It is sad to say, but veterans suffer psychological disabilities at a rate significantly higher than the general population, with around one in four veterans suffering from some kind of psychological condition. This most notoriously includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it also includes a number of other psychological problems. But how exactly can you qualify for VA disability benefits with a psychological disability?
What is a Psychological Disability?
A psychological disability, put simply, is a negative mental condition that is severe enough to substantially impact a person’s ability to work or perform ordinary tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, or maintaining basic hygiene. While some people are able to function with psychological problems with the assistance of therapy and medication, that is not always the case. And unfortunately, veterans are more likely than the average person to deal with these kinds of severe mental problems.
What Psychological Issues Do Veterans Deal With?
PTSD is most often cited as a psychological disability that veterans suffer from more than the average person, thanks to their high risk of being exposed to violence or sexual assault during their service. Veterans also often suffer from depression and anxiety disorders due to problems they experience while in the military. Bad experiences during military service can also exacerbate existing issues that a person had before they joined the military, making them more debilitating and harder to treat.
How Can You Qualify For VA Benefits?
There are two primary ways you can qualify for veterans disability benefits from the VA with a psychological disability. The first is if you can demonstrate that you got your disability as a direct result of your military service, such as getting PTSD after experiencing live combat. The second is if you had an existing psychological condition that became demonstrably worse after serving in the military, based on your medical history.
What Should You Do?
If you served in the military and suffer from a psychological disability related to your service, you may be entitled to disability benefits. However, you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling VA disability claims. They can help you review your case, and give you the best chance possible at getting the benefits you rightly deserve.
The attorneys of Sullivan & Kehoe place a special focus on assisting disabled veterans. Our veterans’ disability lawyers are still available for remote consultation on your legal issues. Call our office at (800) 395-7830 to schedule a consultation in our New York City, Garden City, Kings Park, Riverhead, or White Plains office, or visit our contact page.
