How PTSD Affects Veterans

Veterans grappling with the psychological symptoms and subsequently physical consequences of service-related PTSD should consider pursuing VA disability benefits.

Summary

• PTSD affects veterans’ lives in terms of their relationships, careers, capacity to care for themselves, and their health.
• Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and even suicidal ideation.
• Even with treatment, in most cases, PTSD affects veterans for months or years after the initial trauma.

The Effects of PTSD on Veterans Navigating the VA Claims Process

As awareness of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has increased over the past decade, diagnosis of this mental disorder has increased significantly among veterans. Unlike physical injuries, the effects of PTSD do not inflict physical scars but still have a tangible impact on the daily lives of veterans. 

PTSD is treatable and the stigma around this mental disorder has decreased. However, many veterans still struggle with symptoms. VA disability benefits claims give eligible veterans the ability to better contend with the effects of PTSD but sometimes claims encounter obstacles from the VA.

If you are a United States Military veteran suffering from PTSD and have had your PTSD claim denied by the VA then consider contacting the accredited veteran claims lawyers at VetLaw about your case.

You can schedule a free case evaluation with us by calling (336) 355-8387 or filling out a contact form on our website.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder where a person who has experienced a traumatic and dangerous event experiences a variety of negative symptoms triggered by memories and reminders of the event. 

PTSD usually arises as a result of the difficulty with processing and coping with the intensity of traumatic events. The condition is treatable through a variety of methods. 

Historically, PTSD has also been known as shellshock or combat fatigue. These nicknames are misleading since PTSD can develop as a result of traumatic experiences that have nothing to do with combat. 

Anyone can suffer from PTSD regardless of age, gender, etc. although veterans have been found to suffer from PTSD at higher rates than the general populace. PTSD has historically also been an issue that has been largely disregarded and led to many veterans living with their disorders untreated. 

Shame, pride, and lack of awareness were primarily to blame. Current attitudes and education on the subject have changed PTSD from a misunderstood phenomenon to a treatable psychological condition. Accordingly, the VA recognizes PTSD as a disability.

PTSD Symptoms in Veterans

Veterans with PTSD will often begin to display symptoms around one month after the inciting traumatic experience. However, some cases can take several months, and occasionally even several years, to see how PTSD affects veterans as their symptoms begin to manifest.

PTSD symptoms are divided into 4 categories consisting of intrusive memories, avoidance, cognition and mood symptoms, and hyperarousal symptoms. 

Intrusive Memory Symptoms

• Flashbacks and recurring memories of the traumatic event
• Nightmares involving the traumatic event or similar elements
• Physical stress symptoms (sweating, tremors, pain)
• Stressful thoughts

Avoidance Symptoms

• Avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event
• Avoidance of thoughts or feelings about the traumatic event

Cognitive and Mood Symptoms

• Strained relationships
• Feelings of detachment and numbness
• Memory issues with remembering details of the traumatic event
• Persistent negative emotions relating to oneself 
• Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Self-destructive behavior

Hyperarousal Symptoms

• Difficulty sleeping
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Persistent tension, fear, and/or anxiety

To be diagnosed with PTSD, patients need to exhibit the following symptoms for at least one month. 

• At least one avoidance symptom
• At least one re-experiencing symptom
• At least two cognition and mood symptoms
• At least two hyperarousal symptoms

How Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD Affects Veterans’ Lives

Like many mental disorders, PTSD can affect almost every facet of a person’s life. Emotionally, PTSD can take an immense toll on someone’s happiness and create significant dissatisfaction with their life.

These emotions may be going on inside of a person’s head but they can manifest problems with how they function day-to-day. It is very common for PTSD to be accompanied by other mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.

The severe negative emotions and other mood-related symptoms of PTSD go hand in hand with major depressive disorder symptoms. The hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD also parallel many anxiety disorder symptoms as well.

The Emotional Toll on Veterans and Their Families Caused by PTSD

The emotional turmoil and other symptoms caused by PTSD almost always put a strain on relationships. This includes relationships with romantic partners, families, friends, and even coworkers. 

Many a relationship has given out under the strain caused by these symptoms which can compound the anguish suffered by those with PTSD. Feelings of alienation and loneliness tend to increase when loved ones are shut out due to paranoia, shame, and guilt over PTSD. 

How PTSD Affects Veterans Financially

Financially, PTSD can create significant losses on a veteran’s economic position as symptoms affect their career and generate additional expenses. 

PTSD symptoms can lead to issues at a place of employment as they can affect a person’s ability to interact with others and perform their duties. This might lead to the need to take time off, change positions, or even lead to termination from a place of employment. 

Losing a source of income this way is a further blow, and the additional expenses generated by PTSD make it worse. Treatment of PTSD does not come free and the expenses can add up. Medications, therapy, and psychiatrists are expensive and can strain veteran’s finances. 

PTSD Can Have Consequences for Veterans’ Physical Health

It is widely accepted within the medical community that mental conditions can impact physical health, and vice versa.

In the case of PTSD, psychological symptoms of the disorder can harm a veteran’s physical health. For instance, PTSD-related insomnia can deprive a veteran of sleep. This puts them at a higher risk for obesity, cardiac issues, hypertension, diabetes, and stroke.

Additionally, the ongoing stress of dealing with PTSD is linked to migraines, which can be debilitating. Some veterans with mental health conditions like PTSD have also reported concurrent gastrointestinal issues, such as IBS.

Those who attempt to self-medicate their PTSD symptoms with drugs or alcohol are in danger of becoming dependent, damaging their organs, and developing serious chronic conditions.

Veterans experiencing hallucinations related to PTSD are also at risk of sustaining acute injuries during an episode, as they may be unable to separate a perceived threat from reality.

Building a VA Disability Benefits Claim as a Veteran With PTSD

The good news is that veterans suffering from PTSD can seek VA disability benefits for their condition by filing a VA disability claim. The VA does consider PTSD a disability and provides benefits based on the rating you receive in a Compensation & Pension Exam. 

Veterans filing a VA claim for PTSD need to be able to connect their PTSD to a traumatic event that occurred during their service. In many cases, this service connection can be obvious. For example, the link between service and PTSD is clear when a vet has experienced combat, time as a prisoner of war, or a tragic accident. 

However, evidence does need to be provided to support these PTSD VA claims. Evidence can consist of medical evaluations, service records, statements from superiors, and incident reports. 

The VA still might deny a claim for a number of reasons. They may consider the evidence to not be sufficient, there may be errors in the application process, or there may even be an error on their part. 

Regardless of why, denial of a VA disability claim for PTSD does not have to be the end of your pursuit of benefits. You can still file a supplemental claim, request a higher-level review, or initiate the Board of Veterans’ Appeal process.

How to Get Automatic 50% Disability for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The VA does not grant a 50% rating for PTSD to every veteran who presents documentation of a diagnosis and a connection to an in-service event. Distinct from a standard 50% VA rating, an automatic 50% rating for PTSD is a semi-protected status.

It also requires a veteran to prove the military discharged them because of their PTSD symptoms. There are numerous ways that PTSD can interfere with a service member’s capacity to safely and effectively perform their duties. 

For example, the sound of weapons discharging is a trigger and causes them to freeze, their nightmares and insomnia have made it unsafe for them to operate heavy machinery because they are too tired to concentrate, or their depressive mood and self-destructive behavior significantly compromises their productivity.

To summarize, the requirements for achieving an automatic 50% VA rating for PTSD are:

• You had a traumatic experience while active duty that led to your PTSD
• A medical provider has confirmed your PTSD diagnosis
• You are currently experiencing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• The basis of your discharge was your inability to continue serving due to your service-related PTSD symptoms

Regarding the semi-protected nature of this rating, the VA presumes if PTSD affects a veteran enough to get them discharged, their condition is severe enough that they will have symptoms for some time. Based on this, vets who qualify for automatic 50% VA for PTSD get to keep that rating for 6 months before the VA reassesses it. 

Veterans with service-connected PTSD can still secure a 50% disability rating even if their discharge was not related to their PTSD. However, they would need to show their symptoms align with the description of 50% and they would not be guaranteed 6 months at this rating.

Contact VetLaw If Your VA Claim For PTSD Disability Benefits Has Been Denied

The complex nature of PTSD can make it hard for veterans to establish a clear service connection, pursue the treatment they need, and accommodate the demands of the VA appeals process for disability claims. Our team of veteran disability appeals attorneys is ready to step up for vets seeking VA compensation for service-related PTSD.

If you have filed a VA disability claim to seek benefits for your PTSD and have been denied then consider contacting the veterans lawyers of VetLaw for assistance. Our accredited VA lawyers specialize in cases involving PTSD.

We can leverage our experience to get you the benefits you deserve. To contact VetLaw about your PTSD VA disability claim either fill out a contact form on our website or call VetLaw at (336) 355-8387. We will work closely with you to secure the VA benefits you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a VA claim for PTSD related to Military Sexual Trauma?

Yes. The VA recognizes PTSD as one of the most common mental health conditions caused by Military Sexual Trauma.

Does the VA offer 100% disability benefits for PTSD?

The VA does approve 100% disability benefits for PTSD claims provided that the vet meets certain criteria. Vets with a 100% disability rating for PTSD have extreme difficulty working or socializing, as well as accurately perceiving reality.

For veterans who were discharged for exhibiting PTSD, the VA offers an automatic 50% PTSD disability rating for 6 months. 

Can I receive Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits for PTSD?

Yes, it’s possible to receive TDIU benefits for a PTSD claim if you meet the following conditions:

• Your PTSD is service-connected
• Your PTSD disability rating is at least 70%, or in combination with another service-related disability your total rating is at least 70%

For exceptional circumstances, your veterans disability attorney may recommend pursuing an extra-schedular rating for TDIU. PTSD affects veterans differently, so this may be necessary to accurately assess your disability.