Can I claim any negative side effects from PTSD drugs for compensation purposes?
(I asked a friend at the VA and here is the answer.) The answer to that is yes. The law was changed to state that drug and alcohol use can be a secondary consideration if used to tolerate symptoms of a service connected condition.
So, that means if a veteran has a service connection for a condition such as PTSD... and if the veteran alleges that he uses pot and alcohol to tolerate his PTSD symptoms, perhaps to fall asleep or minimize nightmares, the chemical dependency may be considered a secondary condition that would actually increase the veteran's service connection rating. That is a radical departure from the traditional position that the V.A. has always taken regarding drug and alcohol use: that it was "misconduct". This will not be an easy claim increase, and I would expect delays. But receiving an increase is possible.
The same would follow for drugs prescribed by the VA to treat PTSD. Some drugs do have serious side effects, and if those side effect lead to a serious condition, file a claim for that condition as secondary to PTSD treatment.
The best thing to do is immediately report any side effects so the doctor can change the medicine.
Also, always ask about the possible complications of mixing certain medicines. If you take other medicines, make sure each doctor knows what you’re taking because mixing certain drugs can cause serious side effects.
Most Nam vets have reached the age where we all end up taking some kind of medicine for blood pressure, stomach problems, etc. Make sure to check all the side effects.
If you take medicine, and you suddenly get the same medicine but it looks different, call and make sure you have the right medicine. The pharmacy can check to make sure you were not given the wrong pills by mistake or if the drug has a new manufacturer and a new shape.
The VA contacted me by phone one time and told me to throw away a new bottle of medicine I had received. It was the right medicine, but in the wrong dosage. I’m glad they caught it because I wouldn’t have known I was taking twice the dose I should have been taking.
The higher dose could have taken me out. I’m real careful now with any kind of medicine.
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