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Second, be prepared to answer many questions. Click this link for the PTSD Worksheet, it will help you prepare yourself. The Getting Help page of this web site has more information regarding Vet Centers.
Third, select a Service Officer (SO) that you feel comfortable with. The VSO page of this web site contains information about VA approved Service Organizations (VSO) and finding Service Officers. If you are not comfortable with an SO, go to another VSO and find another SO. It doesn’t matter who represents you but you need to feel comfortable talking with him/her. You also need an SO that will bend over backards for you.
Fourth, fill out VA Form 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim. Keep in mind that it is important that you let your SO fill out this form with you. You know that you are sick or what you went through in combat but the SO knows how to best fill out the form and what to write. You have been living with your problem for many years but your SO has been filing claims for many years. Your SO will take care of sending your claims to the VA.
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Diagnosis:
You need to prove you have PTSD. The VA will accept proof of your illness in several ways:
- you can join a PTSD therapy group and attend group sessions on a regular basis
- you can request a compensation and pensions Exam (usually the VA will make an appointment for a C&P Exam - make sure you make your appointment, it’s very important)
- you can visit a psychiatrist on a regular basis
- make an appointment to see a VA Social Worker, they can help tremendously
- you can be hospitalized in many of the PTSD wards in the country, it’s only $5 a day if you are not already rated for service-connected PTSD
In any case, you need at least one psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist to diagnose you with PTSD. If anyone of these people tell you that, in their opinion, you are suffering from PTSD make sure you get their business card and give it to your SO.
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Stressors:
Proving your stressors can be very frustrating. This part of the process is one of the longest and most difficult. Researching your stressors when you have PTSD is heart-breaking because you need to re-think and sometimes re-live your stressors.. This is the step where most veterans give up on their claim because it’s just too hard. It is much easier if you can get some therapy before trying to research your stressors. Again, this is where the Vet Center counselors can help. Some veterans find it easier to talk with a counselor about their stressors.
Some very good sources of information that can help you prove a service connection are:
- the internet (veteran Web sites, search for locations, people, events, units, etc.)
- other veterans that you have met since military service
- veteran clubs (be careful here, clubs serve alcoholic beverages that a vet with PTSD doesn’t need, consuming alcoholic beverages makes your PTSD symptoms worsen)
- veteran service organizations (service officers, performing services that help other vets can lead you to vets who have witnessed your stressors, etc.)
- VA hospitals (you may meet a fellow veteran that shares a stressor)
MyPTSDClaim can help research stressors for the low income veteran, veterans without access to a computer, or the homeless veteran. We will give these veterans 10 hours of research time at no charge to the veteran. Note that we have the right to refuse cases if we determine we are not equipped in helping the veteran.
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