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December 23, 2010 - Although the soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have certainly gotten their share of press detailing the extreme numbers of soldiers suffering from various combat-related illnesses and complications, they are not the only generation to do so. Vietnam veterans faced multiple health issues for years, and still do.
Many Vietnam veterans suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) without knowing it was PTSD, or what was wrong with them. Others heard horror stories about the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), and had nothing to do with them. The stigma attached to suffering from a mental health disorder such as PTSD (as it is now known) also served to prevent many of them from seeking help.
That has seemed to change as we learn more about PTSD, and now claims for disability compensation related to PTSD have risen 125%. There are approximately 200,000 new claims for Agent Orange-related disability pending, and the VA has only decided about 30,000.
Nevertheless, as more illnesses are added to the VA's presumptive disease list, more Vietnam veterans are filing disability claims, which is significantly enlarging the pool of claims the VA must process. Vietnam veterans also faced a lot of problems readjusting to civilian life because nobody understood what those veterans were going through. By 1978 approximately 500,000 Vietnam veterans suffered from PTSD, although the VA had not recognized that phrase at the time. Therefore, Vietnam veterans were not filing claims back then for their PTSD.
Now that PTSD has been accepted as legitimately disabling condition, those affected Vietnam veterans are now filing claims for their owed PTSD disability compensation. That the VA was not prepared to handle the amount of claims submitted by both Vietnam veterans and veterans of the current wars should not affect as many lives as it does. Many are filing now because they can no longer stand the suffering. Being made to fight with the VA for disability ratings is about the last thing any veterans should be made to do.
Soldiers can return home with a number of conditions, injuries, and aggravated preexisting conditions. If you believe you have a service-connected physical or psychological injury you may be entitled to Veterans’ Disability Compensation.
At LaVan and Neidenberg, we are determined to secure veterans their rightful disability compensation and disability rating. We wrote this book for you! In it you will find valuable tips on how to navigate the claims process and avoid common pitfalls. Request your FREE copy today!
Or, complete our short contact form or call us directly at 1.888.234.5758 to schedule your FREE case evaluation.
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