Decorated Veteran's Family Receives $2.5 Million VA Settlement in Negligence Death

The family of Staff Sgt. Aaron Merritt, a highly decorated Army veteran, received a $2.5 million settlement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in late 2018 following his death in October 2014 at the Nashville VA Hospital. Merritt's death, which occurred just months after his honorable discharge, was attributed to medical negligence, specifically a "lack of communication between doctors and a failure to adhere to basic medical procedures," as highlighted by a close associate. The settlement, however, did not include an admission of guilt from the VA.

Merritt, who was 26 at the time of his passing, served eight years in the Army, including three combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as an explosive ordnance disposal technician. He was twice awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, once for rendering aid to a wounded Afghan soldier under fire and again for resupplying mortars during a firefight. "Wherever he was combat followed. We were all sure he was going to get killed, so civilian life seemed like a safe choice for him. We were wrong," his teammate recounted, underscoring the tragic irony of his death after surviving intense combat.

The lawsuit, filed by Merritt's parents, Carol and Steven Merritt, alleged that VA doctors failed to properly monitor his reaction to prescribed medication for ulcerative colitis. Merritt had been diagnosed with the condition in January 2014 and was prescribed azathioprine, an anti-inflammatory drug known to suppress the immune system and require regular blood monitoring. Court documents revealed that doctors ordered only one blood count in nearly six months, significantly deviating from recommended protocols, leading to septic shock and critical blood component deficiencies.

Before his death, Merritt emailed his VA physician detailing severe symptoms, including flare-ups, high temperatures, and difficulty eating and drinking. His condition rapidly deteriorated upon admission to the emergency room, leading to his death from complications including refractory acidosis and septic shock. The $2.5 million settlement was reached to avoid further litigation, with his family stating, "No amount of money will ever replace Aaron," and expressing their desire for accountability and systemic change within the VA healthcare system.

The case has drawn attention to ongoing concerns regarding the quality of care within the VA system and has reportedly been used as a teaching example for medical students at Vanderbilt University. Merritt's family continues to advocate for improved veteran healthcare, hoping that their son's story will prevent similar tragedies.