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piratelip

Seaman
  • Posts

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About piratelip

Contact Methods

  • Yahoo
    piratelip@yahoo.com

Profile Information

  • Location
    San Diego
  • Interests
    Music, Cooking, Art, Sailing

Previous Fields

  • Service Connected Disability
    None
  • Branch of Service
    Navy

piratelip's Achievements

  1. Hello all, I have been following this website, among others, and have found it to be profoundly helpful in guiding me through the VA claims process as well as hearing stories from other veterans and their loved ones struggling with the same issues I have been struggling with for years. I have only posted once before on here and got some very helpful responses. I am hoping that there maybe are a few of you out there that can help me get a grasp on what is happening right now as I am becoming increasingly anxious with my claims status and the continuing deterioration of aspects of my financial, social and emotional well being. I appreciate all comments (helpful and courteous of course) and feel that my overall point with this thread is to get a grasp on where I am at, claim-wise, and where I might be headed. As well as any suggestions for actions I could take or any contacts in my local area, or for that matter nationwide, that might be able to help. A little background. I filed a claim in feb 2013 for PTSD along with depression, anxiety attacks (ect.). I did so under the advise of a veterans outreach officer who I was contacted by while serving a year sentence in jail for brandishing a firearm. While not a Dr. or therapist, she immediately recognized symptoms and behavior patterns indicating pretty severe reactions to trauma. Not wanting to go into too much detail about what landed me in jail (I think it speaks for itself) prior to that, my behavior and emotional stability had slowly deteriorated from my discharge in 2006. Over the course of 7 years from my deployment in 2005 I developed anxiety which was treated in service and recorded in my SMR. I started medicating with alcohol (in addition to the SSRI's prescribed) and was kicked out of the Navy for etoh treatment refusal, racked up 2 DUI's, dropped out of college, fired from multiple jobs and lost a business (restaurant) that I had started resulting in bankruptcy, homelessness, and me being basically destitute. After ending my incarceration in March, I was living in a veterans homeless shelter and found a part-time job. I was able to rent a small room temporarily, but unfortunately it is no longer available and, as of the 15th of next month I will be back at the shelter until I am able to find something else. So that was me after my deployment in 2004-2005. Before 2004 I was an exceptional sailor with glowing evals, tons of friends, hobbies, ambition. I joined up in 2003 out of high school with a 99 ASVAB turning down college acceptance in lieu of service for my country. Now I find it hard to have interactions with anybody for any longer than 60 seconds. I rarely leave my room and have no, and I really mean no friends at all. I haven't spoken with a single member of my family in over a year. It has been quite a transformation. While I did deploy to a combat zone in 2004-2005, I was never in immediate life-threatening danger however my rate did subject me to some intense situations. I worked at a field hospital in Kuwait in casualty receiving doing trauma care as a Hospital Corpsman. Which brings me to my first question. I have described in detail in my stressor letter one, of many, situations (this one involving mass casualty) however I am still not sure if my stressor has been verified or conceded. I had a psych C&P done on 11/6/13 which my therapist from the VetCenter went over very briefly with me but I did not get to examine. He told me that the C&P examiner had indeed indicated a diagnosis of PTSD (55 GAF) but he failed to mention anything about a stressor, only that he thought my GAF was too high in his opinion and that it "seemed to look good otherwise". My question arises because, while I did think that because of my MOS and where I was deployed, during the time-frame and especially with the new regs it really wasn't even an issue about conceding the stressor (not to mention I was under the belief they don't schedule PTSD C&P's without verifying stressors to begin with), checking my ebenefits site it shows under solicited documents "O18 Personnel records-personal trauma". Is this a cause for concern as the O18 PIES request is more in-depth and time consuming than the O19? Does this indicate somehow that my stressor is not in fact verified or conceded at this stage and needs more investigation? I am aware that ebenefits is not regarded as being very accurate, however it makes me anxious because my VSO (who gets my mail due to me being homeless) has been receiving repeated VCAA notices as well as letters saying the VA never received my stressor letter (like 6 in all) even as recently as last month despite the fact that it was all sent in (3 times now, with receipts, from April) and the RO confirms this. Could this just be their system being a little cock-eyed? Also, to jump back to the C&P, supposing that SC is awarded, with my history, DX, GAF, any thoughts on rating. I know that without a copy of the exam, and it all kinda being a toss-up anywho, this is basically just shots in the dark. I know that the words "moderate to severe" were used. I have a concern that because I am technically "employed" that will work against me. However, I am hoping they take into consideration I work 8-12 hours a week and make less that 1000 a month and that I am homeless. When I filed my I was unemployed (incarcerated) and requested TDIU. Would I still qualify, or more to the point, that they would still consider it, being that I do have a job. But to be honest it is a nightmare struggle everyday at work. Even just the 2-3 days a week 4-6 hours at a time I am in a near constant state of anxiety attack. And my last question/concern has to do with time frame. I went to a second C&P on 11/20/13 which was the last one scheduled (physical, for headaches, chest pain, photophobia associated with anxiety attacks). My ebenefits page tells me my claim has moved into the "preparing for decision" phase. Not sure if that is good or bad. I know the backlog is horrendous but I honestly expected a time frame of 8-12 months. As of now I am at 273 days and counting. I know that my VSO has submitted a financial hardship form, and even the C&P examiner was aware of my homelessness. He did mention I need to get a bank account (possibly a good sign) but I have yet to get a paycheck that covers more than my bus fare and top ramen at walmart. I am understanding of the wait and also know that VA disability is just one aspect of the overall treatment of PTSD, however making it to appointments, staying positive, and trying to heal and get better is difficult to do while homeless and hungry. I am hoping that since my last C&P was a week ago (and according to my VSO I am in a priority group) a decision will be made within the next 30 or so days and I won't have to spend to much more of the winter in a homeless shelter. Is this a reasonable hope? Anyone know the current timeframes of the San Diego VARO? If you have any answers/comments/advice I really appreciate any tips to help me along. I know I have just dumped a huge novel of a posting and I hope it hasn't been in poor taste. I want to thank this site and everyone here for all the help and guidance I have received from just being a reader. I know that, while I am very far from good, hearing the stories and successes of people getting help has allowed me to believe I have a future. It took a lot for me to start seeking help but the VA, the VetCenter and sites like this have pushed me to stick with it and keep fighting the good fight so thanks.
  2. Greetings, This is my first time posting here and I am trying to get a definitive answer on a question I have had on my mind for awhile. I filed a claim with the VA for PTSD and related anxiety and depression 2/13 and am scheduled for a C&P in a week. My symptoms have been gradually getting worse over the years and I finally reached out for help. Not getting too in depth about my personal struggle my background is that I was a USN FMF Hospital Corpsman with a combat rotation in Iraq at a field hospital in 2005. I am not worried about my stressor being conceded, but I DO NOT have a current diagnosis from the VA for PTSD. I was seen on active duty in 2006 for anxiety and prescribed medication however I have not gone to the VA for mental health issues. I am currently being seen at the local Vet Center by a therapist and currently attend a weekly PTSD group. Because my C&P is in a week I do not have time to be seen by a VA Psychologist but could go to the PET clinic for emergency medications and be seen by a Psychiatrist . My question is, do I need a current diagnosis from a VA mental health MD? Will a diagnosis/referral from my Vet Center therapist suffice? I am asking this because, through reading online about this process, I have received two contradictory answers to these questions. I have read that during my C&P the examining VA doctor will assign a diagnosis at that time. Is this accurate? Will the C&P examiner diagnosis PTSD and will that be enough to satisfy the criteria of needing a current PTSD diagnosis? If not, please provide any advise/information that will be useful for me going forward with my claim. Thank you for your help and I appreciate all the advise and stories I have read on these boards, it is nice to know I am not alone. -Sam
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