PTSD may be getting more attention now, but it’s been an issue that has been facing Veterans for decades. Regardless of whether a Veteran served during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, or on any combat mission, developing PTSD is a real possibility.
When developed as a result of combat, a Veteran does not have to prove his or her PTSD Stressor. As far as the VA is concerned, there just has to be evidence showing that a Veteran served in the combat-related area.
On the other hand, a Veteran who did not serve in combat must prove their PTSD Stressor. While it may seem simple, the question must be asked: “How to Prove PSTD Stressor?”
The easiest answer for How to Prove PSTD Stressor is to find the evidence. But, if it were that easy, VA Disability claims wouldn’t take two years or more. There are a lot of factors that must be considered when proving a stressor.
This includes the type of PTSD Stressor, when it occurred, and how the stressor impacted your performance in the military.
Before we consider how to prove a stressor, let’s first figure out what a stressor is, and how it impacts your case. The simplest definition of a stressor is a stimulus that causes stress.
As helpful as that definition is, it does not fully explain PTSD Stressor. In a VA Disability Claim, a stressor is an event from your time in service that led to your depression, anxiety, PTSD, and so on. Obviously, a combat Vet’s stressor is most likely his or her time in combat.
Besides combat, what are some stressors that can lead to PTSD, depression, and anxiety? One of the most common types of stressors our firm encounters is the result of physical or sexual abuse in service.
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is far too common, and our firm has a lot of experience representing Veterans who have filed these types of claims. In an MST claim, like many other types of non-combat PTSD claims, you may have one stressor or multiple PTSD Stressor.
For instance, for someone who was physically abused in service, there’s a good chance it occurred more than once. This is often the case for a Veteran who may have been subject to extreme hazing or physical attacks from a superior.
For instance, if a Veteran saw someone get killed during a training mission or witnessed a suicide, this would be a good example of a non-combat PSTD stressor.
The United States Coast Guard provides some good examples of non-combat PSTD stressor. For instance, it’s rare for individuals who serve in the Coast Guard to experience combat.
However, a lot of Guardsmen work on search and rescue missions. Due to the nature of their work, they are exposed to deaths that a Veteran who serves in the other four branches of the military wouldn’t necessarily be exposed to. It’s not to say that one is worse than the other.
They’re just different. Often Coast Guard Vets won’t file for PTSD or depression because they don’t believe their experience warrants a PTSD claim. Depending on the situation, that’s not likely true.
As technology advances so does combat. Most of us are aware of the impact drones have on modern warfare. A pilot can operate a drone a thousand miles from his or her target.
While a drone pilot may not physically be in a combat zone, his or her actions may result in the loss of life. Because of this, and several other factors, operating a drone used in combat may be a valid PTSD Stressor for PTSD. In 2016 we reviewed this topic in more detail. Read that blog here.
Stressors, like the entire VA Disability process, can be tricky. Many Veterans turn to attorneys for help with their VA Disability claim. However, it’s important to find the right VA benefits attorneys.
To find out if we’re a good fit for you, call us today for a free consultation about How to Prove PSTD Stressor?. Our toll-free number is 1-877-526-3457. If you can’t talk now, fill out this form so we can call you at a better time.
