Veteran Claus Madsen awarded compensation for PTSD after lengthy battle with Danish authorities

Claus Madsen, a veteran, has been diagnosed with PTSD by multiple psychiatrists and the Retslægerådet, the highest medical authority in Denmark, following his deployment to the Balkans where he experienced direct combat. Despite this, both the Arbejdsmarkedets Erhvervssikring (AES) and the Ankestyrelsen rejected his claims for compensation six times, citing the long delay in the onset of his symptoms—nearly 20 years post-deployment.

The case was escalated to the Erhvervssygdomsudvalget, responsible for addressing occupational illness matters. In this unique situation, Madsen began suffering from suicidal thoughts, flashbacks, and relived war experiences long after returning home. When it came to voting on his compensation, only the employers voted against it, disregarding evaluations from four medical specialists and Retslægerådet.

Madsen expressed confusion over the employers’ role in the decision-making process, suggesting that they might be deflecting responsibility to avoid financial liabilities. He highlighted that employers lack expertise in medical issues, questioning their presence in the committee.

The Danish Employers’ Association and the Public Employers’ group argued against Madsen’s compensation, claiming the stress he endured was insufficient to cause his PTSD and that there was no clear temporal link between his service and the onset of his symptoms.

Despite initial resistance, Madsen was eventually granted compensation, almost eight years after he first applied. This protracted struggle led to feelings of disillusionment with the system, as he noted the challenges many veterans face when seeking acknowledgment and support after being deployed.