A former IDF combatant who served as a cook on a base in northern Israel during the 2006 Second Lebanon War was awarded 70% disability by the Defense Ministry.

The soldier began his career as a combat soldier but was reassigned as a cook when he sustained an injury. He served in a northern area base during the war; a move that his attorney insists resulted in his chronic depression, resulting from the rocket attacks during the war. The soldier was awarded a 5% disability pension.

As time went on, he was admitted to a psychiatric facility on three occasions, unable to hold down a job or earn a livelihood. Appealing the 5% ruling, the soldier was awarded a 70% pension, conclusively proving his inability to function as a regular productive member of society was directly related to his post traumatic stress disorder incurred in the war.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)