The effects of war on mental health

A hundred claimants, almost entirely ex-service personnel who claimed sequelae following their war service, were assessed for their war pension rights. The difficulties they experienced are discussed, especially as regards physical symptoms, pre-morbid personality, length of time since event, effects of different locations, memory difficulties, concomitant old age etc. In spite of these difficulties it is still important to attempt to be unbiased and try to give the DHSS guidance in their difficult job.