Former servicemembers who have served on active duty in the United States military may suffer from a variety of mental health conditions that have a negative effect on their post-military lives. For example, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can manifest from a variety of mental health stressors on active duty and is a valid reason for a veteran to pursue a claim for disability compensation benefits.
If you have been diagnosed with PTSD, an experienced mental health attorney could help you pursue a claim for disability compensation or appeal a denial of your veteran PTSD claim. Veterans’ PTSD claims must follow a specific procedure, and our legal team can help you file a claim, as well as an appeal if necessary, to pursue the benefits you deserve.
Common Causes of PTSD for Veterans
Serving on active duty can place great stress on the human body and mind, and continual stress from being on active duty may cause severe mental trauma that can last for months or years after discharge. Understandably, witnessing fellow servicemembers suffer injuries or death may also leave a lasting impression on a veteran’s mental state. Combat service and the stresses that come from using force, or being threatened with violence, is the main stressor for PTSD. Many veterans, both male and female, may have also suffered from military sexual trauma (MST) while on active duty.
PTSD is common after such trauma and can cause a veteran to endure nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, or depression. As a result, you have the right as an honorably discharged servicemember to pursue a veterans’ disability claim based on the lasting symptoms caused by PTSD.
Filing a Claim Based on PTSD
To successfully pursue a veterans’ disability claim, you must prove that the incident leading to the disability occurred while on active duty and that the subsequent medical condition has resulted in a disability. Proving a claim based on PTSD involves an additional step of proving that a specific stressor caused your PTSD, which can involve suffering a serious personal injury, witnessing another person undergo serious physical injury, enduring a sexual trauma or a sexual violation, or many other unfortunate events. Sometimes, even the threat of personal injury or death may be the PTSD stressor that resulted in your ultimate diagnosis.
Completing VA Form 21-0781 provides information to the VA concerning the specific incident that resulted in your PTSD diagnosis. If you are a veteran suffering from this condition and are disabled as a result, an attorney could help you gather the information needed to prove your claim or file an appeal, including developing further evidence related to your PTSD diagnosis. We also work with medical professionals, including psychologists and psychiatrists, if further evaluations or examinations are needed.
How An Attorney Can Help With Appealing A Veteran PTSD Claim Denial
Physical wounds are not the only source of trauma for veterans, as many active-duty military members witness extreme violence or suffer from some other stressor that has a long-term effect on their mental well-being. PTSD is a common diagnosis for those who witness such events or endure these stressors.
If you suffer from PTSD as a result of trauma endured during your time on active duty, you may be able to win your claim for disability compensation benefits, even if you have received a denial, with the help of a seasoned and VA-accredited lawyer. VetLaw’s team of attorneys could help you prove that your condition resulted from an incident that occurred while on active duty, establish that a doctor has made a diagnosis of PTSD, and provide information concerning specific incidents or stressors that caused your condition. Call us today to discuss your veterans’ PTSD claim.
