How to Apply for VA Benefits for PTSD

By John Marcheur

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects service members who have returned from long-term duty in a hazardous or battlefield environment. Veterans may exhibit signs and symptoms of the disorder such as reduced appetite, sleep disorders and substance abuse. In the last 20 years, the Veterans Administration has made great strides in providing both diagnoses and care to former service members diagnosed with PTSD. The VA claims process allows veterans to establish a service-connected medical condition to receive the full benefits through care and compensation following military service.

Gather military medical records. The Department of Veterans Affairs requires copies of consult forms, doctor's notes, and transcribed medical reports to begin the medical claims process. While the federal government's National Archive Office maintains official copies of medical and personnel records, additional copies should be gathered to protect against loss or omitted data. Gather any document that pertains directly to mental health visits and medical prescriptions that occurred both in and out of military service.

Schedule a visit with the local VA hospital or outpatient clinic to establish a recent evaluation or diagnosis for post-traumatic stress disorder. Many VA medical centers operate separate PTSD clinics that diagnose and treat PTSD cases. If you currently have a disability rating, then schedule a visit with your primary care provider who can generate a consult to an additional clinic or service.

Visit a veteran's service organization. Veterans service organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars provide service officers who offer advice on filing a claim, file a claim of behalf of a veteran and follow up on the claims process. As of 2010, this service is free of charge and offered to VFW members and non-members alike. VFW operates offices nationwide and may be contacted either online or through a local chapter.

File a claim using the VA's VONAPP application tool. The Veterans Administration has designed this tool to allow veterans to file a medical claim online. Veterans must fill out an online application, provide information regarding military service, provide medical history information and forward any supporting documents. Representatives at the VA claims office will make a decision after the evaluation of official records and the review of any documents supporting a claim.

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