Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychiatric condition among veterans that is often diagnosed along with depression because the symptoms for both disorders overlap. You might not know if you are experiencing one or both because they can feel similar. This article will explore the key differences between these conditions.
Depression and PTSD often occur at the same time, which is why it’s important to understand the differences between the two. The good news is that it’s possible to get VA disability compensation for depression and PTSD at the same time.
In this article about PTSD, depression, and VA disability benefits:
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental disorder that’s triggered by traumatic events such as physical or sexual assault, combat, natural disasters, or domestic abuse. Veterans often experience PTSD because their service exposed them to a variety of stressful situations.
Common symptoms of PTSD include:
- Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks of the traumatic event
- Mood swings and ongoing negative thoughts or self-talk
- Changes in behavior such as extreme drinking or reckless driving
- Avoidance of events or situations that trigger memories and reluctance to discuss what happened
- Numbness and detachment
A mental health professional or a doctor will diagnose PTSD at your compensation and pension (C&P) exam, which is a medical examination to evaluate your disabilities. Once a doctor formally diagnoses you with PTSD or depression, you can apply for VA disability benefits.
What is Depression?
Depression is a chronic mental health disorder that affects the way you think, act, and feel daily. It is typically characterized by long episodes of deep feelings of sadness followed by periods of relief.
Symptoms can differ from person to person, but common symptoms include:
- Lack of motivation or interest in things that used to be important
- Difficulty falling asleep or inability to wake up or move from bed
- Change in appetite
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or worthlessness
- Thoughts of suicide
Two types of depression that are often linked with PTSD are major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder.
Can PTSD cause depression?
While PTSD does not directly cause depression, it can lead to depression. About half of people suffering from PTSD also have a major depressive disorder.
Because PTSD often manifests as negative thoughts or self-talk, people with PTSD and depression frequently struggle to get an accurate diagnosis for both disorders.
What is the VA Disability Rating for Depression?
The VA rates all mental health disorders under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders in the Schedule for Rating Disabilities. This includes all types of depression and PTSD.
The ratings can be 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%.
A 0% rating is given when a veteran has a formal diagnosis of a mental health disorder, but symptoms are not severe enough to require continuous medication or do not interfere with daily work or social life.
A 100% rating is given when a veteran has total occupational and social impairment due to a mental health disorder.
Symptoms of Both PTSD and Depression
These two mental disorders are often linked because they share many symptoms. Here are the most common shared symptoms of PTSD and depression.
- Anxiety
- Inability to focus
- Negative thoughts or feelings of guilt
- Exhaustion
- Loss of interest in activities
- Memory loss
- Difficulty making decisions
- Suicidal ideation
- Hallucinations
- Irritability
- Drug or alcohol abuse
It’s important to understand that while depression can make someone more prone to developing PTSD, it doesn’t cause PTSD. A traumatic event must occur to trigger PTSD. However, the connection between PTSD and depression is strong.
Is PTSD Different from Depression?
Yes, PTSD and depression are different.
The first distinction is the cause. A traumatic event triggers PTSD while a variety of causes are linked to depression.
Secondly, some PTSD symptoms, such as extreme fear, are unique to people diagnosed with PTSD and aren’t common in people diagnosed only with depression.
The challenge is identifying whether your depressive symptoms stem from your PTSD or if it is a separate issue altogether. This is determined on a case-by-case basis and depends on the severity of your symptoms.
Can You Get a VA Rating for PTSD and Depression?
Many veterans wonder if they can get service connected for both PTSD and depression. The answer is yes.
It is possible for the VA to grant service connection for PTSD with depression secondary to PTSD. For that to happen, a veteran must have a diagnosis of both depression and PTSD.
Even though a veteran can get service connected for both PTSD and depression, that does not automatically mean that a veteran can receive disability ratings for both conditions because of the VA’s rule against pyramiding. The VA will award a rating for each condition only if PTSD and depression cause different sets of symptoms.
Can You Get VA Disability for Depression as Secondary to PTSD or Is it the Other Way Around?
Depression is viewed as secondary to PTSD, but not vice versa.
While a previous depression diagnosis can make a veteran more susceptible to PTSD, some kind of traumatic event must occur to trigger PTSD. Research does not suggest that depression directly causes PTSD.
In this video, one of our VA disability lawyers talks about the VA Rating Formula for Mental Disorders and Disabilities like PTSD.
How Do You Get TDIU for Depression and PTSD Together?
Depression and PTSD are often diagnosed together and are a common VA claim. Depending on the severity of both disorders, a VA disability rating for PTSD and depression could qualify you for Total Disability for Individual Unemployability (IU), which is one of the highest monthly payments you can receive.
IU benefits are for veterans that can no longer work because of their service-connected disabilities. To qualify, you must demonstrate that your unemployability is related to mental or physical disabilities that occurred because of your time in the service.
It is possible to get IU benefits based on service-connected PTSD if the PTSD is severe enough to interfere with the veteran’s ability to work.
IU benefits pay the same as a 100% VA Disability rating. Veterans who are eligible for TDIU benefits might receive more than $3,332.06 a month. Veterans who have dependent children and parents are eligible for extra compensation.
Filing an IU claim can be complicated, which is why we recommend using the help of a VA disability law firm that is familiar with the inner workings of the VA. At Woods & Woods, we are well experienced in these types of claims and can help you build your case to navigate the complicated world of the VA to ensure that you get your full benefits.
You will have to follow a few steps, starting with getting diagnosed by a VA-approved doctor at your C&P exam. After you are diagnosed, you will then need to gather evidence of how your mental disorder affects your daily life.
Gathering evidence can be challenging because mental health disorders often aren’t as visible as physical disabilities. You will need to be honest about the struggles you are facing because of your mental health disorders. It can also be helpful to get statements of support from friends, family members, or employers about changes in behaviors and actions they have witnessed since you returned from service.
What if I Am Denied Benefits?
The VA can and will deny claims or underrate veterans. If you feel that your denial or low rating is wrong, get in touch with us today and we will help you appeal your claim. We only charge a fee if we win your appeal, and helping you file an initial disability claim is always free.
At Woods and Woods, the Veteran’s Firm, we’ve helped thousands of veterans with their VA disability applications and appeals. We’ve been adding staff and lawyers during the Covid pandemic to serve disabled veterans better in difficult times.
Talk to Us About Your Claim: (866) 232-5777
Yes, you can. To qualify, you must demonstrate that your unemployability is related to mental or physical impairments that occurred because of your time in the service. A veteran’s PTSD and/or depression has to be service-connected and severe to be eligible for TDIU benefits.
Yes, you can get VA disability compensation for PTSD and depression. Since they are comorbid (occur together) you can get a VA disability rating for PTSD with depression secondary to PTSD. You just need a formal diagnosis for both disorders at your C&P exam.