Autoimmune diseases encompass a number of different conditions that share one common trait: they attack the body’s tissues as if it were a pathogen by producing specific antibodies to attack the healthy cells.
Doctors aren’t sure what triggers this biological mistake, but some people are more likely to have it than others. Science has identified 81 different autoimmune diseases. These illnesses can develop at any age, but most commonly between 40 and 50.
Types Of Autoimmune Disease
Of the 81 identified, the most common of these autoimmune conditions include:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Type 1 diabetes
- Lupus
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
- Grave’s Disease
- Vasculitis
- Myasthenia gravis
- Psoriasis
- Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome
- Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
If left untreated, an autoimmune condition could lead to damage to different parts of the body, including joints, skin, nerves, and muscles.
Causes Of AD
While science doesn’t offer a direct cause, researchers suspect:
- Genetics, since some conditions run in families (i.e., lupus and MS)
- Increased exposure to chemicals and other environmental toxins
- The “standard Western diet” (sometimes called SAD or Standard American Diet), consisting of highly processed foods, including a large amount of sugar and synthetic fats
- The “hygiene hypothesis”—children use antiseptics frequently are now vaccinated for such a wide range of things that they aren’t exposed to the bacteria and other substances that they used to. Without the exposure to “everyday germs,” immune systems don’t develop properly, and tend to over-react to harmless substances.
PTSD And The Service Connection
Part of applying for VA benefits includes establishing a service connection, and proving that your condition or injury occurred during the time you were in the service. But with many conditions, that’s not as easy as it sounds, although PTSD is a common service-connected cause for VA benefits.
A study conducted at the San Francisco VA Medical Center demonstrates a strong link between PTSD and the onset of autoimmune diseases. With 666,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans as study subjects, those diagnosed with PTSD had a 51% higher chance of developing an autoimmune condition.
The research team cited a number of reasons for this correlation, including:
- Immunity and/or hormonal changes that are brought on by PTSD
- Habits that are prevalent in PTSD patients, such as smoking, drinking, a less-than-ideal diet, and insufficient sleep
- Genetic and/or pre-existing genetic risk factors may lay the ground work for both conditions
It’s important to note that PTSD does not directly cause an autoimmune deficiency, only that there is a strong correlation. However, to prove a VA claim for compensation, one only has to establish a 50% probability of causation for the autoimmune condition. Therefore, the aforementioned VA study may be one part of your overall strategy.
Autoimmune As A Secondary Condition
If you already have a claim for PTSD, seeking a secondary service connection between the PTSD and the autoimmune condition may be your best bet for getting benefits for it.
Because no primary causes are established, it may be difficult to pinpoint where and when your autoimmune condition began. But proving that your autoimmune disease as a “side effect” of PTSD as a secondary service connection is a different matter.
You will have to prove your primary service connection first, which will require evidence including:
- Medical records and diagnosis
- Treatments
- Psychological exams
- Vocational reports
- Other related, relevant documentation
Additionally, you’ll need to prove a connection to your primary condition in order to prove your secondary condition. This will require a letter from a medical professional demonstrating the connection between the two conditions. The VA offers some information here.
Getting help with your VA disability application is the best way to get a head start on what may be a long, difficult process. An attorney experienced in VA applications can help you get started. He or she understands the process, and will ensure that your application is done correctly.
Helping Houston’s Veterans
William Herren is a veterans’ disability attorney who has worked with veterans in the Houston area for more than 30 years to help them get the benefits they deserve. Call The Herren Law Firm today at 713-682-8194 (or use our online contact form) to schedule your free consultation. There’s no obligation, and we’ll take your case on a contingency fee basis, with no up-front charges. We don’t charge you a fee until we win your case.
