Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders that military members suffer from during and after their service. Yet, it is also one of the most difficult conditions to prove when establishing disability benefits for veterans. A knowledgeable disability benefits attorney in your area is your best chance to prove that you are suffering from PTSD and deserve compensation for your military service-related condition.
Elements of a PTSD Disability Benefits Claim
The first element of a PTSD disability benefits claim is that the veteran must have a present diagnosis of the condition by a psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed social worker, or another mental healthcare provider. The second element of a PTSD claim is proof that the condition was caused by an in-service stressor. Generally speaking, a stressor pertains to a traumatic event or incident likely to cause mental distress. For military members, this can include engaging in combat or a combat-related incident, witnessing fatal or near-fatal incidents, and similar situations.
The level of proof required for the second element of a PTSD claim is dependent on whether the veteran is a combat veteran. If so, the statement about the stressor is usually accepted as enough proof for the claim. If the military member is not a combat veteran, the claim must contain independent evidence of the incident. This can be done through corroborating military records or a buddy statement of a person who went through the same experience.
The last element of a PTSD claim is the nexus requirement, which is the causal link between the traumatic incident that occurred during service and the present condition. The nexus can be proven by a healthcare professional or another expert who can confirm that the traumatic experience caused the veteran’s current PTSD.
How a Lawyer Can Help
In order to prove PTSD for a disability claim, a veteran must prove many elements with a considerable amount of evidence. An attorney can help you gather all the evidence you need and ensure that your application for benefits contains everything you need to prove your claim. Lawyers have connections to the top healthcare professionals and experts to render opinions on your behalf to prove that you currently have post-traumatic stress disorder as well as that a nexus exists between the trauma you suffered as an active military member and your current condition. An attorney can request the documents necessary or help draft statements to prove that the incidents you claim caused the PTSD took place. If your initial claim is denied, a lawyer is the best possible person to argue your appeal.
Talk to an Attorney Today
If you have additional questions about PTSD claims for disability benefits or why this particular claim is so difficult to prove, call or contact a local disability benefits attorney in your area today to schedule an appointment to discuss your legal needs.
