According to my Mom, my Dad - WW2 in P-47s, Korea in A-26s, killed in Vietnam - had nightmares for years. He’d be sweating, shaking, and she would wake him up. He never told her what the nightmares were about.
He also didn’t drink or use drugs. He married after WW2, raised 2 kids, rose to the rank of Colonel with a high school diploma. Like my uncle who went thru Omaha beach and the uncle who had 3 ships sink under him, he went on with life. NO drugs. All had an occasional beer, but I never saw them drunk. All raised good families.
I 100% believe PTSD happens and is real. I also 100% believe a LOT of folks are claiming it for the $$$.
Both statements sadly are very true.