cook_15

Hello... I am wanting to know about my current situation and what you guys think? I am currently sitting at 100% non-permanent. I have been rated at this since 2014. Last year I had a reevaluation C&P for my PTSD and my rating for that went from 70 to 100. I got a slight bump in compensation as well with the addition of one of the SMC's (I don't remember which one--but I started getting an extra $400 or so in addition to my regular 100% amount I had gotten before). I have 11 individual disabilities that are rated at 10% each, and then I have sleep apnea at 50% and now my new rating for PTSD which is 100, for a total of 260%. When I did my C&P last October, although some of my symptoms for PTSD had improved, the C&P doc said that my depression and anxiety has gotten worse... I know my wife would agree probably... but I dunno... it is what it is... I hope to again someday feel normal and not have the need for these meds... Anyway, I've been struggling to get back to work and haven't worked in over half a year and I realized the job I had last year and the year before (after I retired from the Corps) was kept afloat from my boss who had a lot of compassion for me, but since moving on from that job and trying something different I realized I'm not so cut out for the civilian workforce.. I tend to not mesh well with civilians and my anxiety goes through the roof when I face situations that frustrate me--which was quite often. When I did my C&P exam last fall for my re-eval I told the doc that and I wonder if that had any bearing on my upgraded rating? I dunno. I wasn't expecting the upgrade to 100 for ptsd alone but I guess I'll take it, but I wonder if that means I can't work again? Me being at home is adding stress to my plate having to deal with family stuff so regularly etc and I have 3 small kids... it's just tough and want to try to get out and get some kind of a job. Hopefully. Even if it's just at Home Depot or something like that.. part time even. My letter that came said nothing about unemployable but they did say I could fill out a form for it if I wanted, but I didn't. I don't want to be labeled as that. Sorry for the long post.. I kinda don't know what to ask, but I have some other friends who I retired with that told me I ought to try to get labeled by the VA as P&T, but I really have no idea what that means or if I should risk applying for it. Can someone tell me? I don't really see myself improving much any time soon, in fact, I wish I lived in a state that had legal medicinal marijauna so I could see if that might help me and allow me to get off of all these meds. (I take 3 different meds from mental health that have various side effects that I am tired of, not counting what I take for pain management) Thanks in advance. I guess what I hope to hear is what you guys would do in my situation? I don't mind going to my appointments at the VA, but it's easier now to do that since I'm not working. I average 3-4 a month... I guess it would be nice not to go anymore, but then I feel I would be cutting myself off from possibly getting better. I wonder if I should try getting help outside of the VA? Does anyone do that for mental health? Anyway, again sorry to ramble... Thank you, Edit: by the way, I am a retired Marine 0369 with 6 deployments under my belt.. 2 in support of OIF.

Should I get the other conditions added, and if so, how does that process work? If they add them do they rate all over again or only add them to my current rating until I am up again for re-evaluation.

Hello. This is a good site. I have been wondering what to do. Can someone help me? Wife and other friends are telling me to appeal (as is my VA doctor from hospital) I retired from Marine Corps last summer. EAS was 31 Aug, eBenefits said claim started Sep 1, and finished Oct 7. I got my pack in late October I think. I looked at it some and then put it up. I had a regular retirement, not medically retired or anything. Active duty. Infantry. 6 deployments, 2 for OIF. Enlisted. I am rated at 100% but the letter says I have to be evaluated again starting Sept 1, 2016. I have mental health appts monthly and take 3 different meds.Ugh. Hate that. haven't went to PTSD group things yet cause I hate thinking about it. I recently got it out again to view what I was rated at in details. I have ratings of 70, 50, and 12 things with 10%. ptsd, sleep apnea, and from neck down to ankles covers the 12 other rated conditions. I was also rated at 0% for 3 or 4 things. I don't have a TBI. My question is about why they left off my huge hiatal hernia (acid reflux/heartburn--no mention of it), and also my hand pain in both hands (its across the tops of each hand) and it's not carpal tunnel. I have no numbness in palm. But I can't lay in bed without hands perfectly flat or they start aching and throbbing. Been this way several years now. I was evaluated for both, but it's not on my final claim. My lower back was only rated at 10% as well, but I can hardly sit in one place for 10 minutes before it locks up and my MRI said I have bulging disks and degenerate disease and mild scoliosis without fractures plus narrowing of space between the bottom 7 or 8 vertebrae. Pain meds don't work on me and my TENS unit helps some, but only lasts a little while till it still comes back. Pain meds don't work on my father either. Very little that is. I don't want to be a dang drug head. I guess the P&C exams don't really see how bad pain can be... upper back/neck burns and locks (no relief stretching) too if I sit still too long. Have to be moving around. I don't drink or do any sort of drug except these pills they give me. I take tramadol sometimes but it doesn't touch it really so I just deal with it. I am wondering if I should appeal for the missing items I did get evaluated for that never showed up on my final claim. I had an upper GI where I drank that silver stuff and I seen the hiatal hernia myself and the liquid go back up my esophagus when I was laying on my right side. Hernia was about a golf ball or so size. Doctor acknowledged too. I take medicine for it. I know I'm at 100% and although it isn't permenant, I don't see anything getting better, except my ability to focus and deal with mental issues. My mental health doctor didn't even know what the infantry was, kind of made me mad... how can they help people if they don't know what you are going through? I have been told to ask for a different one but I just want to get in and get out. I don't like being a "patient". Does anyone have a recommendation? If it is to appeal, what do I do? If I appeal and they add the extra stuff, can they lower anything else? Or can they only touch my possible reduction until Sept 1, 2016? I had a friend say that they usually reduce your PTSD rating. How low do they take it? I take clonipin to help me not have anxiety at night and it helps but it makes my anger worse the next day, I also had to stop zoloft because I was getting fits of rage at the slightest memory of something or if a frustration got bad. It's hard with family. My wife is helpful but its hard still. I work part-time less than 30 hours a week, just so I don't go stir crazy and Im also trying to go to school online, but Im not doing well... :-( Any advice?