VA Permanent and Total Disability for PTSD (2023)

The US Department of Veterans Affairs uses assessment plans to determine the amount of benefits a veteran is entitled to. Depending on the veteran's condition, the VA uses the criteria for that condition to evaluate the veteran based on their ability to work.

When the veteran is awarded a100% handicap ratingAND their disability is permanent, they are entitled to thatVA Permanent and total disability. The VA considers permanent and total disability to be a condition scored at 100% with little or no chance of improvement.

As previously mentioned, the compensation is based on the veteran's ability to work. Thus, if the disease renders the veteran permanently and completely incapacitated, the veteran will receive full compensation from the VA.

How to achieve permanent and total disability due to PTSD?

Filing a claim is the first step in obtaining permanent and total disability with PTSD.

The VA scoring criteria for PTSD are based on the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

The PTSD Connection service involves three steps to efficiently file a PTSD VA claim. To establish a PTSD connection, the following must be present:

1. A current and current diagnosis of PTSD
2. A stress factor in the service
3. A medical context linking post-traumatic stress disorder to the stressor at work

To receive a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD, the veteran must have:

“Total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as: gross impairment of thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; continuing risk of harm to yourself or others; temporary inability to perform daily activities (including maintaining minimal personal hygiene); disorientation as to time or place; Memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation or own name."

After a 100% disability rating for PTSD, the VA determines whether the veteran's symptoms are likely to improve. The VA may require the veteran to return for future evaluations to determine that their disability rating has not changed.

Tips to support your PTSD claim

When filing a claim with the VA, it is important that you do your research to fully understand the VA's assessment criteria. As mentioned above, the VA uses scoring formulas to determine the severity of the condition. The VA has five different scores for PTSD (10, 30, 50, 70 and 100%), and each is based on the severity of the PTSD.

If you are aiming for a 100 percent rating, you should review the claims process in detail. It is important to meet deadlines on time and, if possible, explain your condition in detail. While your rating decision is ultimately in the hands of the VA, here are some of themTips to support your PTSDClaim and increase your chances of Total and Permanent status.

Provide sufficient evidence

Strong VA disability claims always include sufficient evidence to support your claim for permanent and total VA disability. This is not just medical evidence such as medical records or examinations.

Giving testimony as well as personal testimony is an excellent way to support your case. It is important that you provide your diagnosis of PTSD as proof when submitting your claim. As mentioned above, a diagnosis is essential to filing a claim with the VA.

It is often difficult to relate a stressor to a context in the service, but can be improved by the testimony of lay people. This is especially true in situations where the veteran served in combat. In combat, situations are often not documented due to lack of resources. From injuries to firefighting, these incidents are not always recorded and can present a challenge in making a claim.

Friend statements are also useful for confirming an internal service event. When making statements, it is very important to give as many details as possible, such as dates or places, and to be as specific as possible. This helps the VA understand the severity of your condition.

Follow best practices for the C&P review

Once you have made a claim, the VA will schedule an appointment. This can be done through the VA, but sometimes also through a third party hired to perform these assessments. Note that this check is normal when determining the service connection.

You can prepare for your C&P exam by reviewing the assessment criteria for your condition. During the exam, veterans must be honest and very specific when discussing their disability with the VA examiner. Don't wait for specific questions to be asked or for them to add additional comments about your issue for a while. It is better to add additional details if possible.

If the injury is in your knee, the examiner may start the interview by escorting you to the exam room and noting your movements. If you are asked how you are, remember that this is not a social engagement. Explain to the examiner why you are there and what problems you have due to your illness.

Remember, your C&P review is not intended to bring past or current complaints to the VA. The censor's job is to assess the condition you are aiming for. The best way to prepare is to relax and bring out the details you want to mention.

Send a letter

VA often determines the permanent and full status itself. However, in the event that you are not permanently and fully recognized, it is important to write a letter to your VA Regional Office asking to be permanently and fully recognized. It is helpful to submit documentation to support your application as it explains why you feel your condition is permanent and complete.

As with writing personal statements, it is important to be as specific as possible when writing to the Regional Office.

Seek legal help

It can be difficult to know all the criteria and requirements when making a claim or request to the VA. Likewise, permanent VA and full disability can be obtained with PTSD. Even strong, well-documented claims can take a long time to clarifyVA application processinvolves many steps. And if the VA denies your original claim or application for permanent and full status, it may be worth seeking legal help.

A veteran disability attorney brings extensive experience and knowledge of the criteria for filing claims with the VA and handling the many steps involved.

Veteran disability attorneys have extensive knowledge of the VA eligibility and appeals system, so they can help in your fight for benefits. Our Hill and Ponton attorneys specialize in veteran disability and can help obtain permanent and full VA disability for PTSD.

Final thoughts

Each step in this process is as important as the next. Without adequate evidence, your claim has little chance of being approved. Because there are always delays in VA decisions, it's important to get your claim right the first time. Submit detailed proof, meet the required criteria for the condition, and follow C&P investigative best practices when attempting to obtain permanent and total VA disability for PTSD.

If you are among the 31% of veterans whose claim is denied, or you disagree with your assessment in your decision letter, you don't have to deal with the VA alone. Contact Hill & Ponton lawyers for a free case evaluation.