New Medical Research Links Heart Disease and PTSD

New medical evidence reveals that those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are more likely to suffer from coronary artery disease. In fact, people diagnosed with PTSD may be twice as likely than those who do not have PTSD to suffer from ischemia. It is not entirely clear, however, how PTSD causes an increased risk for heart disease. It is noteworthy that investigators who performed this research enrolled outpatients from VA medical centers to participate in the study. VA has recently increased spending, research and care on disabilities such as PTSD and traumatic brain injury.

Seventeen percent of patients with myocardial infarction suffered from PTSD; a relatively smaller percentage of patients with myocardial infarction (10%) did not have PTSD. Further research on this subject could help veterans who suffer from both heart disease and PTSD obtain VA disability benefits.

Veterans Disability Compensation for Heart Disease and PTSD

As the connection between heart disease and PTSD becomes clearer, this will assist vets and their advocates in showing how these potentially related disabling conditions are service-related. Of course, disabling PTSD, alone, may qualify you for VA disability benefits. And the VA will pay a higher level of compensation for disabilities directly related to service-connected disabilities. Sometimes the question becomes how to sort out your conditions and understand the ways in which they are related to your service or to each other. If you need help with this complex process, we are here to help. Complete our free online veterans disability evaluation and we’ll help you sort through your options.