What is PTSD?
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, commonly known as PTSD, is a mental health condition that occurs after an individual experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. People living with PTSD may include victims of natural disasters, car accidents, sexual assault, and wartime or combat.
What are the Symptoms of PTSD?
Symptoms of PTSD can range significantly depending on the person affected and their age group. Sufferers of PTSD may display one or multiple symptoms common of PTSD, depending on the severity of their disorder.
Common symptoms of PTSD in adults include:
- Reliving the event
- Nightmares or difficulty sleeping
- Flashbacks or unwanted memories of the event
- Avoiding situations that remind you of the memory
- Self-alienation or avoidance behaviors
- Uncontrollable negative feelings and thoughts
- General hyperarousal
Many individuals begin to experience PTSD symptoms within a few months of the inducing trauma, though for some, symptoms may take much longer to develop. Due to the variation of physical symptoms of PTSD, including headaches, dizziness, and chest pain – which can mimic other medical conditions – diagnosing PTSD can be difficult.
Assistance for Veterans Suffering PTSD
Veterans suffering from PTSD, whose trauma occurred during their time in service, may be eligible for disability benefits through the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
Your PTSD must be related to a traumatic event that happened during your service, and your symptoms are shown to interfere with your ability to function.
To establish service-connected PTSD, the general rating formula for mental disorder includes an assessment of the following categories: occupational and social impairment; impairment in thought processes or communication; delusions or hallucinations; persistent dangerous behavior to one’s self or others; inability to perform activities of daily living; memory; disorientation; etc.
Disability Benefits can include:
- Health Care
- Compensation (payments)
- Treatment for PTSD
To receive VA benefits for PTSD, you will first need to complete several forms and provide a statement in support of your claim. It is beneficial to seek the help of a Michigan disability lawyer to help determine your eligibility to file a claim and assist in navigating the claims process.
Additionally, there are other forms of government benefits that may be available for people who experience severe health conditions, such as PTSD. The VA offers treatment options for those struggling with PTSD to better assist them in managing their symptoms and helping to overcome their health problems.
Understanding VA Ratings
The VA rates PTSD under 38 CFR § 4.130, Diagnostic code 9411, and assigns a disability rating ranging from 0 to 100 percent, depending on the severity of the relevant symptoms and limitations caused by the person’s PTSD.
Ratings range from 0, 10, 30, 50, 70, and 100 percent, and may be higher if the symptoms are severe and significantly impact or preclude the veteran’s ability to function and work. The rating given is based on many different factors to help determine the severity of PTSD symptoms, including social and occupational impairment, as well as the frequency and duration of the relevant PTSD symptoms.
- 0% PTSD Rating: You have a diagnosis; your symptoms do not interfere with social functioning and everyday life, and you have no required medications prescribed.
- 10% PTSD Rating: You have mild symptoms; periods of high stress may lead to impairment in social and work settings, and your symptoms may be controlled by medication.
- 30% PTSD Rating: Your symptoms include: depression, anxiety, mild memory loss, or panic attacks; you have an occasional decrease in work efficacy; and occasional work and social impairment.
- 50% PTSD Rating: Your symptoms may include: panic attacks more than once a week, poor short-term and long-term memory, impaired judgment, or difficulty understanding complex tasks; and you suffer from regular impairments of work and social functioning.
- 70% PTSD Rating: Your symptoms may include: suicidal ideating, obsessive rituals, illogical speech, continuous panic, and depression; and you suffer from impairment in most areas such as school, family relations, work, mood, or judgment.
- 100% PTSD Rating: The highest rating considering you to be totally disabled; you have total impairment in the workplace and social settings; your symptoms may include: impairment in thought and communication, persistent delusions, danger to self and others, disorientation of time and class, extreme memory loss (such as of one’s own name or names of family members, and occupation), and inconsistent ability to perform activities of daily living.
Contact Disability Law Group for More Information about VA Disability Claims
If you are fighting for VA disability benefits, the attorneys at Disability Law Group are here to help you. Contact our Michigan disability attorneys for a free case review. Whether you would like a free consultation to speak with one of our attorneys who can help determine the best strategy for you, or if you have been denied and need assistance with an appeal, our team can help.
We fight for the rights of our veterans to receive the disability benefits they deserve, and disability is all that we do. Our attorneys have decades of experience specializing strictly in disability law, and our client testimonials reflect our demonstrated success and compassion. Call us today for your free consultation.
