​Navigating PTSD Claims: Tips for Success​

The traumatic nature of military service, especially when a servicemember sees combat or experiences other traumatic or terrifying events like sexual assault, can leave veterans with the disabling effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD caused by military service may entitle a veteran to VA disability benefits. However, veterans should familiarize themselves with best practices for pursuing PTSD claims to give themselves the best chance of success. 

Understand PTSD Claims

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by a severely stressful or terrifying event, whether by witnessing such an event or being in the middle of it. PTSD can cause a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms, including flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, severe anxiety, depression, memory problems, trouble sleeping, irritability/outbursts, or intrusive thoughts. PTSD symptoms may come on when a person becomes stressed or experiences reminders of the traumatic event(s). Recurring, uncontrolled, severe symptoms can have a significantly disabling effect on a person’s life, making it difficult for them to hold down a job or engage in social activities. 

Military service can expose servicemembers to numerous stressful events or situations, such as combat, explosions, severe injury/death of fellow servicemembers, capture by enemy combatants/becoming a prisoner of war, or sexual assault. Veterans who have developed PTSD may experience significant impairment in their daily life. As a result, their PTSD may qualify as a medical condition that makes a veteran eligible for VA disability benefits. 

Get an Official Diagnosis

A successful VA disability benefits claim based on PTSD will require compelling evidence of an official diagnosis. A veteran should have documentation of a PTSD diagnosis from a physician or mental health professional. An official diagnosis should have supporting documentation, including medical/mental health records, psychological evaluations, and treatment reports. A consistent, lengthy medical record can strengthen a veteran’s PTSD claim by proving the existence and severity of the disabling effects of their PTSD and connecting their condition to their military service. Furthermore, veterans should also have documentation proving their efforts to treat their PTSD, such as attending talk therapy or taking anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication. 

Gather Evidence of a Service Connection

A veteran will also need compelling evidence to prove that their military service caused their PTSD. Veterans may present their service records to prove they served in combat and engaged with adversary forces. Service records could also document a veteran’s exposure to traumatic incidents during training, such as suffering or witnessing severe injuries. Military police and Judge Advocate General records may also document when a veteran suffered sexual assault by a fellow servicemember or while deployed on duty. 

Veterans may also provide “buddy statements” to document and support evidence of traumatic incidents during military service. Buddy statements from fellow unitmembers or commanding officers may corroborate a veteran’s allegations of traumatic incidents during service. Statements can also provide additional details and context for incidents documented in a veteran’s service record. 

Anticipate Challenges

Unfortunately, diagnosing PTSD can be a complex matter. Physicians and mental health professionals may misdiagnose PTSD as generalized anxiety or depression, especially when veterans fail to disclose traumatic incidents during their military service. During VA disability claims, claims reviewers may express skepticism regarding whether a claimant has PTSD, the severity of the symptoms caused by their condition, or the condition’s connection to the claimant’s military service. Veterans should anticipate challenges and difficulties with VA disability benefits claims based on PTSD by keeping detailed records of their military service and medical treatment. 

Contact a VA Disability Benefits Attorney Today

When you suffer from disabling symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder caused by your military service, you deserve to receive VA disability benefits. Contact Veteran Benefits Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a VA disability benefits lawyer to learn more about what it takes to recover benefits for service-connected PTSD.