If you’ve been injured in the line of duty, you have the possibility of receiving compensation from the Veterans Affairs Department, but you must submit a disability claim. This process can be complicated; in fact, the majority of claims applications are denied, and the decision must be appealed. Going through the disability claims process can be time-consuming, frustrating, and demoralizing, especially when you are already dealing with mental or physical effects from your time in service.
As you work through the disability claims process, it’s important to focus on your mental health. It’s estimated that 5.2 million veterans suffer from at least one mental health condition. PTSD, depression, and generalized anxiety are the most common ones, but many also struggle with substance abuse, which is only exacerbated by the financial and emotional stresses of dealing with a disability.
Today, we’ll discuss some of the ways that veterans can ensure good mental health as they work to get their disabilities covered by the Veterans Affairs Department.
Consult With a VA Disability Claims Coach
The claims process can be confusing, and it can feel isolating to jump through these many hoops alone. This is why veterans may find it helpful to work with a VA disability claims consulting company, which provides education and referrals to get the documentation required by Veterans Affairs.
These coaches can connect you with physicians and healthcare workers familiar with the claims process who will write your nexus statements, which are a critical component of getting your claim approved. Working with a coach can also provide crucial support from someone who understands what you’re going through and can help you avoid common pitfalls that may scuttle your disability claim.
Stick to Routines
Military life is very organized, so you might feel as if you’ve lost a sense of comfort when your life is no longer so strictly regimented. This can make you feel helpless and lost, and it can also make it hard to keep track of what you need to do to stay on top of your disability claim – as well as your mental health.
As such, you may find it useful to develop a strict routine for yourself; this can help you from falling into depression and getting behind on important application deadlines. Online calendars with email notifications, paper planners, bullet journals, and alarms allow you to replicate the familiarity of having a set routine, and they also ensure you don’t miss important meetings, doctor’s appointments, and emails.
Focus On Your Diet
While you know that a good diet is important for your physical health, you may not be aware of the wonders it can do for your mental health, too. A diet heavy in processed foods can exacerbate depression, as these foods are low in nutrients but high in mood-tanking ingredients and excess calories.
Strive to eat a well-balanced diet full of protein, healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins. While convenience food may feel like the easiest choice when you’re already struggling with mental health problems and have low energy, you can replace these with healthier but easy options such as assorted nuts, cheese, precut vegetables, and fruit.
You might find it beneficial to work with a nutritionist: the Veterans Affairs Department has Registered Dietician Nutritionists who can assist you in making healthy food choices. You can still access these resources as you work through your disability claim with the department.
Join a Veterans Support Group
It can often feel like civilians can’t understand what you’re going through: the pain, the loss, the trauma, and the isolation. This is why you may feel it helpful to find a support group in your area of veterans who understand how you feel and are willing to listen as you process your emotions. These are often available through hospital systems – including VA hospitals – and through more informal meetup groups. Make The Connection, which is through the VA system, has a directory of nearby support groups, as well as a wealth of resources on mental health care.
If you live in a more rural area, you can connect with fellow veterans online through organizations such as Vets4Warriors, which is a confidential support group available through phone, chat, and email. Vet Friends is another great resource that can help you find friends you met in the military but may have lost touch with after you left the service. Women Vets On Point is a group specifically for female veterans, assisting them in processing their feelings about their service and their reintegration into civilian life.
It’s difficult to manage your mental health while dealing with a disability and working through the VA claims process, but it’s certainly not impossible. A strong support system, a good diet, and a careful adherence to routines can help you stay grounded and optimistic as you prepare your documentation and wait for the exciting news that you’ll be duly compensated for what you sacrificed in service to your country.
