Post-traumatic stress disorder is defined as a condition where an individual recalls a traumatic experience from their past. People that have this condition are suffering from fear and will often relive the trauma in a variety of ways, like when they’re dreaming or within their memories. PTSD is usually a condition that veterans and people returning from the military experience when they have bared witness to various negative experiences during times of war. The condition was once called neurosis, battle fatigue, and shell shock.
PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder. The disorder matures after an individual is exposed to death or significant injury to either someone who is close to them or themselves. PTSD can last for a long time after the event that traumatized the person, unlike other anxiety disorders.
Making a VA (Veterans Administration) Claim
If you’re looking to file a disability claim with the VA, you are looking to submit a VA form 21-526 also known as the Veterans Application for Compensation and/or Pension. You will submit the application to the Compensation and Pension Service department located at the VBA (Veterans Benefits Administration). You’re required to be seen by a qualified Psychiatrist at the VA medical facility so that you can be formerly diagnosed with PSTD.
Qualifications for Disability Benefits Caused by PTSD
In 2010, new guidelines passed that outlined the eligibility requirements to apply for VA disability benefits due to post-traumatic stress disorder. To make things simpler, the following conditions were listed in the new guidelines:
* The veteran has to be diagnosed with PTSD.
* The symptoms present in the veteran’s condition must be associated with a traumatic incident (the “stressor”).
* A VA psychologist or psychiatrist must confirm that the initiating stressor was sufficient enough to cause PTSD.
* The stressor is connected to fear of aggressive terrorist or military activity.
* The stressor is one that is probable to have occurred in the circumstances and location of the veteran’s duty (and there is no indication of the contrary).
Since you don’t have to submit evidence anymore proving that the traumatic incident occurred, you should have a fast and easy process qualifying for VA benefits.
Getting a Disability Rating for PTSD
In allocating a proper amount of disability benefits, the VBA will deliberate on various things such as:
1. The severity of your PTSD symptoms.
2. The frequency in which they occur.
3. The timespan of your remissions (days of progress).
4. How impaired you are to function and work regularly.
For instance, a veteran with minor or temporary symptoms of PTSD that are controlled well with medicine may get a 10% disability score. For more facts on PTSD from the VA, visit us or contact a local VA Disability attorney in Cleveland, liner Legal.
