Mental Health Claims for VA Disability
Mental health claims are something that no San Diego veteran should hesitate to file. Even the strongest mind and body can wear down from a lifetime of military service. It is reasonable to expect some impact on the mental health of any thick-skinned veteran after multiple deployments. That’s why it is only natural that proper compensation is given to deserving veterans who offer their minds and bodies to their country.
What are the Different Mental Health Issues that Qualify for VA Benefits?
Exposure to any kind of traumatic event, suffering wounds, or being separated from family because of sudden deployment are just some of the many conditions related to military service that can harm a veteran’s mental health. These different conditions can lead to mental disorders that will debilitate a veteran’s ability to perform and function.
Millions of veterans experience depression, PTSD, substance use disorder, and other mental health conditions, which have all been recognized by the VA to be service-connected issues. Additionally, they recognize other disorders such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia.
The VA knows these mental health issues through the severity of their effects on the veteran’s day-to-day living. Aspects of life such as performing normal interactions, readjusting to society, and self-management are just a few of the things that the VA uses to give veterans their disability rating.
Common Symptoms and Risk Associated with a Disabling Mental Condition
Because there are different mental disorders recognized by the VA disability benefits system, it’s difficult to list all the plausible symptoms and risks associated with each mental health issue.
But in general, a disabling mental condition gives you symptoms that affect your thinking, feeling, mood, and behavior, affecting your ability to relate to others and function each day. Mental health disorders can also be characterized as occasional (acute) or long-lasting (chronic). Veterans also have the risk of developing a substance abuse disorder if they already didn’t have one. It is mainly caused by the veterans’ means of coping with their debilitating mental health issues. And in some cases, it can lead to irreversible conditions if left untreated.
The Process for Receiving VA Benefits
Once the VA is satisfied that a veteran’s mental health condition is service-connected, they will review the veteran’s medical records to rate the severity of their condition. They do this through a diagnostic tool called the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), which measures and scores the subject’s ability to function emotionally, socially, and at work.
And through that diagnostic tool, the VA will give veterans their disability ratings that should be equal to the measurement of the veteran’s score on the diagnostic tools. They expressed this through ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%. Of course, the higher the ratings, the more a veteran is given.
Get the Help You Need
It’s unfortunate to admit that even though the VA disability benefits system is supposed to be veteran-friendly, many veterans find themselves unable to move their claims forward because of the strict governing rules of the system. This is why many San Diego veterans have turned to Stephen Brodsky; with his decades of experience fighting for veteran claims, he has become the ally for every deserving veteran.
