Help for Veterans with PTSD
A National Center for PTSD Fact Sheet
Veterans experiencing the symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
often request several types of assistance, as do their families. To find the VA medical center, community based outpatient clinic or Veterans Center nearest to you see the Veterans Affairs Facilities locator. As a research
and education organization, the National Center for PTSD cannot provide this
assistance, but we can refer you to the people who can provide assistance. Here
are the answers to some questions about PTSD and service-connected disability
that are frequently asked by veterans and their families.
Note: After returning from a deployment ALL service members should enroll in VA whether or not they intend to use the services VA provides. This ensures that if a problem of any kind ever develops, information is already in the system that can help with access to services.
Do I have PTSD?
A natural first question is whether symptoms experienced really are due to PTSD.
Stress and trauma cause symptoms that are normal reactions and these symptoms may not
be indicative of the full
condition of PTSD. Similar symptoms may be due to conditions created by
stressors other than trauma (for example, work or financial pressures), medical
problems (such as heart conditions or diabetes), or other psychological
conditions (such as depression or anxiety).
Resources:
The VA Medical Center system's specialized PTSD clinics and programs can provide
to eligible veterans educational information and diagnostic evaluations concerning
PTSD.
The Readjustment Counseling Service's community-based Vet
Centers provide information and diagnostic evaluations concerning
PTSD to any veteran who served in a war zone or in a military conflict (such
as in Panama, Grenada, or Somalia). There are no co-payments or charges of any kind for Vet Center confidential services.
Please call 1-800-905-4675.
If I have other stress, medical, or psychological problems, do I also have
PTSD?
Remember, just because you are experiencing symptoms (such as nightmares, flashbacks, edginess, hypervigiliance) it does NOT mean that you have PTSD. PTSD must be diagnosed by a professional and involves a specific set of symptoms that last over a period of time. Veterans with and without PTSD often have other types of stress, medical, or psychological problems. Many other conditions are often present in addition to PTSD. Sometimes PTSD is unintentionally overlooked when other problems seem particularly pressing, and it can be helpful to know if PTSD also needs to be treated.
What kinds of education and treatment can help me (or my veteran family
member)?
There are several types of education and treatment for PTSD that have proven
helpful to veterans and their family members. These include classes on dealing
with PTSD symptoms, stress, anger, sleep, and personal relationships.
Individual, group, and family counseling and selected medications have also
been helpful.
Resources:
You may wish to begin by reviewing the general information on PTSD provided
on our Web site (see below).
For specific options for education and treatment
in your local area, contact the closest VA Medical Center specialized PTSD program
or VA Readjustment Counseling Service Vet Center 1-800-905-4675.
How can I establish that I am disabled due to PTSD caused by military
service?
A determination of service-connected disability for PTSD is made by the
Compensation and Pension Service, an arm of VA's Veterans Benefits Administration. The
clinicians who provide care for veterans in VA's specialized PTSD clinics and
Vet Centers do not make this decision. A formal request (claim) must be filed
by the veteran using forms provided by the VA's Veterans Benefits
Administration. After all the forms are submitted, the veteran must complete
interviews concerning her or his social history (a review of family, work, and
educational experiences before, during, and after military service) and
psychiatric status (a review of past and current psychological symptoms and of
traumatic experiences during military service). The forms and information about
the application process can be obtained by Benefits Officers at any VA Medical
Center, Outpatient Clinic, or Regional Office.
The process of applying for a VA disability for PTSD can take several months
and can be both complicated and quite stressful. The Veterans Service Organizations
provide Service Officers at no cost to help veterans and family members pursue
VA disability claims. Service Officers are familiar with every step in the
application and interview process and can provide both technical guidance and
moral support. In addition, some Service Officers particularly specialize in
assisting veterans with PTSD disability claims. Even if a veteran has not been
a member of a specific Veterans Service Organization, the veteran still can
request the assistance of a Service Officer working for that organization. In
order to get representation by a qualified and helpful Service Officer, you can
directly contact the local office of any Veterans Service Organization. You
may also wish to ask for recommendations from other veterans who have applied
for VA disability or from a PTSD specialist at a VA PTSD clinic or a Vet
Center.
My claim for a VA PTSD disability has been turned down by the Benefits
Office, but I believe I have PTSD due to military service. What can I do?
Contact a Veterans Service Officer who can explain how to file an appeal and
who can help you gather the information necessary to make a successful appeal.
You may want to contact a Service Officer who has extensive experience in
helping veterans file and appeal claims specifically for PTSD.
I can't get records from the military that I need for my disability claim.
What can I do?
Veterans Service Officers can help you file the specific paperwork required
to obtain your military records. If your Service Officer is not able to help
you get necessary records, ask him or her to refer you to another Service Officer
who has more experience in getting records.
Related Fact Sheets
FAQ about
PTSD
Answers to common questions such as: What is the best way to manage stress
related to terrorist events? Who is vulnerable to developing PTSD? How can you
tell when a person needs professional help?
General information on PTSD
Recommended
reading
Recommended books on PTSD for the public
Seeking
help
A general overview of the nature of PTSD and the resources available to individuals
suffering from PTSD
VA
treatment programs
Brief information about the Department of Veterans Affairs' network of more
than 100 specialized programs for veterans with PTSD
Website Links
Veterans Affairs Facilities locator
Vietnam Veterans of America
The VVA is a congressionally chartered not-for-profit organization exclusively
dedicated to improving the condition of Vietnam-era veterans and their families.
Resource
Guide: Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom
A wide variety of information for U.S. active duty, Guard, and Reserve service
members returning from war.
Veterans and Families Coming Home
This site provides information for families, employers, and communities, to help
support homecoming veterans in their transition from military to civilian life.
Resources and readings are provided as well as information on preparing for
homecoming veterans, career transition tools, support networks, and more.
Ameriforce Deployment Guide 2004
Fact sheets and information for service members and their families on post-deployment
including home, finances, career and more.
Courage to Care
This site created by Uniformed Services University for the Health Sciences,
belongs to the Center for Traumatic Studies and includes a wealth of additional
information. Clicking on 'Courage to Care' in the left margin will bring
you to an electronic health campaign for military and civilian professionals
serving the military community, as well as for military men, women and families.
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