Begg's (1975) research found the following about PTSD during Vietnam era:.
The diagnosis was not called PTSD during this era it was called Post Vietnam Syndrome. This syndrome usually consisted of combat related nightmares, anxiety, anger, depression, alcohol and/or drug dependence, and poor responsiveness. In order for the Soldier to receive compensation or treatment for this disorder during this time frame they would have to be diagnosed with gross stress reaction. If the Soldiers experienced symptoms for 6 months after their return home it was considered a transient situational disorder. This meant it was a pre-existing condition which disqualified him for treatment or any kind of compensation from the United States Government.
Although the soldiers did not receive compensation the mental health field was gaining valuable information about the disorder that they used for future patients. The signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder can remain latent for several months or even years upon redeployment from the combat zone. Studies that have periodically reassessed Soldiers indicate that the prevalence of PTSD increases during the 12 months after deployment (Sudin, Iversen, Rona, Fear, & Weesely, 2010). This information shows that Soldiers returning from Vietnam were not treated fairly. They did not receive any kind of mental health or medical attention, and nor did they receive any compensation for the trauma they were experiencing. The symptoms could have possibly mirrored those closely of other psychological illness such as depression or anxiety. .
Fast forward to the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, in an article titled "PTSD after deployment to Iraq: conflicting rates, conflicting claims" published in 2009, the authors J. Sundin, N.T. Fear, A. Iversen, R.J. Rona and S. Weesley, conducted research on the variations of the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among combat veterans.
