Mental Health Resources and VA Disability Benefits for Veterans

Military service can have lasting effects on mental health, and those effects do not always appear immediately after a veteran leaves the service.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and other mental health conditions can affect relationships, employment, sleep, daily activities, and overall quality of life.

For veterans in Atlanta, there are several resources available for mental health care and support. Veterans whose mental health conditions are connected to their military service may also qualify for VA disability compensation.

Understanding the difference between getting treatment and pursuing disability benefits can help veterans find the right type of support for their circumstances.

Mental Health Challenges Can Affect Veterans Differently

There is no single experience that defines a veteran’s mental health after military service.

Some veterans experience symptoms soon after a traumatic event or deployment. Others may not recognize the extent of their symptoms until years later.

Mental health challenges can also develop in connection with experiences beyond combat. Military sexual trauma, serious injuries, training incidents, accidents, exposure to death or traumatic events, and other experiences during service can have lasting psychological effects.

Conditions affecting veterans may include:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Substance use disorders
• Adjustment disorders
• Other diagnosed mental health conditions

The appropriate treatment depends on the veteran and the condition. Seeking professional help can be an important step regardless of whether the veteran is considering a VA disability claim.

Mental Health Care Through the Atlanta VA Healthcare System

Veterans in the Atlanta area have access to mental health services through the VA Atlanta Healthcare System.

VA Atlanta provides evaluation and treatment for a range of mental health concerns, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, bipolar disorder, and other conditions.

Available services can include individual and group therapy, psychiatric care, medication management, and other forms of behavioral health treatment.

Mental health services are available at the Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center in Decatur and at multiple VA outpatient clinics throughout the region.

Veterans already receiving VA health care can speak with their primary care provider about connecting with behavioral health services. Veterans who are not currently enrolled can explore their eligibility for VA health care and other available mental health resources.

Atlanta Vet Center Counseling and Support

The Atlanta Vet Center provides another option for eligible veterans, service members, and their families seeking mental health and readjustment support.

Located in College Park, the Vet Center provides confidential counseling in a community-based, non-medical setting.

Services may include help with:

• PTSD
• Depression
• Military sexual trauma
• Readjustment after deployment or military service
• Family and relationship concerns
• Substance use
• Bereavement and grief
• Transitioning from military to civilian life

Vet Centers are different from traditional VA medical facilities.

Eligible veterans may be able to use Vet Center services even if they are not enrolled in VA health care or do not currently receive VA disability compensation.

For some veterans who are uncomfortable beginning with a large medical facility, the community-based Vet Center environment may provide another way to access support.

Mental Health Treatment and VA Disability Compensation Are Different

One distinction is particularly important for veterans to understand.

Mental health treatment and VA disability compensation are not the same thing.

Treatment is intended to address a veteran’s health and well-being.

VA disability compensation is a federal benefit available to qualifying veterans whose disabilities are connected to their military service.

A veteran can seek mental health treatment regardless of whether they intend to file a disability claim. Likewise, receiving treatment does not automatically establish that a mental health condition is service connected.

For VA disability purposes, the evidence must support the requirements applicable to the veteran’s particular claim.

Can Veterans Receive VA Disability for Mental Health Conditions?

VA disability compensation can be available for qualifying service-connected mental health conditions.

Examples can include:

PTSD

PTSD claims may involve traumatic events experienced or witnessed during military service. Depending on the circumstances, VA may require evidence concerning the in-service stressor as well as medical evidence addressing the veteran’s condition.

Depression

Depression may potentially qualify for VA disability compensation when the evidence establishes the required connection to military service.

Anxiety disorders

Veterans may also receive compensation for qualifying anxiety disorders when service connection is established.

Mental health conditions related to military sexual trauma

Veterans who experienced military sexual trauma may develop PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other mental or physical health conditions. VA recognizes that disabilities resulting from MST may potentially qualify for disability compensation.

The diagnosis alone, however, does not determine whether VA will grant a claim. Service connection and the supporting evidence remain important.

Mental Health Conditions Can Also Be Secondary to Other Disabilities

Not every mental health disability claim begins with an event that directly caused a psychiatric condition during military service.

A mental health condition can sometimes develop or worsen because of another service-connected disability.

For example, a veteran living with chronic pain, significant physical limitations, or another service-connected condition may subsequently experience depression or anxiety.

In these circumstances, the issue may involve secondary service connection.

VA generally recognizes secondary service connection when a service-connected disability causes or aggravates another disability.

These claims can involve both medical and legal questions about the relationship between the veteran’s conditions.

Medical Records Can Become Important Evidence

Mental health treatment records can be important in a VA disability case.

Depending on the claim, records may help document:

• A mental health diagnosis
• The veteran’s reported symptoms
• Treatment history
• Changes in symptoms over time
• Medication
• Occupational difficulties
• Effects on relationships and social functioning
• Other functional limitations

However, medical records are only one potential source of evidence.

A veteran’s statements, service records, C&P examinations, medical opinions, and statements from people familiar with the veteran’s symptoms may also become relevant.

The evidence necessary in one veteran’s claim may be very different from what is needed in another.

How VA Evaluates the Severity of Mental Health Disabilities

Establishing service connection is only one part of a VA disability claim.

VA must also determine the severity of the disability and assign an appropriate rating.

For mental health conditions, VA considers the level of occupational and social impairment associated with the veteran’s symptoms.

This means VA’s evaluation is not based solely on the name of the diagnosis.

Two veterans diagnosed with PTSD, for example, can receive different disability ratings because their symptoms and resulting impairment are different.

Evidence showing how symptoms affect employment, relationships, judgment, mood, daily activities, and other areas of functioning can therefore become important when VA determines the appropriate rating.

What if VA Denies a Mental Health Disability Claim?

Mental health claims can be denied for many different reasons.

VA may determine that the evidence does not establish service connection, question whether an in-service event has been sufficiently supported, rely on an unfavorable C&P examination, or determine that the available evidence does not support the disability rating the veteran believes is appropriate.

A denial does not necessarily mean the veteran has no further options.

Depending on the circumstances, a veteran may be able to pursue a Supplemental Claim, request Higher-Level Review, or appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

The appropriate approach depends on why VA denied or underrated the claim.

Identifying that reason can be one of the most important steps before deciding what to do next.

When an Atlanta Veteran May Consider Legal Help

Veterans do not necessarily need an attorney simply because they are seeking mental health treatment or preparing an initial VA disability claim.

Legal representation may become more relevant when there is a dispute over VA disability benefits.

For example, a veteran may consider speaking with a VA-accredited attorney when:

• VA denied a PTSD or other mental health claim
• VA assigned a rating that does not appear to reflect the veteran’s level of impairment
• A C&P examination did not adequately address the veteran’s symptoms
• VA disputes the connection between the condition and military service
• A mental health condition may be secondary to another service-connected disability
• The veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment because of service-connected disabilities
• Previous attempts to challenge the decision have been unsuccessful

An attorney can review the VA decision and underlying evidence to determine what issues may need to be addressed in an appeal.

Supporting Veteran Mental Health in Atlanta

Supporting veteran mental health involves more than one organization, treatment, or solution.

Veterans may need medical treatment, counseling, community support, assistance transitioning to civilian life, or help navigating VA benefits. In many cases, several forms of support may work together.

Atlanta veterans have access to mental health care through the VA Atlanta Healthcare System as well as confidential counseling and readjustment services through the Atlanta Vet Center.

Stevens & Sullivan also believes that improving access to mental health support for veterans requires continued education, community engagement, and conversations about the challenges veterans face.

Our Managing Attorney, Dr. Christopher A. Campagno, has participated in community discussions focused on veteran mental health and the need to explore additional approaches to treatment and healing. That involvement reflects a broader commitment at Stevens & Sullivan to issues affecting the veterans we serve beyond the disability claims process alone.

VA Disability Help for Veterans With Mental Health Conditions

Stevens & Sullivan, LLC is an Atlanta-based veterans disability law firm representing veterans in VA disability claims and appeals.

Our attorneys work with veterans whose cases involve PTSD, depression, anxiety, secondary mental health conditions, TDIU, disputed disability ratings, denied claims, and other VA disability issues.

Mental health claims can involve deeply personal experiences as well as complicated medical evidence and VA regulations. When VA denies a claim or assigns a rating that does not appear to reflect the veteran’s disability, understanding the reason behind the decision is an important first step.

If you have received an unfavorable VA decision involving PTSD or another mental health condition, contact Stevens & Sullivan today at 404-467-9017 to schedule a consultation or complete a Free Case Evaluation.