06/02/2026
Some days in this work are harder than others.
Today is one of those days.
As many of you know, I am a VA Accredited Claims Agent. What some may not know is that I am also a licensed clinical social worker and hold a Ph.D. specializing in military mental health and trauma. I have spent years working with veterans, advocating for them, conducting research, and helping them navigate systems that can often feel overwhelming and discouraging.
Today I reviewed a PTSD Compensation & Pension examination for a Vietnam veteran I represent. This veteran has endured decades of suffering. His record includes chronic PTSD diagnoses, psychiatric hospitalizations, failed marriages, substance abuse that began after his military trauma, legal issues, sleep disturbances, nightmares, intrusive memories, and a lifetime of consequences stemming from experiences most people could never imagine. Imagine pulling your deceased fellow brothers and sisters out of the water during the Vietnam War…
After speaking with him, he shared that during the evaluation he felt rushed through the examination and never truly had the opportunity to tell his story. When he tried, she would cut him off. That concerned me right away. Then I reviewed the report this morning…she said he has no PTSD despite having a “Chronic PTSD” diagnosis from the VA.
I won't discuss the details of the claim, but I will say this: when you spend years working with veterans, you learn to recognize the deep and lasting impact that trauma can have on a person's life. Sometimes the records tell a story far beyond a checklist or a brief appointment.
Moments like this remind me why I do this work.
I do not advocate for veterans because it is easy. I advocate because I have seen the cost of war long after the uniforms come off. I have sat across from veterans struggling with PTSD, depression, military sexual trauma, addiction, homelessness, relationship breakdowns, and thoughts of su***de. I have listened to stories that would break most people's hearts.
I am the daughter of immigrants, I have been to combat, a social worker, a professor, and now a claims agent. Every one of those experiences has shaped my belief that people deserve to be heard, especially those who sacrificed for our country.
Our veterans are more than a diagnosis. More than a claim number. More than a 20-minute examination.
They deserve to have their stories heard. They deserve fair evaluations. They deserve advocates who will continue fighting when they are too exhausted to fight for themselves.
So on days like today, I may get frustrated. I may get angry. But I will also keep pushing forward because every veteran deserves someone willing to stand in their corner.
And I will continue doing exactly that.
Dr. Carol Meza
