Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Evaluations
If you have been through a traumatic event such as a combat situation and feel you may have developed PTSD, you may be eligible for disability benefits from the Veterans Administration. However, it is necessary to undergo a series of PTSD tests to determine if you qualify.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Screening
The first PTSD test is a screen—a short list of questions used to determine if you are in need of additional assessment. If the screen is positive, it is not an indication that you have PTSD. There is simply a need for further testing.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Assessments
In the assessment, an evaluator will interview you, ask questions about the trauma, and determine the event’s effects on your life. Depending on the purpose of the evaluation and the training of the assessor, the process can take as little as 15 minutes or as long as 8 or more 1 hour sessions.
There are two primary types of PTSD test measures that may be taken depending on your circumstances: structured interviews and self-report questionnaires.
- Clinician Administered PTSD Scale
- Structured Clinical Interview for DSM
- Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule-Revised
- PTSD-Interview
- Structured Interview for PTSD
- PTSD Symptom Scale Interview
- PTSD Checklist
- Impact of Events Scale-Revised
- Keane PTSD Scale of the MMPI-2
- Mississippi Scale for Combat Related PTSD
- Post Traumatic Diagnostic Scale
- Penn Inventory for Post Traumatic Stress
- Los Angeles Symptom Checklist
Structured Interviews
In a structured interview, you will be asked a standard set of questions that discuss your PTSD symptoms (types, frequency, intensity) as well as non-PTSD symptoms that commonly occur alongside the condition. Several types of structured interviews may be used including:
Each of these PTSD tests can be used for a particular evaluation purpose, and the results of these tests can be used as evidence in your veteran’s disability benefits claim.
Self-Report Questionnaires
With a self-report questionnaire, you are given a set of questions to answer concerning your trauma, symptoms, and effects of PTSD on your life. This measure is designed to provide a single score that corresponds to the level of distress you are feeling. Some common forms of self-report questionnaires include:
After your evaluation, our PTSD veteran’s disability benefits attorneys at The Standridge Law Firm, P.C. can help you fight for the benefits you deserve.
Contact Our Veteran’s Benefits Lawyers
If you are a veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and your disability claim has been denied by the VA, contact The Standridge Law Firm, P.C. Our veteran’s rights attorneys are dedicated to helping you fight for the benefits you deserve for your military service-connected disability. Contact us today for information on the requirements for veteran’s disability benefits and to discuss your case with The Standridge Law Firm, P.C.