★ PTSDIY · Field Manual ★ Part VI ★
Chapter 31
VA, benefits and insurance
Work the system
FM 31-BEN-301Paperwork
31-1.Mission brief
The system is complicated on purpose or by accident, and either way it stops people from getting care they've earned. This chapter is a route map. It's general guidance, not legal advice; rules change, so check current details.
31-2.Veterans — two separate tracks
| Track | What it gets you | How to start |
|---|---|---|
| VA health care | Treatment, including PTSD programs | Apply online at VA.gov, by phone, or in person |
| VA disability compensation | Monthly tax-free payment for service-connected conditions | File a claim, ideally with a free accredited representative |
You can get VA mental health care without a disability rating, and in many cases without being enrolled at all through Vet Centers.
31-3.Field procedures — filing a claim
| 01 | Get a free representativeAccredited Veterans Service Officers from veteran service organizations and county offices help at no cost. |
| 02 | Gather recordsDD-214, service treatment records, any private treatment records. |
| 03 | File an intent to fileLocks in your effective date while you gather evidence. |
| 04 | Attend the examBe honest about your worst days, not just your best. |
31-4.Rules of engagement
Warning — It is illegal for anyone to charge you to file an initial VA claim. Avoid "claim consultants" who ask for fees or a share of your back pay.
31-5.Not a veteran?
| Situation | Where to look |
|---|---|
| Private insurance | Federal parity law requires mental health coverage comparable to medical coverage in most plans |
| First responders | Workers' compensation coverage for PTSD varies by state; check with your union |
| Healthcare workers | Employee assistance programs; some states offer confidential physician and nurse health programs |
| No insurance | Community mental health centers and university training clinics offer sliding-scale fees |
31-6.Common faults & corrections
| ✕ | Fault: Giving up after a denialCorrection: Denials can be appealed, and many succeed with a representative. |
PTSDIY · FM 31-BEN-301 · Part VI31