PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder) and TBI (Traumatic brain injury) are extremely serious conditions. Unfortunately, – both have been misunderstood for a long time. As a result, many veterans who suffer from these terrible brain disorders were not taken seriously. Countless veterans suffering have been long forgotten, ignored or worse, suffered terrible discrimination.
Many veterans that suffer or have suffered from these disorders have been denied their rightful benefits because their PTSD or TBI symptoms were misunderstood, undiagnosed or not properly treated.
Now that there is a better understanding of PTSD and TBI, DVA and the military are doing something positive about it, helping veterans receive the benefits they deserve for PTSD and TBI.
In late 2014, the DVA as well as the military boards of correction were given explicit instructions by government to be very liberal when requests were made for a discharge upgrade based on these conditions. When these instructions were given, certain veterans were barred from seeking a discharge upgrade. In early 2016, this was rectified. The statute of limitations has been waived and as of that date all veterans can benefit from the new policy.
Is a discharge grade automatic now there is a new policy?
Unfortunately not, the military admits that there has been a policy change that makes it possible for veterans who meet all the qualifications to apply for a discharge upgrade, but they will not provide any specific assistance. The burden of proof lies with the disabled veteran, it is up to the veteran to provide sufficient proof that they suffered from PTSD and TBI when they were discharged and it was these conditions that contributed to being discharged from service.
Providing proof can be difficult but it is not impossible. For most veterans in this situation, they can benefit from engaging the professional services of attorneys for VA disability claims to assist with the application.