The 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals decided that a contracted linguist who was sent to Iraq to work with the troops was eligible for workers’ compensation benefits for his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Abdulraouf Abdelmeged worked as a linguist for Global Linguist Solutions and worked in Iraq supporting the United States military for two years. About two years after his return he filed a workers’ comp claim under the Defense Base Act, alleging that he developed PTSD because of his work and it was now impacting him so he could not earn his former wages.

According to the ALJ he had met his burden to show that he was disabled, meeting both the medical and economic aspect of disability. This was upheld by a Benefits Review Board and then his employer and their insurer, Zurich, petitioned for a review with the panel.

Abdelmeged presented credible testimony, the opinion of his treating psychiatrist and a demonstrated inability to earn his former wages upon his return from overseas.

They denied the petition and upheld his benefits. They also clarified that all reviews of compensation orders arising under the Defense Base Act should be filed in the circuit where the relevant district director is located, rather than in the circuit where the ALJ’s office is located.

Read their opinion here.