The VA makes the final determination in all claims cases and reserves the right to do so based on the evidence and supporting documentation you submit. purposes of establishing SC for PTSD if, Credible supporting evidenceis evidence Sizemore v. Principi, 18 Vet. And you may wonder to yourself what the heck is a stressor statement exactly? Are You Living With PTSD Without Realizing It? For information about obtaining your records, visit www.stp-sf.org/guides/records. I also practice regular mindfulness meditations and calming music to include noise canceling headphones. Ive worked from home since 2014, which helps me maintain control of my surroundings to include the environment, sounds, lights, space, etc. In part one, youll want to list the name of the VA disability condition youre claiming. may, under specified circumstances, establish an in-service stressor for of the evidence to determine if the stressor is consistent with the Measures authored by National Center . A competent and credible personal statement in support of a claim can be the linchpin between winning and losing your VA disability claim and getting the appropriate VA rating for your disability. Neither Veteran.com nor Three Creeks Media are associated with or endorsed by the U.S. There are three main parts of a VA stressor letter: . Join our premier education-based membership program, VA Claims Insider Elite, connect with an expert-level Veteran Coach (VC) within minutes, and finally get the rating you deserve. A stressor statement is a description of the stressful experiences you had in the military that led to your developing PTSD. Statements regarding a veteran's PTSD from counselors, social workers, or other therapists that are not medical doctors will not be considered a diagnosis of PTSD by the VA. . And the details can be used in your favor. of Veterans Affairs, please visit their website atva.gov. Editorial Disclosure: Editorial content on Veteran.com may include opinions. Totally unnecessary. You were one person before the stressful events occurred, and in some respects a different person afterward. Combat PTSD is defined by the VA as exposure to traumatic events during war. I was deployed to Afghanistan in 2008 with E Company and was required to work in a forward deployed, hostile-fire position.. Alyse Galoski: What a stressor is, it is basically a word for the traumatic event that is associated with PTSD. Did your partner see changes in you? I also share a real VA Statement in Support of Claim Example with on-screen tips, strategies, and lessons learned. If you re-read your PTSD Stressor Statement and you cant see a direct before-and-after relationship between the trauma and the quality of your life and/or mental health after the event(s) you will need to re-write your narrative to make a clear connection between the trauma and the negative changes in your life following it. Numb? But in our experience, I want to make something very clear to veterans seeking service connection for PTSD: The burden of proof is on YOU to show on an at least as likely as not basis that the stressor event happened to YOU. For each event, give the date and place it occurred, and the name of the unit you were attached to. Our PTSD Consultation Program can answer administration or scoring questions: PTSDconsult@va.gov or 866-948-7880. For example, rather than pursuing a PTSD VA claim with a weak stressor that cant be verified, why not go for Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) aka Chronic Pain Syndrome with Depression / Anxiety aka Lifestyle Impact Claim secondary to one or more service-connected disabilities? MORE: Find Out What You Qualify For: Free Medical Evidence Evaluation for VA Disability. On Sunday morning, June 18, 2020, our unit loaded trucks and drove off-post to the forward location, where we were attacked by mortars and IEDs at approximately 11:30 GMT. This level of detail is more appropriate. Personal statements can be very powerful in filling-in any gaps between your military service and present day, to include things like service treatment records, doctor visits for treatment (or lack thereof), severity of your symptoms over time, and how your disability is negatively affecting your work, life, and social functioning. So, you want to know about some of the best Veteran Benefits? I take Tylenol OTC and Motrin OTC in varying doses to help with the pain. Don't diminish the stressful experience you had and don't make it seem even more severe than it was. #1. Dont hesitate to do what you need to tell your story as fully and honestly as possible. stressor, claims processors must consider the credibility and probative value Measure availability: We provide information on a variety of measures assessing trauma and PTSD. When reviewing evidence to corroborate a claimed in-service 17-05248-241, August 21, 2018. Stressor verification is a huge deal for VA disability claims for PTSD. VA DATE STAMP DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE. In this Ultimate Guide, we'll explore how to get a VA Rating for PTSD even if you've already filed or been denied benefits in the past. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. In this Section This section contains the following topics: Topic Topic Name See Page 13 General Information on Developing Claims for Service Connection for PTSD 1-D-2 14 Requesting Evidence That a Stressor Occurred 1-D-11 15 Requesting Corroboration of an In-Service Stressor 1-D-19 16 Completion of a Formal Finding of a Lack of Information Required to Document the Claimed Stressor(s . Did you keep a journal or diary? When did you begin to use drugs or alcohol? Grab your free copy of "The Veteran Benefits Bible" right now. I do take frequent naps 3-5x per week, to include 15-to-30-minute rest periods during the workday, especially when the headaches occur. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. A VA Statement in Support of Claim should be 3-5 paragraphs max. A stressor statement is a description of the stressful experiences you had in the military that led to your developing PTSD. This exposure could include life-threatening combat situations, but witnessing injury and death or handling human remains can also be traumatic and can trigger PTSD. Write from the first person. activitys responsibility. ***VA Statement in Support of Claim Video Timestamps & Resources***, 00:00 Brian Reese VA Insider Welcome Message. Tell the truth. The second evidence source is something called Secondary The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. A personal statement you write on the VA Form 21-4138 documenting how you think your current non-combat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is due to an in-service sexual assault and stressor event that occurred 20 years ago IS lay evidence. A death? Some affected by PTSD are considered high functioning people which basically means that while they may show no outward signs of mental health issues or very few, they are still suffering the effects of the trauma internally. Finally, write about how you are now feeling about your present life, whether you are in treatment for PTSD, and if you aren't, why not. I lost my job because I cant get along with my co-workers and supervisors, could not concentrate on my work, took too many sick days for depression and anxiety, and I had angry outbursts at my boss, co-workers, and customers. For example, if you have a Purple Heart, a Combat Infantryman Badge, or a Combat Action Ribbon, the VA may be able to process your claim without one. A best practice is to explain at least two specific examples of how your disabilty is limiting or affecting you in negative ways. of Defense or any governmental entity. Doing so will help you to streamline your narrative in places and add detail in others. You mean to tell me that you need the exact day that this happened and it was way back in the 70s? For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. Are there postings on Facebook or other social media? Lets say youre filing for Migraines secondary to Tinnitus. Visit our drop-in center! from sources other than service records. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! Most people can't remember everything about a traumatic event because the body goes into shock and processes information in a different way than during non-stressful times. Statement #3: Statement in Support of a Claim for Migraines Secondary to Tinnitus, which should explain why you think your Migraines was caused or aggravated by your Tinnitus, how your Migraines limit or affect your work, life, and social functioning, to include your current Migraine symptoms. PTSD and was seeking treatment, (2) A personal statement (lay statement) in If you're seeking VA disability compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you may need to submit a "stressor statement"a written account of the stressful events you experienced in the military. Describe your difficulty adjusting to civilian life. Corroboration of every detail is not required. From[date] to [date], I was stationed in [location] with the [name of unit]. 21-0781a. You will need statements by friends, family, doctors, and other professionals who can provide further evidence for your claim even if that information is a buddy letter describing how you may have appeared to others following the diagnosis of PTSD. It can also be an actual serious injury or . Writing about PTSD stressors in and of itself does not provide the entire picture of your conditionto do so you will need to describe what you thought your life and mental health were like prior to the traumatic event(s) and your life following them. Brace Yourself For Painful Memories And Ask For Help: Reliving past trauma is incredibly difficult in some cases, but to submit a PTSD claim to the VA you will be required to remember and describe your trauma. Dont forget any emails or other correspondence that may be relevant to your claim, even if those emails are personal in nature and consist of Are you ok? or other communication that may help shed light on your condition. If youre filing for direct service connection, explain to the VA Rater the in-service incident, injury, or disease that led to the development of your disability. All Rights Reserved. Whether it be on your own accord or with the help of an accredited veteran services officer (VSO), documenting your PTSD properly is paramount to winning your claim and getting the compensation and disability rating you deserve. 10 Veterans Benefits You May Not Know About, Medal of Honor: Benefits, History and Facts, Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS), Security Clearance Jobs After the Military, Unemployment Compensation for Ex-servicemembers (UCX), Military Spouse Career Advancement (MyCAA) Scholarship Program, Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) for the GI Bill, Find Out What You Qualify For: Free Medical Evidence Evaluation for VA Disability, Get the VA Disability Rating You're Entitled To: Start with a Free Evaluation Today, 2023 Retired Military and Annuitant Pay Dates, 2023 Reserve and National Guard Drill Pay. They're only viewing your disability at a brief point in time. In our experience, the JSRRC is a joke BTWvery little evidence of the claimed stressor event is ever verified by a JSRRC stressor review. And you do NOT need to describe every detail. I often forget people and places, suffer from severe memory loss, forget where Im driving to and from, I have severe depression, chronic anxiety, constant panic attacks, and constantly check windows, doors, and locks out of OCD-like paranoia. You can also ask for statements from co-workers, employers, clergy, or anyone else who has seen changes in you. Its reasonable to assume a veteran will pursue a VA disability claim for PTSD at some point, and this post will help you on your path to service connection for PTSD. Dear Veteran, Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA. Its best to assume you will need this narrative again. Do you intend to remain in treatment? Step #1: List the Name of the Disability You're Claiming in the First Section of the VA Form 21-4138 The information in this memorandum is current as of December 2012. A link or nexus between the PTSD diagnosis and the alleged in service stressor and 3. Be direct and include relevant dates, times, those who may have been witnesses, the description of the events themselves, and your specific reaction to them. Its actually better if you donteven if you get all the way through a first draft in one sitting, you arent done writing yet. Not everyone who applies is required to write a statement. STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF CLAIM FOR SERVICE CONNECTION FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) List the stressful incident or incidents that occurred in service that you feel contributed to your current condition. It did not confirm that the veteran was physically present for Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. The importance of Stressor Statements: So youve filed for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a VA rating? It is ok to say what parts of your experiences you can't remember. Paint The Entire Picture, Tell The Whole Story. Overview. The VA denied the claim and the veteran didnt even get a C&P Exam for PTSD. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. Download VA Form 21-0781 (PDF) According to the Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA), heres a list of disabled veteran benefits from 0% to 100%, to include Today,Brian Reesethe VA Claims Insider reveals and explains the 72 Best Federal Veteran Benefits from A to Z. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. Oops! If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! You're not alone. Information from your device can be used to personalize your ad experience. If accepted into our ELITE membership program, youll get free up-front access and permission to use $13,119 worth of proprietary VA claim resources, including access to our network of independent medical professionals for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible Medical Nexus Letters, which could help you get a HIGHER VA rating in LESS time. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. This is not the time to be proud. Veteran Benefits by VA Disability Rating (The Insiders Guide), Top 72 Federal Veteran Benefits From A to Z (2024 Edition). Have you noticed changes in your outlook on life? Print it with your full name, Social Security Number, and page numbers that indicate how many total pages the document has and what page the reader is currently on. I say this because only PTSD has stressors that must be verifiedother mental health conditions do not. Think about how your life has been affected by this stressor. My PTSD has negatively affected my work and life in many ways. your PTSD non-combat claim to verify the stressor? Have a support system in place before you begin for an easier personal journey. Give examples of problems you had with work, school, or relationships. up-front. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. Find out how to apply for VA health care. Because the veteran failed to corroborate that the veteran Be descriptive, but dont exaggerate. My migraines do affect my work as Im less productive due to napping and frequent breaks. The reality is if the veteran cant prove their PTSD stressor on an at least as likely as not basis, youll likely be denied service connection. You may be able to peg the event to another occurrence in your life. You might also like >> How to Prove Your PTSD Non Combat Stressor <<. each claims processor to review evidence to determine if a claimed in-service The formatting of your statement is importantits best to submit a non-handwritten statement. In order to apply for service-connection for PTSD, veterans need to need to complete VA Form 21-0781 & 21-0781a to support their claims. Ask friends and family members for any letters you sent them while in the service, and check your email account for any messages you sent describing what you experienced. The other stressor types include noncombat, combat, fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, prisoner of war, Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. If you still use alcohol and drugs, talk about why you do so, and how often. Often the case is that it has been that so much time has passed that you honestly cannot recall the date. Tell where the event happened, what unit you were in at the time, and when it happened (as best you can). Your spouse could describe how you wake up terrified in the middle of the night from nightmares. How close are you to realizing them? If youre filing for an increase on a disability thats already service connected, go ahead and explain how long youve been service connected and why youre filing for an increase, paying close attention to the frequency, severity, and duration of your symptoms over time. This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month. All information is completely confidential.By clicking Get Discounts you agree to our Privacy Policy. Try and recall something that would help reference the time. circumstances of the Veterans service. discharge on [date]. To obtain a VA disability rating for PTSD, a veteran must generally establish the following three elements: (1) a current diagnosis of PTSD; (2) a corroborated in-service stressor; and (3) medical evidence linking the PTSD diagnosis to the stressor. #3. References to third-party products, rates and offers may change without notice. To me personally, this is what I see matter the most when the VA decides your claim. You should keep multiple copies of your statement on hand for future submissionsremember that you may be asked to resubmit a claim, have it re-verified or reevaluated at a later date. I literally cannot overstate the importance of this previous statement. What follows is not legal advice, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed method for submitting a PTSD claim and succeeding in getting a VA disability rating. Add your signature, and staple the pages together before you submit the statement to the VA. No two stressor statements are alike. Top 20 VA Disability Claim Myths DEBUNKED! The VA considers the following to be PTSD stressors: Exposure to death Threatened death Actual serious injury Threatened serious injury Actual sexual violence Threatened sexual violence The VA Rating Formula for Mental Disorders and Disabilities Like PTSD, Depression, and More Watch on This video explains how the VA rates mental disorders. Summarize your stressor statement the way you would do a summary at the end of a college term paper and conclude with the following phrase: I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statement is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.. This can be a first step in getting treatment and support for PTSD. These forms are important to include with your PTSD claim because they provide the VA with the information . There must be no clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. Stating that the incident happened a couple of days or weeks around a holiday is always a great reference. You should personally write three separate VA Statements in Support of a Claim for each disability condition. Life during military service (to include traumatic event(s); and 3. If you want to learn how to implement these strategies to get the VA benefits you deserve, click here to speak with a VA claim expert for free. The VA states astressorinvolves exposure to death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence. Dont write your stressor statement over the holidays, over three-day weekends where you dont expect to socialize much, etc. that. For example "I had a panic attack when I heard a car backfire, I thought it was gunfire" or "I heard someone scream on TV and I ran for cover." The Sample Stressor Letter below has been used by thousands of veterans as supportive evidence for their PTSD claim. Describe your stressors in chronological order and include relevant details up to and including gaps in your memory where applicable. For example: I joined the [branch of service] on [date], and received an [Honorable, General, etc.] Veteran.com is a property of Three Creeks Media. List the Current Symptoms of Your Disability in Terms of Frequency, Severity, and Duration Over Time. AtVA Claims Insider, we help fellow Veterans celebrateLIFE CHANGEby getting you the VA disability rating and compensation you deserve by law. 2. Also keep in mind that some of these principles will also serve you well when filling out the VA forms mentioned above in association with your claim. Brian isalso the CEOofMilitary Disability Made Easy, which is the worlds largest free searchable database for all things related to DoD disability and VA disability, and has served more than 6,000,000 military members and veterans since its founding in 2013. Did your children? Work with what you have and do not be afraid to ask for help when getting testimony from others to support your claim. These symptoms affect me constantly, and I have no control over them. Next, tell what changed as a result of your military service. The 7 Most Common VA Forms Explained(The Ultimate Guide). A current diagnosis of PTSD in conformance with the new DSMV 2. If you cant recall something, dont hesitate to say so. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. Maybe you used to feel very close to your spouse and now you are withdrawn from her (or him), or even abusive. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! Continue your statement by describing your current symptoms.
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