A considerable bulk of
today’s active-duty and retired veterans will have seen action
during the Persian Gulf War back in the early 1990s and continued
service as part of the War on Terror. However, medical disorders that
came about as a result of the Gulf conflict – the so-called Gulf
War Syndrome (GWS) – have complicated matters for veterans who’ve
sought disability insurance benefits. This requires a clearer
understanding of how GWS factors in when applying for Social Security
Disability insurance.
Ailments
Some chronic illnesses have
been identified as also diagnosable under GWS, especially if the
veteran underwent some chemical exposure at any point of the
campaign. They include depression, anxiety, memory loss, and
breathing problems. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder falls under
anxiety if psychological testing shows trauma from certain episodes
in the conflict. A traumatic brain injury may be a potential case for
disability benefits if medical findings revealed it impaired some of
your body functions to the point that you could not work properly.
Consideration
Previous U.S. Circuit Court
rulings have found that the Social Security Administration cannot
fully disregard any VA disability findings. However, the SSA must
exercise grave discretion in accounting for its weight in deciding
the degree of disability.
No person who sustained
injuries in service to the nation must be left high and dry. However,
the burden is on them to prove that their condition warrants the
appropriate benefits.
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