POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

After a traumatic event, it is normal to feel angry, sad, or to struggle to cope. As time goes by people usually adjust; however, some develop post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after a traumatic event. Both the symptoms and severity of the symptoms differ case by case. The categories of symptoms include intrusive memories, avoidance, and changes in thought process, emotional reactions, and mood. The most common symptoms are flashbacks, hypervigilance, and emotional detachment.

Veterans sacrifice for us every day, Veterans Help Group wants to fight for veterans to make sure they get the benefits that they’ve earned. We work with veterans across the U.S. to not only service-connect a veteran’s PTSD but also ensure the veteran gets the appropriate rating and back pay if appropriate.

Our Expertise

We understand how frustrating working with the VA can be. We know how commonly the VA fails to follow through or errs. We understand how overwhelming the VA appeals system can be.  We have refined strategies to ensure that the VA is held accountable and learned how to notice the details important for your claim. For example, before a PTSD C&P exam, our advocates review the client’s records and prepare our client for the exam. In one instance, one of our advocates discovered that one service record noted the veteran had injured kidneys in service. The word “kidneys” stood out to the attorney, and he wondered if the service record was proof of the veterans cited stressor, being beaten up in service. Because of our protocol to prepare our clients before C&P exams, the advocate was able to discuss the nature of the beating with the client, and it turns out that the veteran had been hit in the kidneys.  Thus, the veteran was prepared to explain in his C&P what happened in the beating, and how that event affected him since. After that C&P exam, the VA issued a Rating Decision service connecting PTSD, citing that event as the stressor. Our experienced advocates look out for our clients, noticing the details to ensure they’re getting the benefits they deserve.

How PTSD impacts veterans

PTSD can be debilitating for a veteran. While often symptoms start soon after the traumatic event, they can also suddenly be triggered years later. PTSD can make daily activities like going to work nearly impossible. PTSD can make a veteran feel like she’s lost control of her life, making things that she once enjoyed a nightmare. The symptoms often lead veterans to isolation, stripping them away from their support systems. It is important that veterans with PTSD irrelevant of the severity seek treatment. In addition to treatment, a veteran with service-connected PTSD of at least 10% is entitled to monthly compensation. Veterans Help Group understands how PTSD can impact a veteran, we’re experienced in working with veterans impacted by PTSD and know how to help get them the compensation they deserve.

Secondary Conditions

If you have service-connected PTSD it is important to consider if any of your other conditions were aggravated or caused by your PTSD. See below for other conditions that are commonly connected to PTSD.

• Alcohol or Substance Abuse or Dependency
• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Back Pain
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chronic Pain
• Coronary Heart Disease
• Depression
• Diabetes
• GERD
• Erectile Dysfunctions
• Hypertension
• Obesity
• Sleep Apnea

More Helpful Information

• PTSD Myths Exposed
• Conditions Secondary to PTSD
• Sleep Apnea Secondary to PTSD
• Permanent and Total VA Disability Ratings for PTSD