Important definitions Veterans benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder in the United States

1 important definitions

1.1 discharge status
1.2 in line of duty , exceptions
1.3 traumatic stressor
1.4 service-connection
1.5 types of military service

important definitions
discharge status

in order eligible va benefits, veteran must have been discharged under other dishonorable conditions. stated differently, if veteran received bad conduct discharge or dishonorable discharge will, under circumstances, not eligible va benefits.

in line of duty , exceptions

there exceptions general rule injuries or diseases incurred in, or aggravated by, military service eligible va disability compensation benefits. example, such injuries or diseases must meet in line of duty criteria. in line of duty means injury or disease incurred or aggravated during period of active military, naval, or air service unless such injury or disease result of veteran s own willful misconduct or ... result of or abuse of alcohol or drugs.

traumatic stressor

matthew j. friedman of national center ptsd notes that:

ptsd unique among psychiatric diagnoses because of great importance placed upon etiological agent, traumatic stressor. in fact, 1 cannot make ptsd diagnosis unless patient has met stressor criterion, means or has been exposed historical event considered traumatic.

dsm-5

a traumatic stressor event meets criterion of diagnostic , statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition diagnostic criteria ptsd. definition of ptsd criterion in dsm-5 is:

the person exposed to: death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence, follows: (one required)

1. direct exposure.

2. witnessing, in person.

3. indirectly, learning close relative or close friend exposed trauma. if event involved actual or threatened death, must have been violent or accidental.

4. repeated or extreme indirect exposure aversive details of event(s), in course of professional duties (e.g., first responders, collecting body parts; professionals repeatedly exposed details of child abuse). not include indirect non-professional exposure through electronic media, television, movies, or pictures.

relevant regulations, e.g., 38 c.f.r. § 4.125(a), updated on 4 august 2014 reflect publication of dsm-5. exception of cases filed or appealed before change, va psychologists or psychiatrists use dsm-5 when diagnosing veterans mental disorders.

service-connection

the term, service-connected, means veteran has disease or injury connected or military service, i.e., disease or injury incurred in, or aggravated by, or military service.

the official definition in code of federal regulations begins:

service connection connotes many factors means facts, shown evidence, establish particular injury or disease resulting in disability incurred coincident service in armed forces, or if preexisting such service, aggravated therein.

the relationship between service connection , access va healthcare emphasized in definition:

service connected veterans documented, compensative conditions related or aggravated military service, , receive priority enrollment veterans affairs (va) health care system.

types of military service

united states coast guard academy seal

the regulations describe 3 categories of military service, active duty, active duty training, , inactive duty training. eligibility va disability compensation requires veteran s service occurred during 1 of these 3 categories. definition of active duty military service includes service @ time cadet @ united states military, air force, or coast guard academy, or midshipman @ united states naval academy.