“I’m Lori Underwood, an attorney with Woods and Woods, a nationwide VA disability law firm practicing from Evansville, Indiana.
“Without a doubt, as a veteran, you have been exposed to more trauma and extremely stressful experiences than most of us. It should be recognized that these experiences leave scars, both mentally and physically.
“Here at Woods and Woods, we have helped many veterans who have been affected by these experiences and believe that they have PTSD, when the VA has failed to recognize this injury.
“Oftentimes the VA is looking to prove a stressor, which occurred in your line of duty through your service treatment records, in order for them to accept that you have PTSD.
“However, you may be one of thousands of veterans who incurred a moral injury that is not going to be found in your service treatment records and leaving your records void of any kind of stressor for the VA to prove. This might have been a cause of the VA’s continued denial for your claim for PTSD.”
What is moral injury?
“By some definition, a moral injury is a distressing, psychological behavioral, social, and or spiritual consequence you experienced after being part of, or just a witness to some trauma or extremely stressful circumstance.
“Many times, a moral injury occurs without physical injury. It’s something that affects the way you think, you act, and you feel for the rest of your life, and you just can’t shake it off.
“In times of war, there are no doubt countless situations in which you are subject to moral injury, but in times of peace as well, you may experience situations which left you with a moral injury.”
Examples of moral injuries
“Some examples we have seen through helping veterans over the years include having to take part in an event which resulted in the killing of, or witnessing the killing of others, having to witness violence, or even just failing to report something which you felt was wrong at the time.
“The old adage applies that you are unique, and there’s only one you. So similarly, we all process trauma differently. There can be no comprehensive list of what gives rise to a moral injury or how you process the moral injury, once you’ve experienced it.
“If you have been victim to a moral injury, you may notice several changes within yourself, which could indicate the onset of PTSD or a similar mental illness. With or without proper treatment, signs of these changes might include increased alcohol or drug abuse used to mask or numb your unwanted feelings, feelings of anxiety, depression, or shame, loss of interest in things that you used to enjoy, or sadness and guilt.”
“From the day we contacted [Woods and Woods], they made us feel so comfortable. They treated us like we mattered and we were not just clients but family.”
How Woods and Woods can help
“If you are a veteran who has experienced a moral injury in your line of duty, and you wonder if you have PTSD or if you should file a claim for PTSD, or don’t know what steps to take next, you can give us a call at Woods and Woods. We have helped countless veterans like you achieve the benefits that they deserve. I’m Lori Underwood. Thanks for watching.”
Lori Underwood
VA disability lawyer
Woods and Woods
VA Accreditation Number: 38539
