Simplify Veterans PTSD Compensation Rules
Author: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Published: 2009/08/25 - Updated: 2023/10/06
Publication Type: Announcement / Notification
Topic: Disabled Veterans News (Publications Database)
Page Content: Synopsis Introduction Main Item
Synopsis: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VA is taking steps to assist Veterans seeking compensation for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD.
• PTSD is a recognized anxiety disorder that can follow seeing or experiencing an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury to which a person responds with intense fear, helplessness or horror, and is not uncommon in war.
• VA is also bolstering its mental health capacity to serve combat Veterans, adding thousands of new professionals to its rolls in the last four years.
Introduction
"The hidden wounds of war are being addressed vigorously and comprehensively by this administration as we move VA forward in its transformation to the 21st century," said Secretary Shinseki.
Main Item
The VA is publishing a proposed regulation today in the Federal Register to make it easier for a Veteran to claim service connection for PTSD by reducing the evidence needed if the stressor claimed by a Veteran is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.
Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted over the next 60 days. A final regulation will be published after consideration of all comments received.
Under the new rule, VA would not require corroboration of a stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity if a VA psychiatrist or psychologist confirms that the stressful experience recalled by a Veteran adequately supports a diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran's symptoms are related to the claimed stressor.
Previously, claims adjudicators were required to corroborate that a non-combat Veteran actually experienced a stressor related to hostile military activity. This rule would simplify the development that is required for these cases.
PTSD is a recognized anxiety disorder that can follow seeing or experiencing an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury to which a person responds with intense fear, helplessness or horror, and is not uncommon in war.
Feelings of fear, confusion or anger often subside, but if the feelings don't go away or get worse, a Veteran may have PTSD.
VA is bolstering its mental health capacity to serve combat Veterans, adding thousands of new professionals to its rolls in the last four years.
The Department also has established a suicide prevention helpline (1-800-273-TALK) and Web site available for online chat in the evenings.
Attribution/Source(s):
This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its significant relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and published on 2009/08/25 (Edit Update: 2023/10/06), the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can be contacted at va.gov. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.
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Cite This Page (APA): U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2009, August 25 - Last revised: 2023, October 6). Simplify Veterans PTSD Compensation Rules. Disabled World. Retrieved December 12, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/news/veterans/ptsd-compensation.php
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