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Posts Tagged ‘PTSD’
Thursday, May 9th, 2013
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been the center of many debates regarding how effective the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been on providing health care to disabled veterans. This condition can cause anxiety, depression, insomnia and emotional instability that makes life difficult in regards to working and socializing.
Therapy for PTSD has been improving over the years, but one of the biggest obstacles for many veterans suffering from this disorder has been obtaining mental health care. Therapy sessions are conducted by trained mental health professionals which requires visits to VA hospitals and clinics. Some veterans are unable to make these visits due to travel complications, leaving them without the benefit of therapy for their condition.
Recently, a study by the San Diego VA offices has found that the latest therapy choice for PTSD care – telehealth conferences – may be as effective as in-person sessions. Telehealth is where conferences between veterans and therapists or counselors are conducted via video feed, eliminating the need for travel.
The study included 207 veterans in the San Diego area who participated in a 12-week PTSD therapy course. During treatment, researchers evaluated the veterans’ preferences toward telehealth conferences compared to face-to-face therapy. They found that most veterans did not mind the video conferences, and some even preferred it over in-office meetings. While veterans in the in-person therapy group had greater improvement after the 12-session period, there wasn’t any difference between the groups in six-month follow-ups.
Telehealth services are available through many VA hospitals and clinics, especially in rural areas where there are no convenient VA health care facilities. Video conferencing is also helping with other veterans’ disabilities such as managing treatment plans for conditions such as diabetes or cancer.
Veterans who are enrolled in the VA disabled veterans benefits system may have earlier access to the latest medical technology and services. When a veteran works within the VA health care system they are entitled to health care for disabling conditions acquired due to their military service. The Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A. is here to help disabled veterans obtain the health care and benefits they deserve after serving our country. Learn about your right to benefits as a disabled veteran – call today to speak with a disability claims representative – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: PTSD, telehealth
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, VA News, Veterans' Disability, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 10th, 2013
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects many disabled veterans who seek health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. But despite VA guidelines that advise against using benzodiazepines like Xanax or Valium, some VA doctors continue to prescribe them to treat PTSD, according to Stars and Stripes.
According to Dr. Nancy Bernardy, one of the VA’s clinical psychologists at the National Center for PTSD, nearly one-third of disabled veterans being treated for PTSD are given these sedatives. Typically used to treat disabling conditions such as seizures, insomnia and anxiety, these drugs were considered a better alternative to previously prescribed barbiturates which had a higher risk of abuse and overdose.
But they may interfere with the preferred method of treatment, prolonged exposure therapy. Therefore, the VA’s guidelines caution against use in veterans with PTSD, especially because many of these patients may also have substance abuse problems.
Prescription records of 357,000 veterans documented with PTSD from 2009 show that 37 percent were taking benzodiazepines for their disabling condition, according to a study with which Bernardy was involved. Many of these disabled veterans were Vietnam-era veterans who had been prescribed the sedatives years before the current VA guidelines were created.
If you are a disabled veteran suffering from the symptoms of PTSD such as anxiety, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, panic attacks, and other social disorders, you can seek evaluation by a mental health professional at a VA clinic or hospital. If you are diagnosed with PTSD, you may qualify for veterans disability benefits.
PTSD is one of several disabling conditions that may qualify for veterans disability benefits. If you have been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for disability benefits from the VA, contact the Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A. to learn about your options – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: Disabled Veterans, disabling conditions, PTSD
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, VA News, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013
One of the major issues for disabled veterans is brain injury, which accounts for an average of 22 percent of all combat injuries according to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Brain injury, commonly referred to as traumatic brain injury or TBI, can also cause an increased risk for development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
These two common types of disabling conditions cause many of our servicemembers to be classified as disabled veterans each year, and there may be no clear method of treatment for either condition. Part of the difficulty of treating PTSD and TBI is that it involves the brain, the most complex organ of the body. However, a new research initiative is looking to give doctors a better understanding of how the brain functions.
On April 2, President Obama revealed a $100 million national research initiative focused on better understanding the workings of the human brain. Researchers from medical schools, private firms, and government institutes will be developing a map of the chemical structures and neural pathways that make up the functionality of the brain.
These findings are expected to open new methods of research and development of treatments for ailments such as PTSD and TBI. Nearly half of the research funds will go to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency which will work to demonstrate breakthrough applications that are based on the research.
Serious cases of TBI or PTSD, meanwhile, may qualify a veteran for veterans disability benefits through the VA.
Help for Disabled Veterans Seeking to File a Veterans Disability Claim
If you suffer from PTSD or TBI and have medical documentation of your disabling condition you may be qualified to recover disabled veterans compensation. The Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A. is here to help disabled veterans file their veterans’ disability claim or appeal a denied claim decision. Contact us at 1-888-234-5758 to discuss eligibility for veterans’ disability benefits.
Tags: Disabled Veterans, PTSD, TBI
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, Veterans' Benefits | No Comments »
Friday, March 29th, 2013
The 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is being considered a boon to the elimination of military sexual assault, and could improve support for victims, which may include veterans mental health services. Many of the provisions in the bill are targeted toward better investigation and improved military reporting of cases of military sexual assault.
Some of the highlights of the bill include:
- Formation of an independent review panel to examine how the Defense Department investigates and prosecutes military sexual assault cases.
- Prohibiting recruitment of civilians who have been previously convicted of felony sexual assault.
- Improving data collection and reporting of military sexual assault cases.
- Notifying servicemembers of resources and rights following an assault.
- Extending restricted report documentation to up to 50 years (if the victim wishes) so victims can receive veterans mental health or physical treatment while remaining anonymous.
In 2011 the Department of Defense reported 3,192 cases of military sexual assault. Officials believe this number is significantly higher – potentially as high as 19,000, according to Stars and Stripes. One of the reasons the data on sexual assaults and harassment is so skewed may be due to the lingering stigma of reporting such incidents.
Veterans who have suffered trauma from a military sexual assault may develop veterans mental health issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Even those who file a report of the assault and seek help may still suffer mental disorders and physical harm from the incident.
The Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A. is ready to help disabled veterans who suffer physical or mental disorders due to injuries or exposures during their military service. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: military sexual assault, PTSD, Veterans Mental Health
Posted in General, US Military Legislation | No Comments »
Monday, March 11th, 2013
Decisions on veterans’ mental health are being called into question as a new bill introduced by Congressman Tim Waltz of Minnesota urges the Department of Defense (DoD) to review thousands of decisions for veterans benefits.
The bill would require the DoD to review more than 31,000 records of veterans who received medical discharges after being diagnosed with “personality disorder” or “adjustment disorder”. Veterans who suffer from mental health disorders are typically qualified to receive veterans mental health disability benefits when the disorders are developed due to their military service.
However, personality disorder is considered a pre-existing condition under veteran’s disability classifications, and therefore would disqualify a veteran from disability benefits. Lawmakers believe that many of these veterans may actually be suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which is covered under veterans’ mental health disability benefits.
Personality disorder causes individuals to have problems relating to situations and people. Some types of personality disorders include:
- borderline personality disorder, which causes emotional instability;
- antisocial personality disorder, which causes patients to react abnormally and destructively toward others; and
- narcissistic personality disorder, which causes an inflated sense of importance and need for admiration.
Borderline and antisocial personality disorder may cause symptoms similar to PTSD, which is why lawmakers and veterans advocates believe many disabled veterans may have been misdiagnosed and their rights to veterans’ disability benefits violated in the process.
If the Servicemembers Mental Health Review Act of 2013 passes into law, it could potentially send those thousands of veterans’ records back into review to see if they are able to qualify for veterans disability benefits. In 2008, a review of records by the Government Accountability Office found that many veterans were misdiagnosed for personality disorders due to a failure by doctors to follow required diagnostic procedures and guidelines.
Veterans’ mental health disability benefits are often available to veterans who suffer severe mental disorders such as PTSD and anxiety. When a mental health disorder is developed due to military service, it may be classified as a service-connected disability and qualify a veteran to receive veterans disability benefits.
The Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A. is a South Florida disability law firm focused on helping disabled military veterans receive the benefits to which they may be entitled. Contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: personality disorder, PTSD, Veterans Mental Health
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, US Military Legislation, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 19th, 2013
Recent veterans’ legislation, the Ruth Moore Act, was introduced on February 13, 2013 to help reduce the delays and denials of veterans’ disability claims related to cases of military sexual assault.
The legislation requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to approve benefits for veterans who can demonstrate disability from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to military sexual assault.
The new rules would require that a veteran has a doctor’s diagnosis of PTSD and that sexual trauma during service was the cause. This approval would come regardless of if the sexual assault and trauma was formally documented or not.
Military Sexual Assault & VA Disability Benefits
Military sexual assault is still a concern for the VA in regards to addressing disability cases. The veterans’ disability rating and benefit awards are based on evidence of a service connection with the disabling condition – it must be proven that the condition developed due to the veterans’ military service.
According to the Department of Defense, in 2011 there were an estimated 19,000 cases of sexual assault, but only 3,000 were reported and less than 300 were prosecuted. Because more than 85 percent of military sexual assaults are either unreported or have been covered up, there are few cases where a veteran is able to show proof that PTSD is due to a documented case of sexual assault.
While the VA has relaxed some of the requirements and standards for connecting PTSD to combat trauma, there may still be complications for veterans’ disability claims related to sexual assault that the new legislation hopes to resolve.
The veterans’ disability attorneys at The Law Offices of LaVan & Neidenberg, P.A. can help you develop a strong claim for veterans’ disability benefits. Contact us – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: military sexual assault, PTSD, veterans legislation
Posted in General, US Military Legislation, VA News, Veterans' Disability | 2 Comments »
Thursday, September 27th, 2012
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are two of the most serious disabling conditions that can impair a soldier or veteran after combat-related injuries or traumatic events.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) are joining forces to fund a $100 million research project to develop new diagnostic and treatment methods for these disabling conditions. Two research groups will participate: the Consortium to Alleviate PTSD (CAP) and the Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (CENC). They will be managed by both the VA and the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) for the DoD.
PTSD and TBI are among the most common combat-related injuries that soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan may suffer. Even veterans from previous military service eras may suffer from these conditions years after they have served their country. These disabling conditions can cause mental disorders and physical limitations that may qualify a veteran for a disability rating.
If you experience symptoms of any mental or physical disorder that could be related to combat trauma or injury, you should discuss your options with a veterans’ disability attorney. You may qualify for veterans’ disability benefits with the proper evidence and diagnosis.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: health studies, PTSD, TBI, Veterans Mental Health
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, VA News | No Comments »
Thursday, September 20th, 2012
Stanley Laskowski III is a former Marine Corps sergeant that returned from the Iraq War in 2003. His years of service resulted in nightmares, flashbacks, and paranoia that lasted for years and resulted in a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Laskowski sought treatment through the Plains Twp. Medical Center, a facility under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Clinicians there prescribed several medications that he claims were not suitable for effective treatment of PTSD and its symptoms.
The alleged mistreatment of this disabled veteran has led to the filing of a $5 million lawsuit against the VA for medical malpractice. Laskowski’s complaints carry beyond the medication issue – he claims that for four months he was denied access to a trained physician or psychiatrist after an April 2007 examination revealed he should seek treatment.
Laskowski was arrested in August 2007 for breaking into a pharmacy to steal prescription medications. The VA is countering the lawsuit, claiming that he had a history of substance abuse prior to joining the Marine Corps and that it continued even after he began receiving more thorough treatment. The VA also counters that Laskowski did not reveal the full extent of his symptoms to clinicians at the VA.
The trial concluded this week, although Laskowski’s attorney does not expect a verdict for several weeks.
Veterans who do not seek help for mental disorders may face serious disability in their later years. It is important to talk with a veterans’ disability lawyer to discuss options for filing for veterans’ disability benefits to receive necessary assistance.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: medical malpractice lawsuit, PTSD, VA lawsuits, veterans legislation
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, Iraq-Afghanistan War | No Comments »
Monday, August 20th, 2012
A 2007 report on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website examined the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Vietnam veterans, finding that ethnic veterans suffered from this disorder at a higher rate than white veterans. The report cautioned that not all reports were consistent, but noted that the cumulative findings may suggest a higher risk of PTSD among minority servicemembers and veterans.
The report cites a 1990 study, the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study, which found rates of current PTSD at the time were 28% for Hispanic Vietnam vets, 21% for African American vets, and 14% for white vets. The VA report also indicated a higher rate of lifetime PTSD events among minorities compared to white veterans – 45-57% for American Indians, 43% for African Americans, 39% for Hispanics, 38% for Native Hawaiians, and 24% for whites.
In VA reports, many experts have concluded that ethnic minority veterans, especially Hispanics and African-Americans, are exposed to more war trauma and stresses than their Caucasian counterparts. One study on PTSD rates accounted for the additional stressors to Hispanic veterans and still found that rates for the disorder were higher than Caucasian soldiers.
PTSD may occur in any servicemember regardless of ethnicity. Many veterans advocates believe that the recently higher rates of PTSD in the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is due to the higher occurrence of servicemembers who deploy on multiple tours with little time between orders. A 2008 RAND study found that about 18.5% of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars experience PTSD or depression.
Veterans of any era who suffer from PTSD have the right to file a veterans’ disability claim to seek benefits from the VA. Through the services and amenities offered with these benefits, a disabled veteran may cope with their symptoms and find help in leading a healthy veteran life.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: hispanic veterans, PTSD, Veterans Mental Health
Posted in Disabled Veterans, General, Iraq-Afghanistan War, Vietnam veterans | No Comments »
Friday, August 10th, 2012
Earlier this year, the misdiagnosis or revocation of several cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has led to several investigations of the mental health screening process. An official policy released by the Army Surgeon General’s Office hopes to prevent situations, such as those that occurred at the Madigan Army Medical Center, from taking place again.
According to Veterans News Now, the new policy specifically criticizes the tests used to rule that a servicemember or veteran is faking the symptoms of PTSD. These tests were used at Madigan to revoke or deny hundreds of disability ratings for veterans in need of mental health care.
Another point of scrutiny identified in the policy was the use of written test questions used to determine if a servicemember was faking PTSD symptoms for financial gain. Hundreds of questions were used to make these determinations, and Army officials concluded that a poor score on the test was not always an indication of malingering for benefits, as there was no proof of intent gathered from the results.
After the Madigan investigations, it was found that servicemembers who faked PTSD symptoms were a rare occurrence and that the disabling condition is unfortunately becoming more common. Symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks, anxiety, nightmares, depression, and emotional instability, which can all cause disability in a veterans’ daily life.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans’ disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: PTSD, Veterans disability, Veterans Mental Health
Posted in General, US Military Legislation, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
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