by
Astrid Fiano, DOTmed News Writer | September 06, 2009
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has announced in a press release on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website that the agency is "taking steps" in assisting those Veterans seeking compensation for the condition Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
"The hidden wounds of war are being addressed vigorously and comprehensively by this administration as we move VA forward in its transformation to the 21st century," said Secretary Shinseki in the release.
The VA has published a proposed regulation in the Federal Register on making a Veteran's claim of service connection to PTSD. The proposed regulation reduces the evidence needed if the claimed stressor is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted over the next 60 days. After consideration of comments, a final regulation will be published.
According to the press release, under the proposed new rule, "VA would not require corroboration of a stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity if a VA psychiatrist or psychologist confirms that the stressful experience recalled by a Veteran adequately supports a diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran's symptoms are related to the claimed stressor." In previous claims, adjudicators were required to corroborate that a non-combat Veteran "actually experienced" a stressor related to hostile military activity.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, is an anxiety disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD may develop after exposure to a "terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened." The traumatic events can trigger PTSD include violent personal attacks, disasters, and military combat. The VA says that symptoms of PTSD may include feelings of fear, confusion or anger that do not go away or become worse.
The VA has also established a suicide prevention helpline (1-800-273-TALK) and Web site available for online chat in the evenings at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans. For the helpline, the VA partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration(SAMHSA) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Adapted from a press release by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Link: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1751
Link to NIMH information: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml
