PTSD, TBI, & Mental Health Disorders

PTSD Background

PTSD became a recognized and diagnosable mental disorder in 1980 when it was published in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders (DSM). However, the condition of course existed prior to 1980 without the current nomenclature. It is highly likely that PTSD was misdiagnosed prior to 1980, and even after 1980 since the diagnosis criteria has gone through a number of changes with each iteration of the DSM. 

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Studies estimate that PTSD occurs in 11 to 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, in 12 percent of Gulf War veterans, and in about 30 percent of Vietnam veterans. 

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PTSD Requirements 

​To establish entitlement for PTSD benefits, the veteran will need to show that three elements are met:

1. Medical evidence diagnosing the condition in accordance with the DSM,

2. A link, establish by medical evidence, between the current symptoms and the in-service stressor, and 

3. Credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred. 

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PTSD In-Service Stressor

One of the biggest hurdles for veterans to overcome is to provide evidence of an in-service event. The evidence required is different depending on your circumstances. Below is a list of what may suffice as credible supporting evidence of a stressor provided that the evidence is consistent with the stressor:

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• PTSD diagnosed in service ⤖ the veteran's lay statement alone may be sufficient 

• PTSD caused by combat ⤖ the veteran's lay statement alone may be sufficient 

• PTSD caused by fear or hostile military or terrorist activity ⤖ the veteran's lay statement alone may be sufficient

• PTSD caused by being a prisoner of war ⤖the veteran's lay statement alone may be sufficient 

• PTSD caused by an in-service personal assault or trauma, such as military sexual trauma ⤖ corroboration of the veteran's lay statement with credible supporting evidence is required. 

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                                                                                                                         The VA may not deny PTSD

                                                                                                                         benefits because there is no

                                                                                                                         explicit record of the in-service

                                                                                                                         personal trauma. The veteran may

                                                                                                                         be able to establish the

                                                                                                                         in-service event by documenting

                                                                                                                         behavioral changes, odd social

                                                                                                                         behavior, deterioration in work

                                                                                                                         performance, and evidence from

                                                                                                                         sources other than the veteran's

                                                                                                                         service records.

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Mental Disabilities other than PTSD

These types of claims still require the basic 3 elements of service connection:

1. Medical evidence of a current disability;

2. Lay or medical evidence of an in-service incurrence of a disease, injury, or event; and

3. Medical evidence that links the current disability to the precipitating disease, injury, or event in service.  

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Recall, that there are 5 ways to obtain service connection, generally. 

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The Veteran May Claim a Variety of Mental Disabilities

It may be hard to determine whether a veteran suffers from major depressive disorder, anxiety, or any other type of mental disability - perhaps the veteran suffers from more than one mental disability. As such, case law holds that the veteran's claim is not limited to only one type of mental disorder. This is because if the veteran claimed anxiety, but it is ultimately proved that the veteran had depression, he or she should not be denied the claim for depression because he or she did not claim depression. Since the veteran might not be competent to diagnose a mental disorder, the VA will treat a claim for a mental disability to include any and all diagnoses, which might reasonably encompass the veteran's claim. 

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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

TBIs may be caused by a variety of incidents and may be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. Depending on the severity of the TBI, secondary service connection may also be warranted for Parkinson's disease, seizures, dementia, depression, PTSD, and diseases of hormone deficiencies. Contact me today if you believe that you suffered a TBI in service and/or if you believe that your TBI has caused other conditions.