New regulation proposed to ease veterans’ disability claims process

The Department of Veterans Affairs has proposed a new regulation which if enacted, will hopefully ease the process by which a veteran can make a claim for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Currently, to obtain compensation for a PTSD-related disability, a non-combat veteran must provide evidence of:

• a stressor, and
• the stressor was related to fear of a hostile military activity or terrorist activity which is corroborated by a VA claims adjustor.

Under the new, proposed regulation, to obtain disability compensation for PTSD, the "stressor related to fear of a hostile military activity" recalled by the veteran will not require corroboration by the VA.

Nearly one third of all veterans returning from Iraq are expected to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder - an anxiety disorder that is characterized by feelings of fear, confusion and anger.