Institute of Medicine says half of veterans with PTSD diagnosis got the recommended therapy

WASHINGTON – The Institute of Medicine says only about half of veterans diagnosed last year with PTSD after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan received the recommended therapy.

The report says about 53 percent of veterans whose primary diagnosis was PTSD got at least eight psychotherapy sessions in a 14-week period. The target is 67 percent.

The report also found issues with the way active duty service members with PTSD are treated. It describes the Defense Department's programs as "ad hoc, incremental, and crisis-driven" and says more planning is needed to develop a successful treatment approach.

Together, the two departments spent more than $3 billion in 2012 to treat patients with PTSD.

VA officials say they will address the recommendations. The Defense Department says it's been taking steps to address the problem.