PTSD, also known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is unfortunately common among military veterans. If you are a veteran suffering from PTSD, you may be considering a veterans PTSD attorney to assist with your VA disability claim.
A veterans PTSD lawyer can evaluate your situation and advise you on the best legal options for seeking VA disability benefits for PTSD.
For a FREE consultation with a veterans PTSD attorney in North Carolina, please call 1-800-525-7111 or complete the short form below.
There is no obligation and there are never any attorney fees unless we get you the VA disability benefits for your PTSD that you need and deserve.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a serious mental disorder caused by experiencing a traumatic event. Common traumatic events resulting in PTSD include events involving actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation. There are many causes of PTSD among military personnel, including combat, personal trauma, sexual trauma, and reactions to training. PTSD can present serious challenges for those affected. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of PTSD include, but are not limited to:- Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event(s)
- Reliving the traumatic event (flashbacks)
- Disturbing dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event(s)
- Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds the victim of the traumatic event(s)
- Avoidance of people, places or activities that remind the victim of the traumatic event
- Negative thoughts and a sense of hopelessness
- Memory problems
- Difficulty maintaining close relationships
- Detachment from family and friends
- Lack of interest in activities previously enjoyed
- Difficulty experiencing positive emotions and feeling emotionally “numb”
- Being easily startled or frightened
- Self-destructive behavior such as excessive drinking or drug use
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability and aggressive behavior or outbursts
- Overwhelming guilt or shame
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
PTSD in Veterans
Unfortunately, the incidence of PTSD among military service members and veterans is high. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) National Center for PTSD, many veterans of recent combat operations experience PTSD, including:- 11-20% of veterans who participated in Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Enduring Freedom (OEF)
- 12% of veterans who participated in the Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm)
- 30% of veterans who participated in the Vietnam War
- 23% of women reported being sexually assaulted while in the military
- 55% of women reported being sexually harassed while in the military
- 38% of men reported being sexually harassed while in the military
“Can I get VA disability for PTSD?”
The short answer is yes, but it depends… and the application and appeals process can be complex. If you are a veteran suffering PTSD, you may want to consult with a veterans PTSD lawyer.
For a FREE consultation with a veterans PTSD attorney at Riddle & Brantley, please call 1-800-525-7111 or complete the short form below.
The consultation is free and there are no upfront costs or attorney fees unless we win your case and you receive the VA disability payments for PTSD that you need and deserve.
Call 1-800-525-7111 today to speak with a North Carolina veterans PTSD lawyer.
Veterans suffering from PTSD can receive VA disability payments for their condition depending on the evidence and circumstances of their case.
According to the VA, PTSD is the 6th most commonly rated disability among veterans claiming VA disability benefits.
“How do I claim VA disability for PTSD?”
The VA will assign a disability rating when a veteran can demonstrate that their PTSD is service-related. In addition to requesting medical records and other supporting evidence, the VA will almost always require veterans seeking disability for PTSD to undergo a “C&P” (Compensation and Pension Exam) exam. In addition to presenting medical evidence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, veterans seeking VA disability for PTSD must also prove that their mental disorder has a “service connection,” which means it was related to their service in the military. It’s important to note that a veteran claiming VA disability for PTSD is not required to have engaged in combat. You may be eligible for VA disability for PTSD connected to any service-related activity, including non-combat situations. Veterans applying for PTSD-related VA disability can present documentation as well as statements from fellow veterans, family and friends as evidence of a service connection.“What is the VA Disability Rating for PTSD?”
It depends. The VA assigns a disability rating for all disabling conditions including PTSD. A disability rating reflects what the VA determines is the impact of your disability, and is recorded in values of 10 percentage points. For PTSD, the VA has disability ratings of 10, 30, 50, 70 and 100 percent. A 100 percent disability rating means that a veteran has “total occupational and social impairment” due to their disability. A 10 percent disability rating for PTSD means that “A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication. Unemployability can sometimes be claimed in order to qualify for a 100% disability rating for PTSD. Sometimes the extent of PTSD is so severe that a veteran is no longer able to work. The automatic disability rating for unemployability is 100 percent. A disability rating for PTSD is based on a number of symptoms designated by the VA, including:- Impairment in thought processes or communication
- Persistent delusions or hallucinations
- Disorientation to time or place
- Grossly inappropriate behavior
- Persistent danger of hurting self or others
- Suicidal ideation
- Intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living
- Impairment of short and long-term memory
- Panic attacks or depression affecting the ability to function independently
- Disturbances of motivation and mood
- Decreased work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks
- And more…
North Carolina Veterans PTSD Lawyers Fighting for Justice
If you’ve served our country and suffered Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to a service-related incident (in combat or otherwise), you may be entitled to VA disability payments and our North Carolina veterans PTSD lawyers can help.
Our veterans benefits lawyers have served North Carolina veterans for decades. We have more than 220+ years of combined legal experience and are proud to serve those who have served our country.
“Many of our attorneys and staff have close family connections to the military and we’re proud to serve North Carolina veterans.”-Gene Riddle, attorney and managing partner, Riddle & Brantley For a FREE case review with a veterans PTSD attorney, please call 1-800-525-7111 or complete the short form below. There is no obligation and we don’t get paid unless we successfully obtain VA disability benefits for you. Please call 1-800-525-7111 today for a free consultation with a veterans PTSD lawyer who can help. Justice Counts for North Carolina veterans and we would love to help however we can.