When filing a claim for post traumatic stress disorder, the federal code provides different rules for combat veterans than it does for other veterans. In particular, veterans who have received combat medals are not required to corroborate their stressors. The fact that the medal was awarded is considered presumptive evidence of exposure to a stressful event. However, these veterans will still have to prove that their PTSD is related to this stressful event. This means that VA will have to review the medal narrative to determine why the medal was awarded, and the VA examination will have to link PTSD to that particular event.
This article is authored through the collaborative efforts of Shana Dunn and other legal professionals at West & Dunn, a law firm dedicated to providing high quality legal services to individuals and businesses, with a particular focus on assisting veterans of the United States Armed Forces. If you have questions or would like assistance with your VA claim, the attorneys at West & Dunn can be reached at (608) 490-9449.