CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka presided over a meeting with war veterans on the status of their medical benefits yesterday morning at the Disabled American Veterans Hall.

Isles to get $1M for vet care

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced yesterday it would give $1 million for improvements in mental-health initiatives in Hawaii.

U.S. Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka had requested that more money be provided to adequately care for island veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

The new funds were announced in Honolulu at a U.S. Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing, attended by about 100 people, said Akaka spokeswoman Donalyn Dela Cruz.

Post-traumatic stress disorder has affected veterans from all conflicts, including the Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars. It can occur after a person experiences a life-threatening event, said Dr. Jonathan Perlin, the VA's undersecretary for health.

"This is a major concern for VA because of the activities and exposures inherent to military service," Perlin said.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Congressman Ed Case and Vietnam War veteran M. Mark Giblin shook hands and chatted at the Disabled American Veterans Hall meeting yesterday morning.

VA facilities on Oahu serve an estimated 80,118 veterans, and many suffer from the disorder. Last year, a VA clinic that specializes in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder was relocated from Hilo to Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu.

Yesterday's hearing was the third of four that the VA committee scheduled in Hawaii this week.

The first hearing was held on Kauai on Monday, and the second was on Maui on Tuesday. The last hearing will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Department of Labor conference room in Hilo.