Service in the armed forces comes with unique risks and challenges that affect military personnel and veterans at the time or even years later. Beyond physical challenges, factors like being exposed to highly stressful situations, various toxins, and long periods away from home may leave their imprint on service members' mental health, and, in many cases, it's topped later by the difficulty of adjusting to civilian life.
Research shows that approximately 200,000 service members leave the military and must reorient their lives yearly. According to a 2023 Census survey, there are nearly 16 million veterans in the U.S., 6.1% of the total civilian population aged 18 and over. Although most personnel don't have mental health problems either in service or afterward, some experiences in during duty can lead to mental health difficulties, including:
- asbestos or other toxic exposure
- working in stressful and traumatic situations
- being away from family and friends for a long time
- physical injuries
Transitioning back into civilian life can be strenuous, mainly if veterans have served for a long time. In such cases, navigating the military transition can be burdensome and confusing for everyone involved, from veterans to their families and supporters. After separating from the armed forces, some of them experience severe stressors affecting their mental health:
- struggles around accessing their benefits
- relationship or family problems
- homelessness
- social exclusion
- physical injuries
To make matters worse, many civilians may not be aware of or fully comprehend these unique issues. Additionally, new veteran populations, such as women, minorities, and others, may face inequities. Addressing crises that veterans may face must change as the veteran population changes. The ever-changing face of the military and service itself means that former service members require individualized support depending on when, where, and how they served and for visible and invisible wounds. It's the root of their mental health challenges, such as:
- depression
- anxiety
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- substance use disorder (SUD)
- alcohol problems
These everyday stressors often impact their family, social, and professional relationships immediately after service and in the years to come, making adapting difficult. Moreover, military members usually derive a sense of pride, meaning, and connection from their service. However, they can experience trauma as part of their duty and in civilian life.
Severe health problems are one of the challenges in veterans' lives after service. Physical trauma, such as a cancer diagnosis, can impact their mental health, lead to depression, and put them at an increased risk of suicide. Depression is often accompanied by anxiety, which is another typical psychological response to cancer. Many veterans experience depression after a cancer diagnosis, which can be related to the following:
- changes in their appearance or increased need for assistance.
- cancer survivors' permanent worries about the condition's recurrence
Another layer of mental health challenges former service members struggle with is denial. Sometimes, veterans may not want to admit to struggling with mental health challenges and may attempt to mask the signs. It has to do with being worried about the stigma that often comes with a mental health diagnosis. This is why it's imperative to be aware of the signs of struggling to get the needed treatment.
The issue's severity is shown in data: approximately half of all recently separated veterans don't use available resources and benefits for several years, and sometimes only when they are in crisis. The deep connection between military service and mental health is a fact for about 1 in 3 veterans seeking treatment for illnesses while battling depression and anxiety at the same time. It's essential knowledge that the signs and symptoms of depression may be difficult to notice at first:
- hopelessness and/or worthlessness
- loss of interest and/or withdrawal
- increased fatigue and sleep problems
- anxiety and/or irritability
- changes in appetite and weight
- mood swings and/or uncontrollable emotions
- suicidal thoughts
Sensitivity towards these mental states is crucial on behalf of family members and veterans' supporters. Their role can be essential in pointing out that depression affects millions of people from all walks of life and can guide veterans who face this experience toward available effective treatments and resources for dealing with depression. No matter the stressors vets may experience or where the depression may have come from, it's essential to seek treatment.
Veterans May Have Difficulty Navigating the VA Healthcare System
For many former military members, the VA claims process can be one of the most stressful experiences, given that the proceedings are often long and complex and can involve multiple appeals, which can lead to frustration, anxiety, and even despair. Navigating the claims process while managing service-connected disabilities, particularly those related to mental health, can create additional psychological strain, including:
- frustration with delays and bureaucracy - the VA claims process can take months or even years to resolve. Especially if a claim is initially denied and goes into appeal, frustration, and stress emerge after waiting for updates, which can also feel like the process is stalled.
- feeling invalidated - when their claims are denied, or their disability rating is lower than expected, veterans may feel that their service or injuries are not being recognized. Feeling invalidated can affect self-esteem and cause feelings of resentment toward the VA system.
- reactivation of PTSD - the process of recounting traumatic experiences during Compensation & Pension (C&P) exams or filling out claims forms can trigger symptoms in veterans with mental health conditions, making the process even more emotionally taxing.
- anxiety - waiting for decisions and fearing denial can heighten anxiety, especially for veterans who rely on benefits for financial or medical support.
- depression - if the process drags on or results in denials, veterans may feel hopeless or that their sacrifices are not being honored
- anger - when the VA seems unresponsive or feels that their claims are unfairly denied, many veterans experience anger.
- disillusionment - when the expectations of fair and timely decisions are not met, veterans can become disillusioned and feel disconnected from the system designed to support them.
Mental Health Services for Other-Than-Honorable Discharged Veterans
No matter why a veteran was given an other-than-honorable discharge (OTH), it can have consequences that last a lifetime. Beyond preventing them from receiving healthcare, an OTH carries a permanent stigma. Even if a veteran has an OTH, certain benefits may still be accessible. Plus, those with an OTH might be able to receive an upgraded discharge status. The available services to OTH cover the entire continuum of VA mental health care, including:
- outpatient care
- acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalization
- residential rehabilitation care
Veterans with a discharge status of OTH or Bad Conduct may be eligible to apply for a VA Character of Discharge Determination with the local VBA Regional Office. The VA Character of Discharge Determination is a vital path a veteran can take to attain basic veteran eligibility for accessing VA benefits. After a Character of Discharge Determination grants the application, the veteran becomes "Honorable for VA Purposes" or "HVAP," meaning that for VA benefits, the veteran is eligible and has a viable veteran status, including:
- VA healthcare
- service-connected disability compensation
- housing assistance through the VA
However, it does not include certain education benefits that require a fully honorable discharge. Furthermore, a positive Character of Discharge Determination will not change anything on the DD-214. To change the discharge status or narrative reason for separation on your DD-214, you must apply for a discharge upgrade to the Department of Defense discharge review and/or corrections boards.
We Offer Support for Veterans in Filing Claims for Compensation
The general public's perception of disabling conditions affecting veterans usually focuses on physical wounds incurred in combat, and only an informed group adds mental health problems such as depression or anxiety to the picture. People with insight can admit now that the VA claims process is stressful and can be emotionally draining for veterans and their families alike. It is one of the factors why many veterans never apply and miss the benefit of receiving the deserved remuneration.
To spare the stress from the long and complex VA claims process, seeking help from a legal expert is highly recommended. By getting help from an attorney specializing in VA claims, you're free from the paperwork burden, as the lawyer can help collect the needed documents faster and file your claim according to VA requirements. We can help by connecting you with the best professionals who are ready to help with your case.