Lawsuit claims Air Force, VA discriminated against veterans

DAYTON, OHIO- When Mike Engle transitioned from military duty to the civil service, he knew he was entitled to veterans’ employment benefits. He was surprised when federal agencies blocked his attempts to access these benefits. A military judge has decided that the Department of Veterans Affairs failed its duties to assist the veteran in seeking benefits. Now Mr. Engle is speaking out so that other vets are spared the years-long saga he has endured.
Mr. Engle is a disabled veteran, suffering from PTSD and other service-related injuries. In 2014, he accepted a civilian job in the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s contracting directorate. To successfully complete the Air Force’s contracting training program, Mr. Engle sought employment support available to veterans.
According to a federal lawsuit, the Air Force for years ignored Engle’s efforts to secure veterans’ employment benefits. The United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims decided that the VA had not fulfilled its requirement to assist the veteran. Engle’s attorney, Christine Baker, says that this decision came too late to help her client. But she hopes that other veterans in civil service know that they are entitled to receive help.
“Under federal statute, Mike and other veterans with service-connected disabilities are entitled for help finding and maintaining a job. The goal is to help vets live as independently as possible.”
Says Baker, “When agencies ignore veterans’ pleas for help, their conditions worsen and employment prospects suffer.”
Through his experience, Engle has discovered a passion for helping veterans. He is sharing his story to raise awareness about employment struggles veterans face.
“It’s hard to ask for help,” says Engle. “When a veteran returns from service and acknowledges that he or she is suffering, federal agencies should not be permitted to ignore that veteran. It doesn’t matter whether that agency is an employer or, like the VA, has been entrusted with the well-being of our vets.”

The Law Office of Christine Baker
2312 Far Hills Ave #390
Dayton, Ohio 45419
Contact Christine Baker at (937) 212-9013
E-mail: christine@christinebakeresq.com
On Instagram: @christinebakerlaw

Christine Baker is an attorney in Dayton, Ohio.

This release was published on openPR.