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If you are a veteran who has been diagnosed with PTSD, it’s highly recommended that you read this entire guide to receiving VA compensation. Each section of this concise, easy-to-understand guide is intended to help you get the best compensation outcome possible — and to help you get the assistance you need for your condition.
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What is PTSD?
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 and the VA alike.
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PTSD Service Connection Flowchart
There are three elements needed to establish service connection for PTSD in order to receive VA benefits. First, you must have a current diagnosis of PTSD from an expert who is competent to diagnose the disorder. Second, there must be credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.
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Compensation and Pension Exams for PTSD
Once a veteran files a VA claim for PTSD, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs will make the veteran undergo a Compensation and Pension Examination (C&P exam). The VA will verify the diagnosis for post traumatic stress disorder even if the veteran already has a diagnosis of PTSD from a qualified medical professional. This is part of the qualification process for VA benefits.
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Rating PTSD
Military service can involve exposure to combat or other intense and potentially traumatic situations, often leading to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). VA estimates that 7% of all veterans develop PTSD at some point – and that rate goes up to 29% for those who participated in the operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
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Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability
For severely disabled veterans, their goal is to get to a 100 percent disability rating. This rating, however, is not always possible through the VA rating schedule due to an individual’s particular conditions. When it comes to mental health conditions like severe PTSD symptoms it is particularly difficult to get a 100% rating at times.
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After the VA decision – now what?
Eventually a veteran will receive a rating decision from the VA which will state whether his or her PTSD has been determined to be service connected, and if so, what the rating is. The veteran may also be awarded or denied TDIU (see Part Five). At this point, the veteran will need to decide whether or not to appeal all or parts of the decision.
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Resources
A list of organizations and services helpful for Veterans experiencing PTSD
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