How to Make a PTSD Disability Claim

How to Make a PTSD Disability Claim

According to MedlinePlus, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects nearly 31 percent of all Vietnam veterans; 10 percent of Gulf War (Desert Storm) veterans; 11 percent of the War in Afghanistan veterans; and 20 percent of Iraqi war veterans. PTSD is a very serious condition in which the sufferer relives one or more traumatic events from their past. This condition causes extreme fear and anxiety in both sleeping and waking life. In fact, PTSD has been described as an extreme form of an anxiety disorder. However, unlike other anxiety disorders, PTSD can occur for a considerable amount of time after the traumatic event, and even affect the afflicted their entire lives.

Fortunately, regulations passed in 2010 made it easier for veterans to obtain benefits for PTSD; however, that does not mean that all sufferers receive the compensation they deserve for putting themselves in such a dangerous situation in the first place. If you or a loved one suffers from PTSD, and if you are having difficulties in obtaining your benefits, reach out the James R. Comerford of The Comerford Law Office, LLC in Chicago, IL. With years of experience in helping veterans fight for their rights to benefits, our legal associates have what it takes to help you achieve a successful outcome to your case.

Qualifying for VA Benefits Due to PTSD

In order to qualify for benefits for PTSD, you must first file your claim with the Veterans Administration (VA). They will send you to a psychiatrist who will examine you and make a diagnosis. If it is confirmed that you do, in fact, suffer from PTSD, you must meet the following extra requirements:

• Your symptoms are directly related to a traumatic event that happened during your time of service (the “stressor”);
• The VA psychiatrist confirms that the stressor was enough to cause PTSD;
• The stressor is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity; and
• The stressor is one that is likely to have happened in the locations of your service, and under the circumstances you described (and there is no evidence to the contrary).

Thanks to the new guidelines implemented in 2010, veterans no longer have to provide evidence of the triggering event, thereby making it much easier for veterans to obtain their benefits in a timely and stress-free manner.

PTSD Disability Rating

As with all combat-related injuries, the VA is going to want to know how severe your injuries are. In this case, they will measure the severity of your PTSD symptoms, how frequently they occur, and how much your symptoms hinder your ability to perform normal, everyday functions, including work. Your disability rating can range from 10 percent (symptoms are slight and can be successfully managed with medication) to 100 percent (symptoms are severe, occur frequently, and require ongoing, extensive therapy). For a complete list of ratings and what each entails, visit this website.

Consult a Chicago Veterans’ Benefits Lawyer

Though proving PTSD is easier today than it was ten years ago, many veterans’ continue to not receive the proper care and compensation that they need to get better. Our job at The Comerford Law Office, LLC is to ensure that wounded veterans’ are not slighted by the U.S. government which they served, and that they obtain the benefits they fought for and deserve. If you have been denied benefits for PTSD, call VA benefits lawyer James R. Comerford at 312-863-8572 to schedule a free consultation today.