what benefit services are available for veterans with ptsd

^{If a veteran’s PTSD is classified as a disability, they may be eligible to supplement their VA support with an array of other government benefits:}

• Medicaid, including waiver programs covering career support and other community-based services.
• Medicare.
• Supplemental Security Income.
• Social Security Disability Income.

How we can help veterans with PTSD?

• Complementing other forms of treatment. The traditional treatments for PTSD, such as talk therapy and medication, do work for many veterans.
• Reducing anxiety. Service dogs can help vets with PTSD in many ways. ...
• Challenges and extra responsibilities. Not all veterans are willing or able to benefit from having their own service dogs. ...

Can I get veterans benefits if I have PTSD?

You must also be seen by a psychiatrist a VA medical facility so that the psychiatrist can diagnose you with PTSD. Qualifying for Disability Benefits Due to PTSD. Regulations passed in 2010 made it easier for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder to qualify for VA disability benefits. The following requirements must be met. The veteran has a PTSD diagnosis. The veteran's symptoms are related to a traumatic event (the "stressor").

How do you treat PTSD in veterans?

Treatment options for PTSD in veterans will often include psychotherapy. There are specific types of psychotherapy that are particularly effective for veterans with PTSD, such as: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): A type of psychotherapy that focuses on recognizing and reframing negative thought patterns.

How to support a veteran with PTSD?

Tips & Resources for Helping Veterans with PTSD

• Help a veteran to seek mental health treatment. ...
• Educate others and raise awareness about PTSD. ...
• Encourage veterans to join a support group. ...
• Help a veteran become adjusted in their new home. ...
• Seek help and treatment from the VA and other military resources. ...
• Find healthy ways to socialize and collaborate with veterans. ...

What services are available for veterans with PTSD?

What services does VA provide for PTSD?1-to-1 mental health assessment and testing to figure out if you have PTSD.Medicine proven to work for treating PTSD.1-to-1 psychotherapy (also called talk therapy). ... 1-to-1 family therapy.Group therapy for special needs, like anger or stress management, or combat support.More items...•

What type of treatments and support is available for people with PTSD?

What Are the Treatments for PTSD?Therapy.Cognitive Processing Therapy.Prolonged Exposure Therapy.Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.Stress Inoculation Training.Medications.

What type of therapy is best for PTSD?

For PTSD, cognitive therapy often is used along with exposure therapy. Exposure therapy. This behavioral therapy helps you safely face both situations and memories that you find frightening so that you can learn to cope with them effectively. Exposure therapy can be particularly helpful for flashbacks and nightmares.

What is the gold standard treatment for PTSD?

behavior therapy, or TF-CBT, is considered the gold standard treatment for children and adolescents with PTSD.

Am I eligible for disability benefits from VA?

You may be eligible for disability benefits if you have symptoms related to a traumatic event (the “stressor”) or your experience with the stressor...

What does VA consider to be a traumatic event?

We consider any of these to be a traumatic event: You suffered a serious injury, personal or sexual trauma, or sexual violation, or You were threa...

What kind of disability benefits can I get?

Health care Compensation (payments) Treatment for PTSD

How do I get these benefits?

You’ll need to file a claim for disability compensation. Find out how to file a claim for disability compensation When you file a disability claim,...

How to contact the VA about hearing loss?

If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889. You can also: Call 911. Go to the nearest emergency room. Go directly to your nearest VA medical center. It doesn't matter what your discharge status is or if you're enrolled in VA health care. Find your nearest VA medical center.

What are the traumatic events?

We consider any of these to be a traumatic event: 1 You suffered a serious injury, personal or sexual trauma, or sexual violation, or 2 You were threatened with injury, sexual assault, or death

Can you get disability if you have PTSD?

You may be eligible for disability benefits if you have symptoms related to a traumatic event (the “stressor”) or your experience with the stressor is related to the PTSD symptoms, and you meet all of the requirements listed below.

What are the types of treatment for veterans?

Several types of education and treatment are helpful to Veterans and their family members. These include: Classes on dealing with stress, anger, sleep, relationships, and PTSD symptoms. One-to-one, group, and family counseling. Medications. For more information, please see Treatment Basics.

What are some examples of PTSD?

For example, work or money problems can lead to symptoms. Medical problems such as heart disease or diabetes, or mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, can have symptoms that look like PTSD. That is why you should see a provider who is trained to know which of your symptoms might be PTSD.

What is the VA hotline?

Most of the staff are Veterans themselves. During normal business hours, you can call 1-800-905-4675 (Eastern) or 1-866-496-8838 (Pacific). The Vet Center program also has a 24/7 hotline, with all calls answered by combat Veterans: 1-877-WAR-VETS (1-877-927-8387). VA special PTSD clinics and programs. VA also has special PTSD clinics and programs ...

Can veterans have PTSD?

Veterans with PTSD often have other types of problems. They might have other stress, medical, or mental health problems. Sometimes PTSD is overlooked when other problems seem very pressing. If you have questions, ask your doctor if PTSD also needs to be treated.

Do vet centers charge for services?

Vet Centers also offer services to families of Veterans for military-related issues. There are no fees or charges for Vet Center services, and services are confidential. That means no information will be given to any person or agency (including the VA) without your consent. Most of the staff are Veterans themselves.

Does the VA have PTSD?

VA also has special PTSD clinics and programs that can help eligible Veterans. For more on these programs, see PTSD Treatment Programs in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. When you see a VA provider, he or she will first assess whether or not you have PTSD. If you do have PTSD, remember that it can be treated.

When did VA extend benefits?

For Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, some benefits have been added. In January, 2008, the period of eligibility for free health care was extended from two to five years. VA operates a yearly enrollment system that helps make sure that Veterans who are eligible can get care.

What kind of counseling does the VA offer?

VA offers several types of counseling for veterans with PTSD, including psychotherapy (i.e. talk therapy), family therapy, and group therapy.

Does the VA have PTSD?

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers mental health assessment and testing to help veterans determine if they suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). VA also offers “medicine proven to work for treating PTSD.”. Learn more about medications for PTSD here.

Can you get counseling in a combat zone?

According to VA, if you served in a combat zone, you are entitled to free private counseling as well as a drug and alcohol assessment at a local Vet center. All VA centers offer counseling as well.

What are VA apps?

These apps can be used independently or alongside therapy and/or other mental health treatment.

What is the Veterans Drink app?

This mobile app is for Veterans and Service members who are concerned about their drinking and how it relates to posttraumatic stress, as well as anyone else who wants to develop healthier drinking behaviors.

Where can I bring my DD214?

If you are a combat Veteran, you can bring your DD214 to your local Vet Center and speak with a counselor or therapist — many of whom are Veterans themselves. This service is free and available without an appointment, regardless of your enrollment status with VA.

What percentage of veterans have PTSD?

While post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs throughout the U.S. population, military veterans are particularly at risk. Some studies estimate that up to 30 percent of the vets who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan have been diagnosed with PTSD. The disorder, which is caused by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event, can result in anxiety, flashbacks and more. The condition can affect family members, too, damaging marriages, triggering mental health problems for spouses, and causing social, behavioral and academic difficulties in children,

What is the VA doing to help veterans?

The VA has launched a variety of awareness campaigns to educate veterans and the wider public on the subject of PTSD. The agency is also seeking to further integrate mental and physical health services in order to reduce the stigma attached to the disorder.

What are the benefits of being discharged from the VA?

Veterans who have been honorably discharged are eligible for a wide array of benefits, including evaluations, psychotherapy and family therapy.#N#All VA Medical Centers are staffed with PTSD professionals.#N#Specialized Intensive PTSD programs offer inpatient treatment. They also address related needs such as employment, housing and recreation.#N#VA Centers operated by the agency’s Readjustment Counseling Service offer treatment outside VA Medical Centers. Often staffed by other vets, these centers offer an extra layer of confidentiality by not sharing patient information with the rest of VA.#N#Certain large community-based outpatient clinics offer PTSD treatment.#N#Smaller community-based outpatient clinics offer PTSD treatment through#N#telehealth services. 1 All VA Medical Centers are staffed with PTSD professionals. 2 Specialized Intensive PTSD programs offer inpatient treatment. They also address related needs such as employment, housing and recreation. 3 VA Centers operated by the agency’s Readjustment Counseling Service offer treatment outside VA Medical Centers. Often staffed by other vets, these centers offer an extra layer of confidentiality by not sharing patient information with the rest of VA. 4 Certain large community-based outpatient clinics offer PTSD treatment. 5 Smaller community-based outpatient clinics offer PTSD treatment through#N#telehealth services.

How does the VA affect family members?

The condition can affect family members, too, damaging marriages, triggering mental health problems for spouses, and causing social, behavioral and academic difficulties in children, While the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other health care providers have made progress in dealing with this crisis, obstacles remain .

Help for Veterans

Veterans have unique needs—and unique options—when it comes to care for PTSD and other mental health conditions. These resources will help you find treatment within VA and understand the benefits and claims process.

AboutFace

Hear from Veterans who have turned their lives around with PTSD treatment.

How to get PTSD disability?

That is what’s meant by service-connected. For PTSD, to get disability benefits, you first have to go for an evaluation with a psychiatrist at a VA medical center. That psychiatrist must diagnose PTSD. Veterans also have to apply for benefits either online or using VA Form 21-526. Veterans are required to supply documents when they apply, ...

Why are veterans less likely to get treatment?

Unfortunately, veterans are less likely than others to get treatment when they’re struggling with mental health symptoms . There are complex reasons for this, including stigma or a sense of shame over the need for mental health treatment.

What does it mean to have a 100% disability rating for PTSD?

A 100% disability rating for PTSD would mean someone would be entirely unable to function because of the severity of their symptoms. They might experience delusions or hallucinations, thoughts, or behaviors related to self-harm, confusion, and disorientation, and the inability to take care of themselves.

How do I qualify for disability benefits?

To qualify for disability benefits for any reason, as a veteran, you first have to meet certain criteria. The first is that you must have a diagnosed disease or disability, which can include mental illness or disorder. Then the next eligibility requirement is that it was triggered during your active military service.

What if I don't have VA benefits?

If you don’t have VA health benefits, you may still be able to receive care. For example, if you served in a combat zone, you can receive free, private counseling, and an alcohol and drug assessment at a VA community Vet Center.

How many veterans have mental health issues?

Around one in 25 adults has a serious or chronic mental illness. These numbers, while startling for the general population, are even higher for military veterans. According to the RAND Center for Military Health Policy Research, around 20% of veterans who served in Afghanistan or Iraq have either major depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

What is the most common mental health condition veterans experience?

Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the most common mental health conditions veterans experience, and the Department of Veterans Affairs does offer many treatment resources as well as disability compensation benefits.

What is PTSD for veterans?

PTSD and Veterans Benefits. Unfortunately, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychological condition suffered by military service members and veterans. They may not recognize or understand their symptoms immediately. Some common indicators of PTSD include sharp mood swings, flashbacks of traumatic events, ...

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

Some common indicators of PTSD include sharp mood swings, flashbacks of traumatic events, and problems with following instructions or orders. This can result in Article 15 discipline or more serious sanctions, especially if a service member starts abusing alcohol or drugs to deal with their PTSD. They may ultimately leave ...

Why is a service member injured?

Sometimes a service member will be injured because of misconduct that was not actually “willful” because it resulted from their PT SD. Willful misconduct serves as a basis for denying benefits to a veteran who is otherwise eligible, so defeating the willfulness element can make a huge difference.

When should I ask for a medical exam for PTSD?

You should make sure to ask for a medical exam as soon as you suspect that you may have PTSD, rather than waiting until you are in danger of a negative discharge. A service member has a right to a medical evaluation for PTSD before they can be forced to leave the military with a dishonorable discharge.

Can you get PTSD from a military discharge?

Some service members suffer from PTSD due to a sexual assault or harassment. They may feel uncomfortable getting treatment in the military for the resulting trauma, but they can get treatment from a private medical provider if they prefer. Service members who report sexual misconduct in the military often face retaliation, such as a negative type of discharge that does not allow them to receive benefits. This can make it especially critical to establish documentation of the sexual trauma. You should make sure to keep these records so that you can submit them in an application for a military discharge upgrade if needed. (Read more here about applying for a discharge upgrade.)

Can PTSD be discharged?

They cannot apply for a discharge directly, but they can ask their military doctor to recommend a disability discharge. The doctor would need to find that their PTSD substantially impairs the service member’s ability to perform their duties.

Can you get PTSD while serving in the military?

If you are diagnosed with PTSD while you are still serving in the military, this can protect your access to health care and disability benefits. Documentation of your condition will show that it was connected to your service, which is essential to proving your eligibility for benefits. It also can establish the effective date for your eligibility.