June is PTSD Awareness Month How to File a VA Claim for PTSD

June is PTSD Awareness Month. By raising awareness about PTSD, we can help reduce the stigma associated with this condition and ensure that veterans who need help can receive help. Unfortunately, veterans are at a higher risk for developing PTSD than the general population. According to the National Center for PTSD, about 20% of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have PTSD. 

If you are a veteran who is struggling with PTSD, please know that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you get the treatment you need. Also, an experienced VA attorney will be your veteran advocate and can help you file a VA claim for PTSD.

If you need immediate assistance, please get in touch with The VA Claims Lawyer, we are experienced in veterans' benefits, and our nationwide practice is here to help you. We will review your case for free and help you get the monthly compensation you deserve. Feel free to call us at 877 VET FILE.

Why veterans are at a higher risk for PTSD

There are several reasons why veterans are at a higher risk for PTSD. One reason is that they are more likely to be exposed to traumatic events during service. For example, they may have been in combat, seen friends or comrades killed or injured, or even been the victims of violence.

Another reason why veterans are at a higher risk for PTSD is that they may have difficulty adjusting to civilian life after their service. For example, they may have trouble finding a job, making friends, or dealing with the stress of everyday life.

What are the most common symptoms of PTSD?

Symptoms of PTSD can vary from person to person, but they may include:

• Flashbacks or nightmares about the traumatic event

• Anxiety, irritability, or anger

• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating

• Avoidance of activities or places that remind them of the event

• Feelings of guilt, shame, or detachment

• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm

  Veterans with PTSD

  Here are some other things you can do to help yourself if you are a veteran with PTSD:

• Get involved in support groups. Support groups can provide a safe place to talk about your experiences and get support from other veterans.

• Exercise regularly. Exercise can help to reduce stress and improve your mood.

• Get enough sleep. Sleep is essential for your mental health.

• Eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet can help to improve your mood and energy levels.

• Avoid alcohol and drugs. Alcohol and drugs can worsen PTSD symptoms.

  If you are a veteran who is struggling with PTSD, there are many resources available to help you. You can talk to your doctor, a therapist, or a counselor. You can also call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255.

  If you are a loved one of a veteran struggling with PTSD, there are also things you can do to help. Here are a few suggestions:

• Be supportive. Let your loved one know that you are there for them and that you care.

• Don't judge. It is important to remember that PTSD is a real and serious condition. Don't judge your loved one for their symptoms.

• Encourage them to seek help; if your loved one still needs help, you thoughtfully encourage them.

• Be patient. Recovery from PTSD takes time. Be patient with your loved ones; don't expect them to improve overnight.

  How to File a VA Claim for PTSD

  Veterans with PTSD related to their service in the military may be eligible for VA disability compensation. Unfortunately, the process of applying for PTSD disability benefits can often be frustrating and stressful for many Veterans to navigate. In addition, there are many reasons that the VA will deny claims, so it is essential to work with an experienced attorney that can get you the benefits you deserve. 

  If you are looking to file a VA claim for PTSD, here are the requirements and additional factors that will help support your claim.

  You must prove that your symptoms are tied to an in-service triggering stressor and that the stressor happened in the circumstances and locations of your service.

• You will need a PTSD diagnosis from a psychiatrist or psychologist to prove your condition (the stressor was enough to cause PTSD) and provide a PTSD diagnosis you can file along with your claim. 

• You need to complete and submit VA Form 21-526 application to the Claims Center within the Veterans Benefits Administration.

• Additional documents include; 

• Your discharge from Active Duty documents (DD-214)

• Copies of your medical records

• Form 21-4138 (a statement document supporting your claim.)

• VA Form 21-0781 Statement in Support of Claim of Service Connection for PTSD

Your statement could include a letter with information about the PTSD trigger or symptoms you are currently experiencing and letters from family and friends you are in contact with, highlighting the impact the condition has on your life. You can also provide written statements from other service members, friends, or family who saw the stressor or traumatic event, noticed a behavior change, or discussed the experience with you.

A VA attorney can help with your PTSD VA Claim.

PTSD, or Post-traumatic stress disorder, is the most prevalent mental health issue Veterans endure after returning home from military service. Although you may be eligible for a VA PTSD disability claim, applying for one may seem too complicated without assistance from an attorney. The stress of dealing with the VA can also send you into a state of feeling overwhelmed. 

At The VA Claims Lawyer, we're not just your legal representative. We're your advocate. We've successfully assisted countless veterans in getting the VA benefits they deserve. We can also help you obtain the best possible outcome in your case. If we don't win your case, there is no fee. Contact us today at (877) VET-FILE for your free case evaluation.