Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that many Veterans have heard of, but may not be familiar with its particulars, or even whether or not they are suffering from it. PTSD is commonly misunderstood and underestimated by Veterans.
Our PTSD Guide will explain what PTSD is (Part 1), what is needed to get PTSD service-connected (Part 2), what to expect from a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam for PTSD (Part 3), how PTSD is rated by the VA (Part 4), how to receive Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (Part 5), what to do after the VA decision (Part 6), and helpful resources (Part 7).
PTSD is a mental health condition that is classified as a trauma and stressor-related disorder by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V). The DSM-V describes PTSD as re-experiencing an extremely traumatic event (the “stressor”), usually accompanied by increased arousal, nightmares, flashbacks, and difficulty sleeping, concentrating, and remembering. Diagnostic criteria for PTSD include exposure to a traumatic event that meets specific stipulations and symptoms from each of 4 symptom clusters: intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity.
Some of the specific symptoms of PTSD include avoiding situations that remind the Veteran of the traumatic event (memories may be triggered by sounds, things they see, or even smells), negative changes in their feelings and beliefs about things, always on full alert and lookout for danger or being jittery, being surprised and startled by loud noises, and the need to have their back to the wall in a public place so nobody can come up behind them and so they can see everything going on. To be diagnosed as PTSD the symptoms must cause significant impairment or distress in the Veteran’s occupational and social functioning.
Many different experiences can cause PTSD, including combat, in-service personal assault or harassment, military sexual trauma (MST), or other traumatic event. It is important to know that not Veteran who is experiences trauma will develop PTSD; in fact, most do not. However, for those Veterans who do, PTSD is life altering. PTSD symptoms can be debilitating not only to the Veteran, but to their family as well. Many Veterans with PTSD turn to self-medication with drugs or alcohol. There is a perceived stigma around Veterans suffering with PTSD which results in many Veterans not seeking the necessary treatment because they do not want to be seen as weak or malingering.
If your a Veteran or you know a Veteran that is suffering with PTSD, remember that there is nothing shameful about PTSD. PTSD is a disease that can be treated with proper care and treatment. Continue to Part Two, What is needed to get PTSD Service-Connected, to learn more about how to get PTSD service-connected in order to receive the VA disability benefits you have earned.
PTSD Guide
