What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ('PTSD')?

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition resulting from exposure to direct or indirect threat of death, serious injury or a physical threat. The events that can cause PTSD are called "stressors” and may include natural disasters, accidents or deliberate man-made events/disasters, including war. Symptoms of PTSD can include recurrent thoughts of a traumatic event, reduced involvement in work or outside interests, emotional numbing, hyper-alertness, anxiety and irritability. The disorder can be more severe and longer lasting when the stress is human initiated action (example: war, rape, terrorism).

In my experience representing disabled veterans, PTSD can run the gamut from limited symptoms to overwhelming impairment. Combat-related conditions can obviously cause the disorder, but other stressors such as sexual assault are common. Any stressor that is service-connected can be the basis for a Veterans disability claim. I will address the stressors in my next installment.

Copyright (c) 2010 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.

New VA Regulations Regarding PTSD and Disability - Some Media Interviews and Commentary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has made it easier for Veterans to make a claim for disability based on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ('PTSD'). In the coming weeks, I will discuss the changes, but here are a few links to internet sources discussing the amended PTSD regulations. As always, you should read the regulation itself to know exactly what the law is, but these links offer an introduction into what VA recently changed when it amended its regulations regarding PTSD claims.

Charlotte Observer
Huntington News Network
PennLive.com
PRN Newswire
San Diego Radio Station KBPS (audio and transcript of good interview)
VetsFirst

Comment: Again, read these stories as an introduction and summary to the new PTSD regulations. One of the biggest problems in making a claim for VA compensation based upon a disability that came from PTSD has been connecting the Veteran's PTSD to their time in service. The new VA regulations appear to make this easier. Look for more comment on the new PTSD regs in the coming weeks here on Tucker's Disability Benefits Blog.

Copyright (c) 2010 by John V. Tucker and Tucker & Ludin, P.A. All rights reserved. For assistance with your Long Term Disability claim, ERISA Disability benefit claim, Social Security Disability claim, or Veterans Disability compensation or pension claim, call Disability Lawyer John Tucker at (866) 282-5260.