SERVING
Those That
SERVED
Questions & Answers
INSTRUCTIONS: Please read each question carefully. If you are able to answer question appropriately use the form below the question to respond. Your name will not appear on the public answer page. Only your initials and date of your response will be visible.
If you have a question about benefits, compensation, pension or VA related issues please submit here.
Use Form Below To Respond
Your generous gift will go directly to helping veterans and dependents. We simply cannot continue without your help for our community of veterans and dependents who count on us for our Veteran Pantry. Your support will make a lasting impact.
Q875: I was a defense contractor (KBR) combat convoy truck driver in Iraq in 2008 and again 2010. I was injured in a VIED attack on our convoy and received a cash settlement for compensation. I suspect I have PTSD symptoms from that incident. Am I eligible for VA disability? I am also a veteran and served during the Vietnam era, 1971 - 1973.
A1: To be eligible for VA disability, you have to meet the rule of three. In-service occurrence (something in your STRs), current diagnosis, and a nexus, or link, between your in-service occurrence and your diagnosis. Therefore, you are a civilian w/ no affiliation with the military so you would not be eligible for VA disability based on your work as a contractor. (DS) 2/22/23
A2: You have be seen by a mental health doctor. The best is one who don't work for the VA. They carry more weight than a VA doctor. I know I have used private doctor for my hearing after the VA turned me down 3 times. The main thing is the doctor has the say the cause of your PTSD is more than likely as not it was from your time in Vietnam. It's all in the wording. (RI) 2/22/23
A3: I am going to say NO to the compensation claim. Here are the requirements for service connection eligibility.
Both of these must be true:
You have a current illness or injury (known as a condition) that affects your mind or body,
and
You served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training
And at least 1 of these must be true:
You got sick or injured while serving in the military and can link this condition to your illness or injury (called an inservice disability claim), or
You had an illness or injury before you joined the military and serving made it worse (called a preservice disability claim),
or
You have a disability related to your active-duty service that didn't appear until after you ended your service (called a postservice disability claim) (RJ) 2/23/23
A4: You need to go to your local VA hospital and ask for a VSO - Veteran Service Officer. They can give you the right answer. (RL) 3/3/23