The National Center for PTSD reveals that as many as 23 out of every 100 veterans who receive care from a VA hospital or care center experienced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in their lives. This statistic is even more alarming considering that only seven out of 100 veterans who do not receive VA care have experienced PTSD.
Not all of the injuries that veterans receive from their military service can be easily seen. This does not make them any less real or disabling, and nowhere is this seen more clearly than with VA disability claims based on a diagnosis of PTSD. Veterans with this diagnosis who apply for VA disability benefits should be prepared for what can be a challenge in getting the benefits they deserve.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Described and Explained
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is considered a mental condition that is brought on by being exposed to a traumatic event. There is no exhaustive list of traumatic events that can lead to PTSD, but some can be:
- Being involved in a battle, dogfight, or firefight
- Witnessing a fellow soldier being injured or killed
- Observing civilians being injured or affected by war
- Listening to others describe traumatic experiences, referred to as secondhand trauma
Those affected by PTSD can experience a variety of symptoms. One of the most common of these symptoms is recurring, involuntary thoughts or nightmares about the traumatic experience. Individuals with PTSD can lose sleep, be unable to concentrate, or have difficulty completing even basic self-care tasks depending on the severity and pervasiveness of these thoughts.
How PTSD Impacts Your VA Disability Claim
If you have been diagnosed with PTSD and your condition is due to some experience you had while serving, you can obtain disability benefits. You can seek VA disability benefits for PTSD alone or in combination with other service-related conditions. In either case, the VA will consider your PTSD, either alone or in combination with all other conditions, and assign you a disability rating.
The disability rating you receive is connected to how limited you are in your ability to complete daily activities, including employment. Unfortunately for veterans, receiving the highest rating of 100% (and, by extension, the greatest amount of benefits) for PTSD alone can be especially challenging. The evidence supporting your claim must clearly demonstrate that your PTSD symptoms prevent you from completing any activities of daily living, including self-care activities.
Should You Speak to a VA Disability Lawyer About Your PTSD Claim?
If you are seeking VA disability benefits following a PTSD diagnosis, having Centonzio Law and one of our experienced Kansas City lawyers help you with your claim can be key to getting the maximum amount of benefits for your condition. Our attorneys can help you submit a well-documented claim, or we can review your current award and determine if you are entitled to a higher disability rating.
Get started with your PTSD VA disability claim by reaching out to Centonzio Law online to schedule a consultation with us.