSD being as equally acceptable as having your hand shot off?

COL. SACKETT: Well, I have to say, from everything I've seen with the Army Medical Action Plan and the different communities that in MEDCOM are working that this is something that they're very concerned, first of all, to identify. If these individuals aren't identified that they have perhaps exposure to post-traumatic stress syndrome, and then they go down range to their unit and into a new company commander and new first sergeant, and all of the sudden there are behavior problems and they don't know why, and then they just X them out of the military -- well, by having this identified in their medical record, these are the kind of things that will indemnify them and actually protect them and keep them in their career.

So from that standpoint within the Army, I think there's more protection being built into the system by early identification and treatment. And a lot of that early identification and treatment will really lend itself to proactively healing a lot of that situation that otherwise, left to its own, just magnifies.

A. LUBIN:  Have you talked to any of the Marine medical people on this? Because I would -- I'm thinking of my son coming back from two tours. And first time came back from OIF 1, and they went through the things -- went through the surveys on the ships. You know, as the kids are -- and as Ryan said, no, we never saw no bodies; we saw no action; we -- you know, they would have killed themselves rather than talk about stuff like this.

COL. SACKETT: That's very true, very true. Yeah, there's -- go ahead.

A. LUBIN: Yeah, Grim, I can't speak to the Army; you can. But I mean, knowing my Marine friends, they'll -- matter of fact, I got an e-mail from a father yesterday, said, hey, my son has come back; he seems to drink more than before he left for Fallujah. Yeah, no shit, Oscar. You know, there seems to be a mindset that PTSD is not an acceptable wound.

GRIM: Yeah, I've heard lots of reports of increased drinking, although I'm not sure how much that has to do with PTSD and how much that has to do with hanging around exclusively with other Marines for a long time.

A. LUBIN: (Laughs.) I'll get you for that.

LT. CMDR. DEWALT: This is Brook DeWalt. I would just also just like to add as a resource for you all the issue of the stigma aspect was recently addressed by SecDef Gates, and if you go on-line to dodvclips.mil, it is addressed. He was in a -- I believe it was one of his weekly roundtables with the media, and the first few minutes of it on whatever the main issue was he did address the stigma issue. And so I believe that's going to be a resource for you all if you want to check that out. It's listed on there. It's in the first couple minutes of one on "Support and care for the wounded.

I think this is the clip to which Commander Dewalt refers:

Download 40cee4153c1994826b5d8457a00c03fb36005c70.wmv

Col. Sackett's office has written us back about three times since we did this roundtable last week, so I know they are very interested in reaching out to you.  If you have comments or suggestions, thoughts or concerns, leave them here. 

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Comments

[Kirk]

This is why we should never court martial a soldier that has gone off. Court martialing him would be akin to court martialing a soldier for losing a leg.

Bush needs to pardon these heroes!

[Grim]

This thread will not entertain a discussion about courts martial. It is about TSGLI and allied programs to care for the wounded. I will delete any further off-topic comments that are posted here; so if you want to hold forth on that subject (again), do it in another thread.

[Swede]

I'm on my second tour right now in Iraq. We had a guy who was acting eratic at times, really not himself. An event took place and we had to send him in for a psych eval. Turns out, during his first tour here, he suffered from a concussion and mild brain damage from an IED explosion. It was something you had to see to believe. Anyway, he's back in CONUS and getting medical care.

I was a medic, I've been through two IED's, both times with wounded Soldiers. But I never saw this kind of thing before. And because you can't "see" it, sometimes it doesn't get diagnosed and treated. But it's out there.

[HomefrontSix]

We have two pilots from here who were injured in a crash last year (one is currently receiving treatment in Texas, the other is here receiving treatment) and they are having trouble getting this taken care of. Both of them have been waiting months for this to kick in and nothing has happened. Their case workers are stumped and no one is sure where to turn next. Any suggestions?

I can't see that it should take MONTHS for a man who has had an above knee amputation, has lost several fingers, has a broken pelvis to start seeing payments. Is there a timeframe for this benefit to start paying out? I find it difficult to fathom the fact that families are having to liquidate their savings and retirement and go deep in debt because this program isn't working (which is what these families have had to do). One of the pilots actually remarked that it would have been easier on his wife had he died. No soldier should have to have that kind of an attitude, especially when trying to recover from injuries such as his.

Also, how much training are healthcare providers AND social workers receiving on TSGLI?

[warvet48]

I have filed many claims with the VA over the years. The average time for processing has been about 5 months. I filed a claim this last January 2007 and it was approved in May 2007. I have had a couple of claims that took longer, but most fell within about a 5 month timeframe. I dealt with the Philidelphia VA office for all of my paperwork. it can be a struggle when you're waiting on them. One thing to do would be to contact a VSO (veteran services officer) for asssistance. Usually the VFW, American Legion, Amvets, or Vietnam veterans of America can help on the troops behalf. Don't hesitate to call on the local congresssman or state representative. I know many vets who have been helped this way. One things for sure, you gotta raise hell, to get the attention. remember the squeaky wheel gets greased.
I retired from the military and filed a claim as soon as I retired and got 60%. Then I just kept filing for all the things that were wrong and am now 100%. I hate to say it but it took 9 years to get there, and I still have medical issues to file for.
One very important thing is to tell the troops to make sure that anything and everything that happens to them is documented (Medical/service record). That's the best way to ensure service connection for disabilities.

[douglas]

As regards the PTSD issues- First, the stigma issue needs to be dealt with from day 1. If it is to be treated as any other wound, it should be discussed as early as basic training just as basic first aid would be, as well as made part of medic training, etc. Mainly to watch for signs and encourage fellow troops to seek treatment, services, evaluation, whatever. Stigmas are dealt with from the ground up, not the top down. Troops also need to be reminded that it could be them in the future- set an example of support and 'got your back' attitude for these cases and you'll be supported when/if it's you.

One big question I have is, is there ANY preparation or discussion of psychological impacts of combat and related activities before troops go in? I would want to be prepared for the emotions, reactions, etc. that might be expected in the high stress world of combat. Are troops given any reading materials on the subject? I'd personally read Dave Grossman's books "On Combat" and "On Killing", and perhaps some others. I figure if you have some idea of how you might feel/react after going through some of these events, you'll deal better with the emotions. Preparation ad discussion of the sorts of troubling scenarios that might be encountered might be useful as well- Killing, seeing fellow troops or civilians killed, collateral damage, dealing with mourners, post-event recovery and it's gruesome aspects, as well as some photo documentation to innoculate to some small degree what they might encounter. I think I'd also find it important to try to set my mind as best I could in regards to the ethical issues that might come up. I think some of these are likely covered in training, but to what extent?

I'm just thinking that if our troops were as well trained for the psychological stresses of combat as they are for the actual performance of combat, they'd see a serious reduction in PTSD cases.

Now the disclaimer- I'm just a dumb civilian talking out of my rear, but I wanted to throw this out there in case I got anything right that might prove helpful. Thanks for you patience.

[douglas]

"One things for sure, you gotta raise hell, to get the attention. remember the squeaky wheel gets greased. "

I guess we wish it weren't so, but it's pretty much true in the civilian world too. No one will care more about your case than you.

[MrSparkle]

The quality of healthcare given to soldiers shows the reality of our societies.

I have a question about the US military: In the UK a lot of people join for the adventure training and sports. During these wars increasing numbers have been becoming extremely disillusioned because of their now mundane and dangerous jobs in Iraq/Afghanistan. The adventure training had fallen on its arse when the wars started.

What sort of adventure stuff (mountaineering, rock climbing, foreign expeditions, skiing, boating etc.) do the Yanks get on their times off deployment?

[Swede]

I do oragami and flower arrainging.

Macrame was beyond me.

[Gmo]

Every time some new insurance policy goes up its founded by a bunch o'GD genrals. I remember how that GD Eisenhoser made the military pay taxes. The GD clintonians takes away medical from retirees. Then some esso-bee say that the PTSD ain't nothing but the guilty consense. Some G.I. actin strange in the combat zone yousay. Well says I, you in the combat zone you act strange cause its the strange place. Some dude actin normal in there, uh huh, you better check hizaz. Whose responsible for the kids? Its the GD genrals an politicos which sends'em in. An then sells'em insurance cause thays blown to pieces. Its a GD travesty.

[Ray Kimball]

Douglas,

"One big question I have is, is there ANY preparation or discussion of psychological impacts of combat and related activities before troops go in?"

This really varies from unit to unit. Grossman himself has traveled extensively doing his "Bulletproof Mind" training with units. The latest thing from DoD is something called "Battlemind":

http://www.battlemind.org/

The training itself isn't bad, and has some good insights. The problem, as always, is finding time to train on everything you want to do, vs. everything you _need_ to do.

Grim, thanks for asking some tough questions on this.

[Glenn]

Well my son got back after a tour in Iraq and defiantly has PTSD issues but the VA says he would have to inpatient at least 2 days to get any help. he is still in the guard and if word got back to his unit it would be problems along with his 2nd amendment rights here in state.
We are used to dealing with the system as both his parents are vets also. but there needs to be some protection by Law for these Guys.

[Some Soldier's Mom]

Grim and friends -- Thank you so much for raising the issue of the "invisible wounds" (again!)

I have written frequently on my son's experiences with his PTSD: the stigma, the pressure from unit NCOs to NOT get treatment "suck it up and drive on"), the treatment by NCOs and other soldiers when a soldier does seek treatment ("they treat wife beaters better than guys with PTSD")... and most recently with medical discharge and the Army's failure to adequately compensate soldiers with TBI and PTSD.

While changing the attitude on recognizing trouble and seeking treatment, some attention must be paid to changing the "if you can't see it, it ain't there" attitude about the lasting and disabling effects of TBI and PTSD when those in charge of addressing the issues (i.e., the Physical Evaluation Boards) won't do so -- leaving young soldiers (19, 20, 21...) damaged and with little to show for their sacrifices.

While the problems these Soldiers & Marines face may not rise to the level meant to be compensated by TSGLI, perhaps a new method of measuring the effects on the lives of these young men (and women) needs to be developed? If there is a "scale" assigning a $$ value to "loss of limb" or "loss of sight", why isn't there (or why can't there be) a scale that compensates for a level of TBI or PTSD? As best as I can tell, unless a soldier is severely brain damaged by TBI or curled in a fetal position with PTSD, they are deemed "damaged" for the Army's purpose but not enough to rate compensation when they discharge them. And this applies to THOUSANDS of soldiers (and I presume Marines and sailors.) I know that there is also VA after the Army, but the Army's (and other services') determinations have broad and long-reaching effects on the military and their families (e.g., continuation of Tricare.)

[Grumpy]

This is one of those subjects that can just drive you straight up a wall! Grim, you have, at least one really BAD habit, you ask the really tough questions. Suggestion, DO NOT KICK THE HABIT! Grim, you raised the issue of "Myth #2" about documentation. It appears to me that Col Sackett leaves the responsibility of gathering this information on the soldier, WRONG! It should be Standard Operating Procedure, that a complete accurate copy of all documentation should travel with the soldier, no matter where he goes in the military or VA. These people have more important things to do, like surviving. In fact, no combat soldier should be required to pay an additional dime for this type of insurance. The VA and D.O.D. need to work together to make the transition seamless. Grim, this is why you were so important, People answer the question they are asked, not the one that is inferred.

Thank you,
Grumpy

[flag girl]

Thank you for addressing the topic of PTSD. It seems that while some people are aware of the behavioral aspects of PTSD, very litle has been written about the serious damage it can inflict upon the physiology.

[douglas]

Thanks, Ray. At first glance the program looks promising, and being accessible on the internet is a plus. This troubled me a bit:
"Battlemind Pre-Deployment Coming Soon"
I'd actually think the pre-deployment segment would be more important than the post-deployment segment.
As for having time to train for all you want and not just need- I'd think this should be in the need category. Unhealthy soldiers (or marines, airmen, sailors) are un-optimal soldiers. That should include mental health, perhaps primarily.

[Jeanette]

What happens when you lose a major organ like thyroid due to OEF/OIF? why can't I be compensated thru TSGLI? I have to take medicine for the rest of my life? I had 19 years and 6 months and was medically retired so I missed the CSRC also

[Army TSGLI]

Please see below for information on why PTSD is not covered under TSGLI.

• The intent of the TSGLI program is to provide short-term financial assistance to traumatically injured service members and their families to help with expenses incurred when family members relocate to be with the injured member. Generally, Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome does not express itself with such immediate severity as to require the relocation of family members.

• The Compensation program appropriately addresses the ongoing financial impact of PTSD.

• By law, conditions covered by TSGLI are severe injuries caused by a traumatic event (defined as the application of an external force to the body.) PTSD is an illness.

[jborges]

I got something different to say about PTSD, my husband has PTSD with severed psychosis and mayor depression disorder, the impact these cause my family it is big, he gets irritating for anything , he feels some one is following him, he doesn’t like to shave, go out of the house or bedroom we have to argue to make him come out , these to me I am not a doctor , looks like a Traumatic Injury (is an injury or loss caused by application of external force or violence (a traumatic event) to me is not an illness. An illness is something you get and then goes away, injury is something for life like the PTSD, I feel bad because he had to take a lot of medications, if he doesn’t have the med, he gets really bad and start seen things he is being like these since 2003, I think also that these type of soldiers should get purple hart too, not because my husband is one of them just because it is something that they had for life a mark in they’re life and records, they can not work or function properly in the real world , no one’s will hire them up, because the way they act and conduct they’re self. I see some one here a civilian said things that he never had go to war or to experiences like soldiers do, is not a matter of a brain wash with actions or teaching them, you can do a lot of training and read books and prepared some one but in the time of the real event your body and brain acts different. I just want to say that these soldierswith TBI or PTSD need to be compensate and get recognize with purple hart. I am going thru all these with my husband so people understand my point i ad few things in here.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be terrifying. They disrupt your life and make it hard to continue with your daily activities. It may be hard just to get through the day.Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms):

Bad memories of the traumatic event can come back at any time. You may feel the same fear and horror you did when the event took place. You may feel like you're going through the event again. This is called a flashback. Sometimes there is a trigger: a sound or sight that causes you to relive the event. Triggers might include:

Hearing a car backfire, which can bring back memories of gunfire and war for a combat veteran
Feeling numb:

You may find it hard to express your feelings. This is another way to avoid memories.

You may not have positive or loving feelings toward other people and may stay away from relationships
You may not be interested in activities you used to enjoy
You may forget about parts of the traumatic event or not be able to talk about them.
Feeling keyed up (also called arousal or hyper-arousal symptoms):

You always may be alert and on the lookout for danger. This is known as increased emotional arousal. It can cause you to:

Suddenly become angry or irritable
Have a hard time sleeping
Have trouble concentrating
Fear for your safety and always feel on guard
Be very startled when someone surprises you

What are other common problems?
People with PTSD may also have other problems. These include:

Drinking or drug problems
Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair
Employment problems
Relationships problems including divorce and violence
Physical symptoms

[fxrhawg]

I was wounded in Iraq almost 2 and a half years ago and have been searching for the Medical records from the aid station and the CSH that I was Medevac'ed too as well as where they operated on me. I need them for verification of my initail wounds so I could resubmit a TSGLI claim. Two weeks ago I was talking to a fellow Soldier that was wounded with me but not as seriously. He had told me that he had found the best kept secret in the Army and got his records. Everyone in the Army medical system that I have been dealing with all this time had no clue about it. It seems that the records for Medevac'ed soldiers who go through a Combat Support Hospital stay with the CSH and are stored at Ft. Sam Houston, Tx. at the AMEDDCS-PASBA. What that stands for I have no clue but the Great Lady in that office that I dealt with was Catherine Griffin. Once I faxed her a release form, she found the records and sent them to me registered mail and I had them within a week. For anyone who is having the same problem or know of anyone who is, here is the contact infomation to fix it. Please pass it on to those who need it.

Catherine Griffin, RHIT, CCS-P
PASBA
Coding&Training Section
DSN 421-8921
Com: 210-295-8921
Catherine.M.Griffin@amedd.army.mil

[grlewis72]

First things first, I would like to thank every soldier that has served our country from past to the future. I work for an attorney and we have begun taking on these TSGLI cases. What I don't understand is how they can deny a claim when all of the evidence is there. The problems that a lot of our clients have had in the past is that there is a breakdown of communication. A large percentage of the people who contact us had to call to find out that their claim had been denied. They were not even given a reason. I guess that happens when a privat insurance company like Prudential gets involved in Government. For more information about us, please visit our website-socialsecuritydisabilityclaims.net.