I often wondered if McCain has PTSD only because of my experience working with Former POW'S, in which all that I saw had a dual diagnosis of PTSD. I will give you two descriptions of how the VA rates a veteran with PTSD. The first is 10% disability. The second is 100% disability.

Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or; symptoms controlled by continuous medication 10% S/C

Total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms as: gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name 100 % S/C

As you can see above, whether it is 10% or 100%, there is a certain amount of social and occupational impairment. I realize that a lot of veterans who suffer from this work full time, but the question should be asked, that if a Presidential Nominee has PTSD, and is deemed socially or occupationally impaired, should they be President or should they be seeking help for the condition.

Posted at April 10, 2008 11:58 PM in response to McCain & PTSD