From SAMHSA's Weekly Financing News Pulse: National Edition - May 11, 2011: On May 10, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) provision of mental health services is deficient to the degree that it violates veterans’ constitutional rights.  Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans United for Truth filed suit against the VA in 2007, alleging systemic failures in the VA’s processing of disability claims and coverage appeals.  The court cited “egregious problems” with service provision, including an 84,000-person waiting list for mental health treatment, which the court concluded contributes to veteran suicides.  The court sent the case back to a lower court to determine what changes are necessary to ensure prompt care.