Military members are trained in combat for some of the most dangerous and risky circumstances, but not all dangers result in physical injuries. Exposure to horrific and life-threatening experiences can lead to psychological injuries in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD.
Post-traumatic stress disorder can have detrimental effects on a veteran’s ability to hold down a job, maintain relationships, and return to civilian life. If you developed PTSD due to your service in the military, there is a good chance that you are entitled to VA disability benefits. For help pursuing benefits, don’t hesitate to contact our legal team today via phone or by filling out our online contact form.
Identifying PTSD in Veterans
PTSD in veterans is more common than many people realize. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reveal that:
- As many as 20% of soldiers who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) have PTSD.
- About 12% of Gulf War veterans have PTSD in any given year.
- About 30% of Vietnam War veterans will develop PTSD in their lifetimes.
In general, PTSD develops when an individual experiences or witnesses a traumatic event, such as being in a war zone, and develops symptoms that affect day-to-day functioning. In soldiers, some of the most common PTSD symptoms include:
- Recurring thoughts about the event
- Avoidance of situations that remind the person of the event
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Feeling depressed, anxious, detached, or numb
- An overstimulated fight-or-flight response
Your safety and health comes first. If you were in the military and have experienced any of these symptoms listed above, we urge you to seek medical treatment right away. Doing so can dually help you protect your rights to VA disability compensation.
Tips for Increasing your PTSD-Related Disability Rating
When you file a VA disability claim, the agency will assign you a rating between 0 and 100. That number will essentially be utilized to determine how much financial compensation you receive in the form of disability benefits. The higher the rating, the higher the amount you could receive.
By following certain steps, you can safeguard your rights to disability benefits and increase the likelihood of receiving a higher disability rating:
- Make sure to include all of your mental and physical impairments on the application.
- Get statements from individuals you served with.
- Get statements from your friends and family.
- Obtain statements from a psychologist.
- Hire a disability attorney to guide you through the filing process.
Representing Our Nation’s Heroes
The best way to ensure maximum compensation in the form of disability benefits is by retaining a disability attorney who you trust. At POAG Disability Law, we take the utmost pride in assisting veterans and their families by providing compassionate, reliable, and skillful legal representation.
We have helped countless clients in all fifty states, so you can be confident that we can handle your VA claim no matter where you are located. We’re only a phone call away, so please don’t hesitate to reach out for a free consultation.
