As I read about the note that was left by the Green Beret involved in the Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas, I am disgusted to read that “Pentagon officials have declined to say he may have been suffering from mental health issues.”

PTSD is a mental health issue and it’s deadly serious. My partner has been told by the VA that he doesn’t have PTSD … but they couldn’t help him, so he’s in private care that they pay for. It affects every aspect of his life, every day, and has for 50-plus years. They also say Agent Orange didn’t cause his prostate cancer, but he had it at 49 (and it’s returned after 21-plus years).

The burden of proof for causes of medical and mental health problems lies with the veteran (especially if the vet was Special Forces). If the VA was properly staffed and was proactive with all of our vets, and recognized that PTSD is a disability, I wouldn’t be writing this letter.

Linda Hillenbrand

Leverett