What is PTSD?
How do I file a claim for PTSD?
What documents do I need?
How do I prove I have PTSD?
What happens after my claim is submitted to the VA?
How long will the process take?
Which medals does the VA recognize to support that I was in combat?
What is a Stressor Statement?
What information needs to go on a Stressor Statement?
What medical evidence will be helpful?
Where do I get Counseling?
Where do I get help filing the claim?
What is PTSD?
Virtually everyone experiences some post-traumatic stress after a distressing, upsetting event. However, if the symptoms persist and cannot be assimilated, a mental disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, may result. After a traumatic event a person may feel emotionally numb. That feeling is a way of blocking the strong emotions about the event. Some veterans may not have this period of numbing. For others it may last weeks, months, or even years. Then the veteran may begin to experience some combination of the following:
- Guilt about surviving where others did not.
- Depression or deep sadness.
- Nightmares or flashbacks in which the veteran re-experiences the traumatic event.
- Jumpiness, especially to sounds that remind the veteran of the traumatic event.
- A feeling of not being emotionally connected to other people.
- Avoidance of certain memories.
- The need to calm down by using alcohol or drugs, so-called "self medication."
How do I file a claim for PTSD
The process for filing a claim for PTSD is quite simple. We will help you complete the application which contains personal information about you, your military service and your dependents. It will help if you are prepared with information such as social security numbers of dependents, marriage & divorce dates, birth dates of children, dates of service etc.
What documents do I need?
You need your DD 214. If you need help, we can help you obtain it.
How do I prove I have PTSD?
You must provide the following evidence to support your claim for PTSD. If you do not have this evidence the first correspondence from the VA will most likely ask you to provide it. It will speed up the claim if you provide it at the time of application.
- Medical evidence that you currently have PTSD. You can obtain this evidence from your doctor or any licensed professional.
- Incurrence of PTSD in service. This can be a combat medal or your personal statement describing the event.
- A nexus or link between the stressor and the current disability. This is a statement by your doctor or licensed professional that the PTSD is caused by the in-service stressor.
What happens after my claim is submitted to the VA?
After receipt of the above , the VA will schedule an examination at the nearest VA Medical Facility. After the examination the results will be sent to the Regional Office where a decision will be made.
How long will the process take?.
If you have the required documentation and respond promptly to the VA, the whole process should take about six months.
Which medals does the VA recognize to support that I was in combat?
- Purple Heart
- Combat Infantry Badge
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Bronze Star Medal for valor
- Other similar citations.
If you were a POW you do not need to submit a stressor statement
What is a Stressor Statement?
Before you can file a claim for PTSD, the VA requires you to write a statement to support your claim. Getting your facts in order is very important. You may have a good case, but unless you can present it so the VA can understand it, you may make it harder on yourself and waste a lot of time.
To refresh your memory and help you build your case, you may obtain a free copy of all your military and medical records. We can help you do this.
As the name "post-traumatic stress disorder" suggests, traumatic events may trigger emotional symptoms some time after the actual event. To evaluate your claim the VA will require your personal description of the traumatic events and subsequent changes in your behavior:
What information needs to go on a stressor statement?
- Dates and places of your military assignments and specific duties at each location.
- Identify the events or experiences you found most upsetting.
- Describe events in detail, include date and place where events occurred and names of persons involved.
- How long did the events last?
- How destructive were they?
- In what way do these experiences disturb current day to day behavior.
What medical evidence will be helpful?
- Describe the symptoms you have had, including when you first experienced the symptoms.
- List the date you have received treatment for psychiatric or emotional problems prior to and after service.
- Name and address of the professional or facility who treated you.
- Provide supporting medical records from sources of treatment.
Where do I get Counseling?
Counseling is provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs through their Vet Centers to help veterans resolve war-related psychological difficulties and to help them achieve a successful post-war readjustment to civilian life. One common readjustment problem is post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. This refers to such symptoms as nightmares, intrusive recollections or memories, flashbacks, anxiety or sudden reactions after exposure to traumatic conditions. You may also obtain treatment and counseling at the nearest VA Outpatient Clinic or VA Medical Center.
Assistance for treatment and diagnosis can be obtained by contacting the Sacramento Vet Center at (916) 566-7430, 1111 Howe Ave, Sacramento, CA
Where do I get help filing the claim?
The Placer County Veterans Service office was established by the Board of Supervisors to assist veterans with filing claims to obtain compensation for service connected disabilities. We act as your local independent representative because we are not funded or connected to the Department of Veterans Affairs.