Understanding How the VA Evaluates PTSD Claims
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | May 17, 2019 | Disability Compensation
Any traumatic event can produce long-term effects for the participants, but those in the military often encounter repeated, high-level traumatic incidents on a regular basis, particularly if they are deployed in a combat zone. The human psyche is not equipped, nor is there any effective way, to process traumatic events for many individuals. Classified as… read more
Podcast Interview with Military Law Matters
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | December 27, 2017 | Disability Compensation
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Attorney Ferah Ozbek, a fellow veteran, to discuss my VA benefits practice and PTSD. Farah served in the U.S. Air Force as a judge advocate for 22 years, attaining the rank of Colonel. She now runs the website MilitaryLawMatters.com, which matches clients with military law attorneys. She… read more
DoD Issues New Guidance for Discharge Upgrades Involving Mental Health
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | November 13, 2017 | Legal Update
New DoD Guidance for Discharge Upgrades Involving Mental Health As I have noted before, service-connected mental health conditions frequently lead to veterans receiving other-than-honorable discharges. In turn, other-than-honorable discharges often prevent veterans from receiving much needed VA benefits and health care. In response to this problem, the Department of Defense (DoD) has issued new New… read more
PTSD Update: New Research Reveals Physical Effects on the Brain
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | August 2, 2017 | Disability Compensation
While traumatic stress from combat is as old as war itself, PTSD did not become an official psychological diagnosis until 1980. Psychological symptoms associated with PTSD are varied and may include persistent nightmares, intrusive thoughts, negative changes in mood, and heightened reactivity. According to new research presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s Sports Concussion… read more
Members of Congress Introduce Legislation to Support Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | May 31, 2017 | Legal Update
Last month U.S. legislators introduced H.R. 1954 – the Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2017. In large part, legislators drafted H.R. 1954 in response to reports of nude photos of female service members being posted online. The bill is aimed at ensuring that these veterans have sufficient access to counseling and benefits…. read more
