The-News-Leader.com - Veteran's Beat: New rules in place to assist veterans with PTSD

by Ron Seman

Good changes are in the wind -- finally.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced July 12 a critical step forward in providing an easier process for veterans seeking health care and disability compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder, with the publication of a final regulation in the Federal Register.

"This nation has a solemn obligation to the men and women who have honorably served this country and suffer from the often devastating emotional wounds of war," Shinseki said. "This final regulation goes a long war to ensure that veterans receive the benefits and services they need."

By publishing a final regulation in the Federal Register to simplify the process for a veteran to claim service connection for PTSD, VA reduces the evidence needed if the trauma claimed by a veteran is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity and is consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of the veteran's service.

Previously, claims adjudicators were required
to corroborate that a non-combat veterans
actually experienced a stressor related to
hostile military activity. This final rule simplifies
the development that is required for these cases.

This science-based regulation relies on evidence that concluded that a veteran 's deployment to a war zone is linked to an increased risk of PTSD.

Under the new rule, VA would not require corroboration of a stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity if the VA doctor confirms that the stressful experience recalled by a veteran adequately support a diagnosis of PTSD and the veteran's symptoms are related to the claimed stressor.

Previously, claims adjudicators were required to corroborate that a non-combat veterans actually experienced a stressor related to hostile military activity. This final rule simplifies the development that is required for these cases.

VA expects this rulemaking to decrease the time it takes VA to decide access to care and claims falling under the revised criteria.

More than 400,000 veterans currently receiving compensation benefits are service connected for PTSD. Combined with VA's shorter claims form, VA's new streamlined, science-based regulation allows for faster and more accurate decisions that also expedite access to medical care and other benefits for veterans.

PTSD is medically recognized anxiety disorder that can develop from seeing or experiencing an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury to which a person responds with intense fear, helplessness or horror, and is not uncommon among war veterans.

Disability compensation is a tax-free benefit paid to a veteran for disabilities that are a result of -- or made worse by -- injuries or diseases associated with active service.

For additional information, go to www.va.gov or call VA's toll-free benefits number at 800-827-1000.

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VFW Northfield Post 6768: Members of VFW Northfield Post 6768 and Auxiliary recently elected and installed their new officers for the 2010-11 term.

Rick Milligan, who served with the Marines, is the new commander. He will be assisted in his busy duties by Fred Thompson, senior vice commander; Bob Cook, junior vice commander; Brian Nikiforow, quartermaster; Joe Scherma, adjutant; and Larry Margolias, chaplain.

The ladies auxiliary will again be led by Renell Noack -- a very busy lady. Her officers include Charli Trentanalli, senior vice president; Sally Nikiforow, junior vice president; Anita King, treasurer; Kate Schuman, secretary; and Pat Bowler, chaplain.

The men meet on the second Monday of every month; the ladies come together for their business meeting on the second Tuesday of every month.

Meetings are at the post, 8584 Olde Eight Road, at 7:30 p.m.

By the way, the post and auxiliary do not close down shop for the summer.

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News items for use in this column can be mailed to Ron Seman at 5811 Renwood Drive, Parma 44129, or e-mail: SemanRJ@aol.com.