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THE ULTIMATE GUIDE: ANXIETY IN VETERANS

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, mental health states such as anxiety are the most claimed conditions in Veterans’ claims. Stress is a normal reaction to an abnormal or traumatic situation, but it’s important to recognize some factors that can lead to an anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder. For veterans, these stressful situations are not necessarily limited to combat situations. They can include anything from marital problems to serious accidents that result in permanent trauma or losing a loved one.

Around 12 percent of veterans of the Gulf War have been identified with mental conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. This number is significant in the United States because it represents the highest rate of veteran mental health problems experienced by any war. This post will discuss anxiety in veterans, VA ratings for anxiety, and VA benefits at large.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a state of fear, worry, or uneasiness that most people feel in their lives at some time. It can also be described as nervousness and worry. Anxiety is a natural response to stress and danger, and it is not uncommon to feel anxious at times. However, anxiety can be widespread when it interferes with daily life. The condition can be controlled through proper management or effective treatment.

Common Types of Anxiety Disorders in Veterans

Anxiety in veterans can exhibit itself through three main anxiety disorders:

Social Anxiety

It develops when an individual is anxious about attending social events or interacting with others. The condition can affect the individual, whether alone or in a group setup. It is responsible for a lot of shyness and avoiding social interactions.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

A condition that is often accompanied by other mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. Generalized anxiety disorder causes worry or tension about various everyday situations. The individual may be worried about some particular situation or something bad that will happen in the future. Generalized anxiety disorder can cause restlessness, fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances, and muscle tension.

Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are sudden physical reactions such as chest pain, rapid heart rate, dizziness, and sweating. These may occur randomly or with other triggers. People are often said to have panic attacks if they feel it difficult to breathe, feel dizzy and shake.

Ratings Given by VA for Anxiety?

The VA Schedule for anxiety ranges from a maximum of 100% to a minimum of 0 %. There also exists a schedule of 10,30,50 and 70 percent ratings. Many veterans are stuck at 70 and 50 percent ratings for anxiety. The high ratings are used to approve disability for severe anxiety. The VA benefits can be revoked when the rate of anxiety is under 10 percent.

The VA Benefits for Anxiety

Many veterans diagnosed with PTSD are eligible for the disability percentage rating, disability payments, and medical payments. A depression rating has its own rules, but it also receives compensation due to the severity of symptoms within a certain period. The VA rates anxiety differently than other mental health conditions.

When Is One Diagnosed With a 100% VA Rating for Anxiety?

To be diagnosed with a 100% VA rating for anxiety, a veteran must prove an inability to work and suffer from extremely severe symptoms.

The symptoms include:

• Inability to perform daily activities
• Ability to hurt oneself
• Hallucinations and delusions
• Inappropriate public behavior

VA Diagnostic Codes for Anxiety

The Department of Veterans Affairs has established several VA diagnostic codes for various anxiety disorders:

• Panic disorder  (9412)
• Social anxiety disorder and Phobias (9403)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (9411)
• Generalized anxiety disorder (9400)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (9404)
• Other specified anxiety disorders (9410)

How to Prove That Your Anxiety Is Service-Related?

It is crucial to prove that your anxiety is service-related. This can be done by showing three important aspects:

• An incident that caused your anxiety disorder
• A recent diagnosis of anxiety provided by a health provider
• A medical nexus statement that connects the incident with your condition

Secondary Service Connection for Anxiety

It is possible to receive secondary services connected to anxiety. This happens when a veteran is suffering from another condition that causes anxiety. For example, a veteran suffering from a stroke may develop anxiety due to his inability to walk; this will be a secondary service connection.

For some veterans, a secondary service connection is granted when the condition is not yet apparent. In most cases, this may happen if it has been proven that the incident has caused mental conditions and evidence of treatment.

VA DBQ for Anxiety and Depression

The Department of Veterans Affairs has established disability benefits questionnaires for different mental conditions. The disability benefits questionnaire can be submitted to the VA to prove evidence in your claim that your condition is service-related.

 The questionnaire is based on clear and consistent symptoms that have appeared in a certain period. For veterans suffering from mental illness, VA benefits for anxiety and depression often depend on this questionnaire. For example, a veteran’s symptoms of depression may be continuous, without any interruption in the last two years; a veteran with schizophrenia may have intermittent and recent symptoms.

The important factor that should be highlighted in these cases is the number of symptoms and severity of the condition. To receive benefits, Veterans Affairs must prove that you have a chronic anxiety disorder or anxiety and depression disorders, as noted in your claim.

Get Help on VA Disability Claims for Service Connection Today

The basic and hardest step is identifying the signs of anxiety. For veterans, you may apply for disability compensation when you have been diagnosed with a service-related mental disorder resulting from the veteran’s active military service. Your disorder must have occurred or been aggravated during your active military service to be considered a service-related injury. When applicable, the benefits for veterans with anxiety disorders include disability compensation, pension, dependency allowance, and burial gratuity. For veterans whose, VA claim for anxiety has been denied or delayed and needs assistance to build up on a claim, get in touch with us at Veteran Help Group or call us at 727-513-5868 and get a free consultation geared to help you get the benefits you deserve.