A man of about 70 years old, a veteran who fought in Angola after the ceasefire, managed to win a battle of about a decade and a half against the Portuguese Army. The court forced the Army to recognize him as disabled and traumatized due to his experience in war.
The veteran fought for years to have his mental health condition, resulting from military service in Angola, officially recognized by the Armed Forces. The bureaucratic struggle dragged on for approximately 15 years until the favorable court ruling.
The ex-combatant's wife reports that, even today, fireworks trigger extreme reactions in him, causing him to hide under the bed. This symptom is revealing of the post-traumatic stress that the veteran developed during the conflict.
The case illustrates the difficulties that many former combatants face in having the psychological damage from military service recognized, even when symptoms are visible and persistent throughout decades.
