Dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an incredibly complex and difficult journey for many veterans. Your service created traumas that continue to follow you, but you are entitled to benefits through the VA for properly proven claims. PTSD treatment records can help you make your case and win the compensation you deserve.
At Centonzio Law, our VA disability attorneys understand the importance of what you are dealing with. We care for veterans’ issues and help them work through the frustrating disability application process. Our experienced team of attorneys can help you with appeals and until the job is done.
What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
A high percentage of veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder related to their military service. According to the National Center for PTSD, approximately 7 percent of veterans will suffer this debilitating condition. This is even higher for female veterans, with a rate of 13% for PTSD.
PTSD is a mental health issue caused by some terrifying or traumatic event. That event may have occurred to the veteran or the veteran witnessed that event. It can cause great difficulty coping with the event itself as well as life moving forward.
Symptoms of PTSD You May Experience
Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms typically begin within a month of the event, but some symptoms may not manifest for many months or even years. They can cause problems with relationships, work, and daily life tasks.
Symptoms often include:
- Intrusive memories or flashbacks
- Panic attacks and chronic anxiety
- Avoidance behavior
- Negative moods and changes in thinking
- Becoming easily frightened
- Difficulty sleeping
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
These symptoms and countless others characterize PTSD and may seem familiar to you. If your PTSD was caused by your military service, you have benefit rights from the VA.
Gathering Evidence for Your PTSD Claim
The trouble many veterans have when applying for VA benefits is not knowing what evidence to provide. PTSD does not have a single diagnostic test that conclusively proves the condition. Instead, it requires multiple sources of corroborating evidence to prove that you suffer from post-traumatic stress.
Evidence and treatment records that may help you prove your PTSD includes, but is not limited to:
- Notes from medical doctors
- Reports from psychologists or therapists
- Medical records of treatment for PTSD symptoms
- Lists of medications you take
- Letters from friends and family that describe your symptoms and life limitations
- Your testimony and written statement about your symptoms
- Testimony concerning the cause of your PTSD
Every application is different and the evidence that best proves your claim may differ from another applicant. A highly experienced PTSD benefits attorney knows how to investigate your particular application and utilize whatever evidence is best in your case.
Completing a PCL-5 Form
With the help of your benefits attorney, you will complete a PCL-5 form. This form requests information about the impact your symptoms have had on your life over the previous month. Your treatment records provide critical evidence needed to complete this form.
You will also be asked to complete a compensation and pension (C&P) exam. The exam helps the VA determine if your PTSD is service-related rather than caused by a non-military event in your life.
Apply for PTSD Benefits Using Your Treatment Records
Service members with PTSD deserve quality representation when applying for VA benefits. These applications require a lot of paperwork, answering important questions, and providing treatment records that corroborate what you are going through. This can be difficult to handle on your own, and many veterans are denied benefits when they apply alone.
The skilled VA disability attorneys at Centonzio Law are ready to help you apply for PTSD benefits. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.