Female soldiers and others who served behind front lines have long complained about how hard it is to prove their combat experience when applying for disability due to post-traumatic stress disorder. That could soon change.
The Veterans Affairs Department has proposed reducing the paperwork required for veterans to show their experience caused combat-related stress. Even just the fear of hostile action would be sufficient, as long as a VA psychologist or psychiatrist agreed. The VA says the change would streamline claims and recognize the "inherently stressful nature" of war service.
