Sample Spouse PTSD Letter [Complete Guide]
You must provide a variety of papers and documents when making a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that is related to your service.Â
Depending on the date and context of the submission, certain documents may be filed before it is determined that you have PTSD, while some VA paperwork may need you to have a diagnosis from a source (military or civilian) to continue.
Making a Stressor Statement for PTSD
The VA Form 21-0781 Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for PTSD or VA Form 21-0781-A Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Secondary to Personal Assault must be submitted to make a PTSD claim.
These firms demand some story, but they're not the only ones that give you the chance to go into depth about your symptoms, their causes, and other pertinent information.Â
A "stressor statement," which is a description of the events that led to your PTSD diagnosis, should also be something you prepare to provide.
Disclaimer:Â What is said here should not be taken as legal advice or as a "guaranteed strategy" for filing a PTSD claim and receiving a VA disability rating? The information that follows makes no claims other than that it will assist you in writing your statement.Â
In all claims instances, the VA maintains the right to make the ultimate decision based on the proof and supporting materials you provide.
Assemble your papers and letters of support first
You must get ready by obtaining supporting papers such as your military and civilian medical records, your military service record, your DD Form 214 or Guard/Reserve equivalent, etc. for both the VA form and your own personal stressor statement.
You will need correct information on the dates and places of your military duty, the campaigns or missions you took part in, the length and nature of your military service, etc. while writing your PTSD Stressor Statement.
Even if the material is a "buddy letter" outlining how you could have come across to others after receiving the diagnosis of PTSD, you still need statements from friends, family, physicians, and other experts who can support your claim.
When drafting the stressor statement, there are certain things you should absolutely do and others you shouldn't. The following offers tips on how to draught a stressor letter to improve the result of your claim.
Remember that the following counsel is more of a suggestion for how you ought to present your case than it is legal advice. Remember that some of these guidelines will be helpful to you when you complete the VA forms listed above in connection with your claim.
Making a Stressor Statement for PTSD
It's ideal to provide a statement that isn't handwritten since formatting is crucial. Your entire name, Social Security number, and page numbers that show the document's total number of pages as well as the page the reader is now on should all be printed on the paper. Â
Be descriptive without going overboard. Be direct, including the pertinent dates, times, names of any potential witnesses, a description of the occurrences, and your particular response to them.
Writing Your Statement: A Guide
First of all, keep in mind that you don't have to compose a complete sentence at once. In fact, it's best if you don't since you still have to finish the first draught after finishing it in one sitting.
It is advisable to think about the timing of your writing and to refrain from reliving your trauma in situations when you could be left alone for a long time.Â
Avoid writing your stressor statement on special occasions, long weekends when you don't plan to mingle much, etc. Set up a support network before you start for a less difficult personal trip.
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Writing Tips
First-person writing is preferred. Using "I statements," such as "My name is John Smith and I joined the Army in 2010 as a Combat Engineer," describe what occurred to you. I had to work in a forward-sent, hostile-fire posture when E Company deployed me to Afghanistan in 2022.
From this first-person viewpoint, tell the tale, being careful to leave out any irrelevant information. We loaded the trucks and headed to the front gate after we were done in the chow hall.Â
Unless there is a direct connection to the traumatic incident, this information is not necessary. If not, it is adequate to just describe leaving the base to the occurrence when a terrible event did happen.
Our unit loaded trucks and headed off-post to the advanced position on June 18, 2020, on a Sunday. At about 11:30 GMT, mortars and IEDs hit us there. This degree of specificity is more suitable.
Describe your stresses in chronological sequence and, if necessary, add pertinent information up to and including memory gaps.Â
Be explicit, and direct, and describe precisely how the stresses affected how you felt, what you did in response, and how you dealt with the stressors (or failed to deal with them) when you write about the stressors that may cause PTSD symptoms in the days after the trauma.
Complete the picture, complete the narrative
Writing about PTSD stresses by themselves does not fully convey your situation; to achieve this, you must also explain how you believed your life and mental health were both before and after the traumatic event(s).Â
The cause-and-effect link between your trauma and a decreased quality of life or changes in your mental health is what VA authorities need to observe in this area.
You will need to rewrite your narrative to make a clear connection between the trauma and the detrimental changes in your life that occurred as a result of the event(s) if you read over your PTSD Stressor Statement again and you can't see a direct "before-and-after" relationship between the trauma and the quality of your life and/or mental health after the event(s).
Never try to treat yourself.
Don't be misled into believing that to be eligible for VA benefits, you must exhibit all or part of the visible symptoms of PTSD.Â
Some persons with PTSD are regarded as "high functioning" individuals, which essentially implies that even though they may exhibit little or no external indicators of mental health problems, they are nevertheless experiencing the aftereffects of the trauma on an internal level.
Being a trauma patient with good functioning carries no stigma. Even though you seem "normal" to others, it doesn't imply you don't have a problem or feel discomfort.
We bring this up because, while writing a claim, it's natural to reflect on how you are feeling at the time and use that information to guide your writing.
The issue is that PTSD symptoms might resurface at any moment and without warning. You are not ineligible for the compensation to which you may be entitled just because you feel well when putting your claim in writing. Even though the impacts of trauma don't show themselves constantly throughout your life, they might linger for a very long time. Let a medical expert diagnose you; don't attempt to assess yourself except to accept that you should seek a professional's opinion.
Your PTSD Stressor Statement's Conclusion
I declare under pain of perjury that the accompanying statement is accurate and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief, and I conclude. Summarize your stressor statement like you would a summary after a college term paper.
All pages must be signed, dated, and attached before being submitted. Keep extra copies of your statement on hand in case you need to submit it again in the future. You never know when you could be requested to resubmit a claim or have it confirmed or reviewed.Â
Depending on the situation, the original paperwork you submit, including the stressor statement, may be needed once again later. It's prudent to presume you'll need to repeat this story.
Sample Spouse PTSD Letter
My dear,We have been together for seven years, have two lovely children with special needs, and just adopted a puppy. Since the day I met you, life has been a wonderful tornado of pleasure and suffering. However, it wasn't always lovely, and as a result, I'll always be a little bit broken.My dear, I simply had the opportunity to inform you now even though my birthday was months ago. I heard what you said that day to your mother. the writingIs this how it's going to be forever? It had been a while. I don't know why she's still worried about it. How can someone be worried about a third of a year?ÂDoes she have a chance to recover?My love, no. Not me.
Top Five Guidelines for writing a PTSD Stressor Statement
Following is a list of items you MUST include in your stressor statement:
1. Setting up Gather all supporting evidence first
Then compose your statement with the pertinent times, places, and other details at hand. This will contribute to the process being both more accurate AND efficient.Â
Even if the emails are personal in nature and just ask, "Are you ok?" or include another contact that may assist clarify your condition, don't forget to save any additional correspondence or emails that may be pertinent to your claim.
2. Be Direct, But Give Justifications
Introduce yourself, your military service history, the kind of duty (active duty, Guard, Reserve), and your job description in the first paragraph of your stressor letter.Â
You should anticipate that your message will be read by both military personnel and civilians. Use plain language, stay away from jargon, and don't leave out any crucial information.
3. Avoid Writing Even One Draft
When you believe your statement is complete, check it again and read it aloud. By doing this, you may make your story more concise in some areas and more detailed in others.Â
Don't rush delivering your final document to the VA, your Veteran Service Organization, etc.; keep in mind that you are making a claim for compensation here.
4. Take your time, and keep in mind that you are under oath.Â
No, you won't take an oath before submitting your Stressor Statement, but any false comments you make will be treated as if you were.Â
There is nothing wrong with stating you can't recall a certain event or circumstance, particularly if you can back it up with supporting comments.Â
Are you lying or are you embellishing your claim? Absolutely needless when obtaining testimony from others to support your claim, make the most of what you have, and don't be hesitant to ask for assistance.
5. Prepare Yourself For Painful Memories And Ask For Help
It might be very difficult to recall prior trauma, but you must remember and detail your experience to make a PTSD claim to the VA.Â
It's a VERY GOOD idea for many to think about starting, continuing, or ending therapy with a mental health professional just before and during the preparation of a PTSD stressor statement.
You don't want to cope with your trauma alone, and depending on the type and intensity of the things you were exposed to as a child, going through the same experiences might bring back old symptoms or generate new ones.Â
Avoid doing it alone, foresee potential issues brought on by your trauma, and make plans to address them.
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