A lot of veterans have been waiting veteran's particular role didn't seem to

lend itself to being in a stressful situation, for this: eased restrictions on filing a although he actually was in the

claim for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder thick of things.

Now we see an easing of the rules (PTSD). that have kept far too many veterans

Until now, a veteran not only had to from getting the care and benefits they

deserve. prove that he (or she) was in a hostile

The particulars:

location, but had to wait until records The veteran must be diagnosed with

PTSD by a psychiatrist either at the were dug up and stories corroborated Department of Veterans Affairs or about what happened when. Too connected with the VA; the symptoms

many times those records were must be related to the stress that's

being claimed; and the stress must be destroyed or couldn't be found. Or a consistent with where the veteran

veteran's particular role didn't seem to served, and when.

This means that a veteran doesn't lend itself to being in a stressful situation, necessarily have to have been 3 feet

although he actually was in the away from an explosion to claim

PTSD. It's the fear that can come from thick of things. being in a hostile area that seems

Now we see an easing of the rules (finally) to be taken into consideration

here. Let's say a veteran was a cook or that have kept far too many veterans a nurse who was in an area where

from getting the care and benefits they there hostile military action that could

(and did) break out at any moment -- deserve. that veteran's stress will be judged as

The particulars: valid. Fear of death is a very real stress

The veteran must be diagnosed with that they're now recognizing.

Veterans can file claims for service PTSD by a psychiatrist either at the from any war. If you haven't filed, do.

Department of Veterans Affairs or If you filed and were turned down prior

to July 13, 2010, file again. connected with the VA; the symptoms

Write to Freddy Groves in care of

must be related to the stress that's King Features Weekly Service, P.O.

being claimed; and the stress must be Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-

6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@ consistent with where the veteran gmail.com.

served, and when. © 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.

This means that a veteran doesn't necessarily have to have been 3 feet away from an explosion to claim PTSD. It's the fear that can come from being in a hostile area that seems (finally) to be taken into consideration here. Let's say a veteran was a cook or a nurse who was in an area where there hostile military action that could (and did) break out at any moment -- that veteran's stress will be judged as valid. Fear of death is a very real stress that they're now recognizing.

Veterans can file claims for service from any war. If you haven't filed, do. If you filed and were turned down prior to July 13, 2010, file again.

Write to Freddy Groves in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853- 6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@ gmail.com.

© 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.