How to Prove PTSD to the VA: A Comprehensive Guide

VA stands for Veteran Affairs Disability Compensation for people suffering from PTSD. It is a kind of tax-free disability compensation received every month by veterans affected by the condition. The benefits also include free PTSD medical care/treatment.

But given the complexity of the mental condition, the many types or classifications present, and its hard-to-diagnose nature, verifying claims and getting the benefits can be tricky as it requires solid testimonies and strong medical proof.

As a veteran, this compensation is only available to you if you can successfully prove that your PTSD was a direct result of your time spent in military service and the trauma you experienced while on active duty.

How to actually prove this to the VA? We have provided all the information in this guide.

Is Your Claim Rejected?

Rejection by the VA is frustrating! But the good news is that you are not alone.

There are many reasons why the VA rejects your claim for long-term PTSD-related care. We have listed the major ones, so you know what to expect and ensure you are not underprepared when it’s time to request VA benefits.

1. Your source of trauma causing PTSD is vague – You must prove that your PTSD was directly caused by a traumatic event during your military service. If failing this, your claim can be denied.
2. The submitted documentation is not up to the mark – Extensive paperwork is often the hallmark of getting your PTSD claims verified by the VA. There is no way you can avoid or skip this. There are many veterans who were refused the benefits because they submitted incorrect information or supporting documents. So, the most crucial step is to complete and submit a Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for PTSD on VA form 21-0781.
3. Inadequate information – Supporting your case with appropriate documents, employment, medical records, and positive reviews by friends or coworkers is a major factor that can make or break your PTSD claim. These are very important inquiries you may possibly have to face.
4. An error by the VA – Unfortunate but true! The VA may end up making mistakes as they receive a huge number of claim applications every year. So, a refused PTSD benefits claim can be unknowingly caused due to the VA.

Make sure to keep the above tips in mind before applying for combat PTSD benefits to the VA.

But you do not have to be disheartened if your claim is refused by the VA. They have anyway made it very difficult for veterans to prove and win their combat PTSD claims by imposing a long list of proof requirements.

The condition must be assessed correctly by licensed mental health practitioners and backed by enough evidence to get started on the right note.

Combat PTSD Diagnosis

This step is obviously non-negotiable. A mental health professional diagnoses PTSD using various evaluation tests, lab testing, and a complete physical as well as a mental state check-up.

A PTSD screen test is the initial test recommended wherein you will be required to answer a brief questionnaire designed to assess how the traumatic memories from your past military operations have affected your daily functioning and the overall outlook toward life.

Based on the result of your initial screening, you will most likely undergo a more detailed evaluation if the signs and symptoms of PTSD are evident.

Further assessment may boil down to a specific context set by individual experiences of combat trauma. This will differ from patient to patient based on the unique incidents and triggers that set them off.

You will be required to answer questions such as recent occurrences upsetting you or causing extreme anxiety and the challenges faced while struggling to shut off nightmares or scary flashbacks. This is to ensure that your psychiatrist is well aware of your innermost thoughts and feelings.

Since this process dives deeply into the little details, your family members and your spouse may also be involved after a point, with your consent.

The abovementioned process of determining PTSD in a veteran may take longer due to the need for strict documentation mandated by the VA for disability claims.

Things to Know for Proving PTSD to the VA

Your claim holds no significance if you do not appear for the Compensation and Pension test.

1. Your disability ratings, according to the diagnosis by your doctors, play a crucial role on the VA’s assessment scale. It is compulsory to follow DSM-5, which is the gold standard for diagnosing mental health issues in the military.
2. The VA Form 21-0781 needs to be filled out by you as novice applicants, be as descriptive as possible here.
3. The DBQ or the Disability Benefits Questionnaire needs to be filled out by your doctor or your Compensation and Pension examiner.
4. An unclear diagnosis will weaken your claim, so presenting verifiable proof of your PTSD disability is important.
5. Providing evidence pointing to a bad incident while serving in the army that can be directly attributed to your PTSD. Examples of some triggers are witnessing the suicide of fellow veterans, sexual trauma on duty, PTSD instances not related to war times but certain disturbing incidents or unfortunate accidents witnessed while you were on active duty.
6. PTSD triggered by an intense clash with enemies or terrorists does not require confirmation, but triggers arising outside of the warzone must be backed up by solid evidence.
7. How you present your past events and stressors is equally important. All the horrific events must be mentioned in chronological order to avoid confusion. The details will make the verification process easier for the VA, so be very specific about the place of the incident, date, time, etc.
8. Being honest about your feelings is highly underrated, so spit facts and only facts! No embellishments, sensationalizing, and sugarcoating!
9. Exactly describe your major PTSD symptoms and support them with your real-life examples to help the VA understand your situation better.
10. Mention your existing coping mechanisms, including the consumption of drugs or alcohol to deal with your PTSD symptoms. This way, the VA may be able to gauge how serious the impact is.
11. Ask your inner circle to attest to your transformation journey and submit testimonies to support your claim.

Filing a PTSD Claim to the VA Post Rejection

In case of refusal of your claim, you can submit an appeal within a one-year window of rejection of your application. The deadlines are taken seriously by the VA, so keep that in mind.

Here is a quick checklist to ensure your PTSD claim filing process is as smooth and error-free as possible.

• Double-check your medical documentation, proof, and records, including comments from friends, employees, and relatives
• Remember your previous mistakes, and do not repeat them. For instance, send the right form to the VA
• Think carefully about what was left out of your previous plea
• Convincing evidence is everything, so make sure you have plenty of it to strengthen your appeal

If all else fails, you can even consult an attorney who can help you get started on your claim and make a strong case.

Conclusion

The procedure is tedious but worthwhile if you execute all the steps patiently.

The VA generally assigns a percentage rating from 0% to 100% to veterans suffering from Military or Combat PTSD based on the severity of symptoms detected. You are eligible for disability payments if your disability level is 10 percent and above.

You can receive a 70% disability rating from the VA if you have PTSD and manage to prove it correctly. However, it can go up to 100% if you are completely disabled and unable to execute day-to-day activities. But such a high rating is often hard to prove.

Your lawyer can assist you in making an enticing pitch with authentic evidence pieces only if your PTSD creates hurdles in your personal and professional lives on a daily basis.

Last but not least, to make things simpler, you can take free consultations with VA disability attorneys and get them on board for a more dedicated service.