I disagree with your opinion.
PTSD is a legitimate DSM-IV diagnosis.
Apart from the psychological effects of the mental illness that can be observed, there are also physiological effects that can be measured to help indicate PTSD, such as measuring the startle reflex to loud noises, excessive perspiration, and increased breathing (Think Fight/Flight Reflex).
There are many other measures that a therapist can use to help evaluate PTSD in a veteran, such as these:
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/pages/assessments/all_measures.asp
Of concern to PTSD therapists is the fact that many nay-sayers place obstacles in the paths of veterans who need mental health treatment for PTSD.
“A recent literature review by Vogt (2011) not exclusively focused on OEF/OIF Veterans or PTSD suggests that both concerns about public stigma and personal beliefs about mental illness may be important barriers to service use. However, Vogt points out that we understand too little about treatment-related beliefs among Veterans and that developing this area could help us design interventions to promote engagement in effective treatments.”
Health Services Use in the Department of Veterans Affairs among Returning Iraq War and Afghan War Veterans with PTSD:
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/newsletters/research-quarterly/v22n2.pdf
Doctors have incentive to diagnose PTSD, and the VA has incentive to expand the roles. And if you pay disability for it, then vets have incentive to claim it.
No one has incentive to reject PTSD claims, unless it is pride.
My Dad had nightmares for years, and never told anyone what they were about. Heck, it wasn’t until years after his death that my MOM told us he had them at all - but he was a very successful officer, husband and father.
My Uncle John had 3 ships sunk out from under him, and did the 2 days in the North Atlantic with no clue how he survived - he also was a successful father and businessman.
And yes, I’ve met vets of Iraq & Afghanistan (BTW, I flew combat over Iraq and did a ground tour in Afghanistan) who discussed how to maximize their benefits. SOME people in Iraq and Afghanistan truly went through very traumatic experiences, but not all that many. My son in law, like my Dad, has some things he refuses to talk about, but he also refuses to ‘try’ for PTSD.