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Intro


The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Because only quick brown foxes jump over lazy dogs.

Available Benefits and Eligibility Requirements
The US Veterans Administration will pay disability benefits to all Veterans diagnosed with PTSD and provide free health care. Disability compensation is paid to a Veteran because of injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty, or were made worse by active military service. Disability compensation is tax free.

You may be eligible for disability compensation if you have a service-related disability and you were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.

The VA also provides free health care and encourages all veterans to seek treatment for PTSD. Treatment can work, and early treatment may help reduce long-term symptoms. Every VA Medical Center has PTSD specialist who can treat Veterans with PTSD. Veterans can also access any of the VA's 200 specialized PTSD treatment programs after obtaining a referral. VA PTSD treatment programs include a mental health assessment, medicines if necessary, and personal and family counseling.

Apply for Benefits
The first step to receiving disability compensation or mental health care for PTSD is to be diagnosed with PTSD by a VA or other licensed psychiatrist or psychologist. A Veteran must also extablish, with the licensed professional, that the PTSD is a result of his military service. According to the Veterans Administration, under a new regulation for PTSD claims effective July 13, 2010,
 * a Veteran will be able to establish the occurrence of an in-service stressor through his or her own testimony, provided that: (1)
 * the Veteran is diagnosed with PTSD; (2) a VA psychiatrist or psychologist, or a psychiatrist or psychologist with whom VA has :contracted confirms that the claimed stressor is adequate to support a PTSD diagnosis; (3) the Veteran's symptoms are related to :the claimed stressor; and (4) the claimed stressor is consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of the Veteran’s :service and the record provides no clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. This will eliminate the requirement for VA to :search for records, to verify stressor accounts, which is often a very involved and protracted process. As a result, the time :required to adjudicate a PTSD compensation claim in accordance with the law will be significantly reduced.

To begin the process, talk to your family doctor, or contact your local VA hospital or Vet Center. Your family doctor or a VA department psychologist or psychiatrist will screen a veteran to verify that the stressful experiences they recall are consistent with their military service and PTSD symptoms, including irritability, flashbacks, deep depression, and other emotional or behavior problems.

Next, a Veteran can apply for compensation benefits by filling out VA Form 21-526, Veterans Application for Compensation and/or Pension. Along with the Application, any of the following information may also be submitted:


 * Discharge or separation papers (DD214 or equivalent)
 * Dependency records (marriage & children's birth certificates)
 * Medical evidence (doctor & hospital reports)

The application is also available online using the Veterans On-Line Application (VONAPP) System.

Resources for Veterans with PTSD
Where to get help for PTSD

Understanding PTSD - From the US Department of Veterans Affairs

PTSD Treatment Programs in the US Deaprtment of Veterans Affairs