Digging themselves out of a hole can be an immense challenge for veterans as they grapple with the aftermath of their service and navigate complex issues of life post-service. This was the case for Ben Pratt*, an Army veteran (’85-’89) working to get his life on track when he met Permian Warrior Partnership (PWP).
Ben met the PWP team at a veterans' coffee meeting, where he explained his current situation. Ben suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) and was currently at a domiciliary care facility trying to get back on his feet. He told PWP that he still needed help with his VA disability claim and obtaining employment. PWP referred Ben to a workforce registration and local career center to aid him in his job search. After this, PWP completed Ben’s initial intake and learned that he was only receiving a 10% disability rating. PWP Program Lead Roy Dobbins worked with Ben to guide him through the claim process.
With Roy’s support, Ben was able to increase his rating from 10% to 80% rating, including back pay. This support enabled Ben to get his prior bills settled. We will continue to support Ben in his journey to empowerment and finding solid ground.
*Names have been changed in this story to protect the identity of the individuals.
The Permian Basin is stronger when our veterans are stronger. Connect with PWP to learn more about how you can give back to the Permian veteran community by visiting our website and completing an online form: http://permianwarriorpartnership.org