A new policy regarding disability claims for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, no longer requires Veterans to have actively engaged in combat to claim they suffered psychologically in war. The new PTSD policy recognizes that living with the fear of death and injury may be enough for soldiers to develop issues with their mental health.

Michael Walcoff, Undersecretary for VA benefits, stated during a press conference this morning at VA headquarters in Washington DC, "With this new PTSD regulation we are acknowledging the inherently stressful nature of the places and circumstances in which the military serve, where the reality and fear of hostile or terrorist activities is always present."

Veterans no longer have to provide documentation citing specific incidents of stress: A particular firefight or IED attack for instance, to back up their claim. Veterans now only have to show that they served in a combat zone and had a job consistent with conditions related to their PTSD symptom(s). Walcoff said many more veterans will now be able to file claims for PTSD, including troops who did not have direct contact with the enemy.

"Support troops often find themselves in particularly stressful roles," Walcoff said, specifically citing convoy drivers who routinely make their way along roads where roadside bombs have likely been placed. "Knowing you're a truck driver going up and down the airport road every day, you're gripping that steering wheel intensely," added Walcoff.

Joseph Violante, national director for the Disabled American Veterans organization, said the changes are welcome and that the D.A.V. has been pushing for less stringent policy requirements regarding PTSD for decades. Many veterans have not been able to successfully file a claim concerning PTSD, because the veteran could not prove psychological stresses to the satisfaction of VA doctors in the past.

While there has been some concern that the new rules might create fraud -- primarily vets claiming PTSD for incidents that did not occur -- Walcoff said the VA's overriding concern is getting care to those who do need and deserve it. The Veteran's of Foreign Wars (VFW) Joe Davis said, "There will always be some who try to cheat the system, but that shouldn't obscure the fact the new rules will help a great many people. The overwhelming good this decision will produce, outweighs the impact of a few scam artists who may attempt to play the system. We fully expect the Veterans Administration (VA) to catch and prosecute those persons."

The new policy rules are retroactive. Any veteran from any past war or conflict may file a claim. This includes veterans whom have previously filed a PTSD or related claim and were denied.

* NOTE: This change should not have much impact on A/40th Veterans. It is already recognized that if a soldier has/had a 'combat related' Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) or if you have received combat related awards and decorations, then by default, you are considered to have had a verifiable 'stressor incident.' Assignment orders and awards/decorations are proof enough to satisfy a claim for PTSD. Especially for those whose MOS is not generally considered to be a 'combat related' MOS.