If you are a veteran of the US armed forces, you are entitled to obtain disability benefits if you are suffering from a disability that is related to your military service. This includes psychological problems that are related to your time spent in the military. But when exactly might a psychological disability be considered a service-related disability for the purposes of obtaining VA benefits?
What is a Psychological Disability?
In the context of obtaining veterans disability benefits, a psychological disability refers to any mental health issue that is sufficiently severe that it interferes with a person’s daily life. It may make it hard for them to perform daily chores, or to hold down a job, or otherwise handle the kinds of tasks that most people perform on a regular basis. Notably, it is possible to have a psychological disorder that does not qualify as a disability, if someone is able to function normally with treatment or therapy.
When is a Psychological Disability Considered to Be “Service-Related?”
For the purposes of obtaining disability benefits, a veteran’s disability is considered “service-related” if they either suffered the disorder due to something that occurred during their service, or if their service worsened their condition somehow. For example, a person who had diagnosed depression before entering the service could seek benefits if it got worse over time. However, someone who had OCD prior to joining the military would struggle to seek disability benefits if their condition didn’t worsen until after they were a civilian for a significant amount of time.
Why Does This Matter?
This is important because the Department of Veterans Affairs only offers disability benefits to veterans whose medical conditions are tied to their military service. No matter how bad an illness or injury is, if it isn’t service-related, it does not count for the purposes of seeking benefits. This goes for psychological disabilities as well, including conditions like PTSD, depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, among others.
What Should You Do?
If you are a veteran suffering from a psychological disability, you may be entitled to disability benefits through the VA. However, to maximize your chances of getting the benefits you deserve, you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling VA disability claims. Not only can they help you apply for benefits, they can argue on your behalf if your application is denied and you need to appeal.
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.
