Memphis Veterans’ PTSD Claims

Veteran service members who have lived through traumatic circumstances, both in and out of combat, could find themselves living with post-traumatic stress disorder in the future. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that could follow you for the rest of your life.

If you are living with service-connected PTSD, you might be entitled to benefits from Veterans Affairs (VA). A seasoned veteran’s disability attorney could help you secure the financial compensation you deserve through a Memphis veterans’ PTSD claim.

Common Signs of PTSD Among Veterans

There are numerous signs and symptoms tied to PTSD in Memphis. These symptoms could be present in veterans who survived combat or lived through trauma in a non-combat situation. The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder might manifest shortly after the trauma occurs and can last for the rest of a person’s life. Some of the most common signs include:

• Alcohol or drug use
• Relationship challenges
• Reliving the traumatic event
• Avoiding situations that remind them of the trauma
• Depression
• Physical symptoms
• Withdrawal

These symptoms can occur as a result of a number of experiences a veteran lived through during their time in active duty. The stressors that lead to PTSD vary, but they typically include exposure to death, threats of death, or severe injury. While it is not uncommon for PTSD stressors to occur in combat, many people deal with trauma outside of combat as well. Non-combat stressors could include sexual violence or severe injuries during training exercises.

Qualifying for Memphis PTSD Benefits

There are requirements that a veteran must meet in order to qualify for benefits for their post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis. Without meeting each of these requirements, it is impossible to secure benefits from the VA.

• Obtain a PTSD diagnosis. First and foremost, an applicant must have a clear diagnosis of PTSD from a doctor. Without the necessary diagnosis, recovering benefits is not possible.
• Prove that there was a stressor event. In addition to having a formal diagnosis, it is also necessary to establish that the veteran experienced a traumatic event during the course of their military service. This traumatic event is commonly referred to as a stressor.
• Establish a service connection. Finally, PTSD must be proven as a service-connected disability. In other words, there must be a link between the PTSD diagnosis and the stressor event. In order to recover benefits through the VA in Memphis, the post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis must be service-related.

For help navigating the process of qualifying for these VA benefits, enlist the help of an experienced Memphis veterans’ disability lawyer.

Understanding the Benefits of a PTSD Claim

As is the case with all VA disability claims, the amount of benefits available depends on a veteran’s level of impairment. Their impairment is rated on a scale of zero to 100. A rating of zero means that there is no discernable impairment, while a score of 100 is fully impaired. It is possible to have service-related trauma but not be impaired by it.

When determining the severity of a veteran’s PTSD in Memphis, the VA relies on a test referred to as a Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale. The results of this test are used to directly correlate with the disability rating issued by the VA.

Discuss Your PTSD Claim with an Attorney

If you are living with the signs of post-traumatic stress disorder due to something that occurred during your time in the military, you might be entitled to monetary benefits. Securing these benefits could be possible through a Memphis veteran’s PTSD claim. To get started on the claims process, contact us as soon as possible for your private consultation.