Are there veterans’ rights that can help treat PTSD?

I am a veteran returning to work, and I suffer from PTSD. I need treatment periodically, which requires that I take time off work intermittently. Are there any veterans’ rights that protect me?

First of all, thank you for your service. And yes, there are several federal laws that provide important protections for veterans, particularly those with disabilities looking for jobs or returning to their former employers. Two of those laws — the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — protect veterans from discrimination. USERRA has requirements for re-employing veterans with and without service-connected disabilities and is enforced by the US Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Justice (DOJ). Title I of the ADA, which is enforced by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating against individuals on the basis of disability. Any veteran who meets the ADA’s definition of disabled is covered regardless of whether the disability is service-connected. Check out USERRA at DOL.gov/Vets/Programs/USERRA and the ADA at ADA.gov to find out more.

I’ve spent my entire career in the military, so nothing on my resume relates to a job in the corporate world. Any tips on how to make my CV relevant?

First of all, it isn’t true that nothing you’ve done relates to the workplace. If you can navigate very real hostile environments with your colleagues in a military setting, the workplace will be child’s play for you, so don’t sell yourself short. Highlight your traits and capabilities — the transferable skills that apply anywhere — and talk about how they relate to the career you seek. There are also many programs designed to help veterans transition to corporate careers. Explore VA.gov; RecruitMilitary.com; and the Veterans Career Transition Program (VCTP), part of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University (IVMF.Syracuse.edu), which provides free online programs for veterans transitioning to corporate careers. Good luck!