Advice for Veterans

Listed below are articles on this site that offer advice for veterans regarding Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation and pension examinations (C&P exams) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental disorders.

  • VA PTSD Compensation and Pension Exam - Suggestions for veterans regarding the C&P exam for PTSD due to combat-related trauma.

  • Military Sexual Trauma (MST) - Advice for veterans regarding the VA claim exam (C&P exam) for PTSD due to military sexual trauma.

  • How to Obtain Military and Medical Records - Detailed information for veterans about how to obtain all the documentary evidence you need to support your disability compensation claim with specific suggestions for finding and requesting mental health treatment records.

  • How to Correct VA Medical Records - This article describes 7 reasons you should review your VA medical records, and 10 steps to correct your VA medical records if you discover an error.

  • The Stigma of Mental Health Treatment in the Military - A stigma is a mark of shame or discredit; a disgrace.1 Many veterans report not seeking mental health treatment during their military service due to stigma. This article offers a list of research articles demonstrating the persuasiveness of this stigma in the U.S. military, which can be helpful to veterans and their representatives when explaining why the veteran did not seek psychological treatment during their military service.

  • Resources for Veterans - Crisis resources for veterans and family members; how to access VA health care; VA mental health resources; VA disability benefits; online discussion forums (very helpful!); blogs written by veterans; what to expect at your C&P PTSD exam; legal help for veterans; how to find a veterans service officer.

  • Vet Centers - VA's best kept secret. Counseling only (no meds) for combat vets and their family members, and MST survivors. Vet Centers are more private and out-of-the-way—they are not located at VA medical centers. Vet Center counseling records are not stored in the VA electronic medical records system. Vet Centers are more down-to-earth compared to medical center formalities.

U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornet breaks the sound barrierU.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornet breaks the sound barrier (photo: TSgt. Raheem Moore, USAF).

Footnotes

1. Gove, Philip B., ed. Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster (1961/2016). https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/stigma

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