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pigdriver

First Class Petty Officer
  • Posts

    120
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About pigdriver

  • Birthday 11/03/1944

Contact Methods

  • AIM
    cbanalyst1944@gmail.com
  • Website URL
    http://
  • ICQ
    0

Profile Information

  • Location
    Southwest Colorado
  • Interests
    Fishing, photography

Previous Fields

  • Service Connected Disability
    100%
  • Branch of Service
    Marines
  • Hobby
    fishing

pigdriver's Achievements

  1. Pete53 is right on with the employability issue. All you can do is wait for a rating decision and when it comes you can always appeal. Word of advice; if you're not working and can't hold gainful employment start getting regular monthly sessions with the mental health unit @ your VAMC. You must start building your case for an appeal if in fact an appeal is necessary. There is no, none, ziltch cure for PTSD, period. Don't let anyone @ VA convince you there is, all you can do is manage your symptoms and medications and go to the shrink once a month. Be totally honest with your Doctors', if you feel like hell then state it, it will take time but the constant probing will in itself bring those memories to the forefront and the resulting negative emotions; spike in BP, spike in adrenaline and cortizol and then the Dr. will enter his/her opinion and observations into your C file. Best of luck on your claim and thank you for your service.
  2. Wild Bill I would say Carlie is right on, the key is the IU. If they rate you IU P&T you will get the 100% rated financial benefit, from there you should go to Social Security and put in the claim for disability income, with your VA rating of IU P&T you are eligible. Hey, Thanks for your service!!
  3. Wait for the "Big" brown envelope. If you are unemployable due to the SC PTSD and can prove it if the award isn't what you think you are entitled to, and again if you can prove it and are willing to go through another C&P then you need to apply for TDIU. Keep taking your meds, keep all of your mental heath appointments, if you're not in a group then find one of your peer group and go to the meetings. First time around for me was 70% PTSD, 10% each for hearing and tinnitus. Applied for TDIU, 6 months later 2nd C&P, 4 months later awarded 100% PTSD P&T, 30% Hearing. I didn't get there because I'm very smart, my brothers and sisters @ hadit got me there every step of the way, so post your questions.
  4. I believe you must have a PTSD C&P exam by a VA examiner, unless they've changed the rules. There is a wealth of information on the site home page related to PTSD claims, read all you can about this mental disorder. Start writing down the questions as they come then post your questions right here on hadit, you will get responses. By the way Welcome Home!
  5. Welcome to hadit and Thank you for your Service. Give the forum the exact verbage on your rating notification from the VARO, then Berta, Carlie and some of the other Elders will be able to help you. They helped me every step of the way, especially Carlie! Couldn't have made it without you Carlie, I am forever grateful.
  6. In order to have success with either a TDIU or 100% P&T, a VA Dr. or a Dr. under contract with the VA must state in the report that your service connected disability prevents you from maintaining gainful employment and the reasons why. Carlie is right on with her post, your examiner in fact stated that you are good to go with employment. If you feel you should qualify for the TDIU or P&T you must provide evidence through the VA system stating you are a mess and can not work period!! This is a great forum for you to post all of your questions and concerns regarding your disability and what to expect plus the bonus of expert opinions and guidance. I thank GOD for leading me to this site in 2009.
  7. You got that right my brother! They're doing the same thing today; the "cozyness" of the lobby with the Legislative guarantees better weapons are on the way boy's just hang in there!! Let's go looking for a way to try out our "new toys" Amazing isn't it. If they get things winding down in Iraq and Afghanistan trust me, we'll be in another one. Only the people that take the risk of being killed, maimed, dis-abled or tramatized pay the price of Freedom for not just American citizens, also for the people we happen to be assisting. Yet we are either or neither a Hero or a scapegoat.
  8. Like hedgey stated there is really no complete cure for PTSD or the multiple symptoms associated. I had the symtoms when I left active duty back in 67, they just got worse over time untill finally after almost dying from acute alcohol poisoning in 2008 I was referred to mental heath and was diagnosed with severe PTSD. The meds do help to a degree, however they by their nature mask the symptoms by restricting or increasing hormones and amino acids etc. in our system while causing side effects that may be harmfull. If I don't take the meds as prescribed I experience mental and physical stress due to the anxiety and depression, I know I tried. I have accepted the fact that I will never be as I was mentally before combat, but that's ok. I just take it day by day brother, take the meds and visit with the shrinks on a monthly basis. If you can still hold gainful employment then by all means do so, even with 100% P&T it is tough without some other income such as SSDI or a spouse has income from employment or a pension. Remember how you are without the meds, that will tell you if your being "cured" or not; remember only you know truely how you are both mentally and physically.
  9. Follow Pete53's advise. Here is what happened with me. Got fired 10/2008, went to VAMC and got paperwork to apply for health care. In 1/2009 my primary referred me to mental health for PTSD exam; was diagnosed with severe PTSD GAF 43. Went on a regimen of drugs and group therapy, did the CPT 12 week thing. Filed for PTSD, hearing loss and tinnitus in 2/2009, had C&P for both in 6/2009. 02/2010 received award retro to filing date of 70% PTSD, 10% earing loss and 10% tinnitus for total of 80% (VA math); BUT the VA also suggested I file for TDIU as I didn't meet criteria for 100% PTSD but I was clearly unemployable accoding to my psych Dr. So I filed the the TDIU claim in 03/2009, had 2nd C&P for PTD. February of this year I was rated 100% PTSD P&T and 30% hearing loss; TDIU awarded back to 02/2009. No more exams or C&P's will be required. Now the kicker, I was drawing SSR starting in 11/2008 because I knew I was not suitable for employment, my initial income based classification was CAT 5 based on my SSR and my spouses SSR & Pension. They knew it all up front. From the very 1st appointment with the shrink my records starting reflecting severe to chronic PTSD not suitible for employment. Then they tried the incompetentcy game with me, didn't work, the Dr gave me a written and signed statement that I was not suitable for employment but could manage my affairs, copy to me, to DAV, original to VARO certified return receipt. Don't give up ever! The brother and sister veterans that are members of this wonderful site helped me and they will also help you. Do what they suggest and keep copies of everything!! Good Luck!
  10. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tbird!!

  11. bori; your Purple Heart means the VA does not have to verify stressor events, that is conceded. However the C&P exam results will determine the rating you receive from the VARO. There is a lot of confusion and deadly serious things happening in a firefight, every one of them, whether it's 1 or 1000. Anyone who has been in the "kill zone" has a stressor event each and every time, those that don't are psycopathic. Have you posted your most recent C&P results? If not your should but delete any personal info like SS #, claim # etc., perhaps someone on the site could help shed more light on the issue.
  12. Congrads John46 and thank you for your service! Follow LarryJ's advice, get the opinion letter from your Dr. stating you are not able to maintain employment due to your disabilities without any chance for improvement. When I found this site I'd just been diagnosed with PTSD, that was in March of 09; I filed the claim complete with all information LarryJ is recommending, other brother and sister veterans on this site guided me through the process. The 1st award in Nov 09 was 80% total with PTSD @ 70%; taking the advice from this forum I filed for TDIU in March last year, just got final award @ 100% PTSD P&T, no more Exams, ever! I could not have accomplished this without the advice and support of the hadit family, again thank you for helping me.
  13. Welcome to hadit.com Deltawife. Thank your husband for his service and thank you for supporting your husband with his claim. Sounds like he was SOCOM, which means that portion of his military record is classified, at what level I don't know. I recall reading something on this site regarding this issue with another SOCOM veteran, I am hoping Berta, Carlie and some of the other members could respond to this post for guidence. Your husband should be in some kind of counseling at a VA facility, one Dr for therapy and a Dr for meds. Very important you and your husband manage your own claim, a VSO is a good thing but no one will have the passion for success like you will, so manage your claim diligently. As for the group therapy it helps some veterans and some it doesn't, didn't seem to benefit me other then its always good to talk with other combat infantry veterans. You must have medical supporting evidence of the total disability to win with the VARO and that starts with treatment so get your primary to give you a referral to the Mental Health Clinic for treatment of PTSD. Remember the ultimate goal is to get rated 100% for PTSD P&T. Keep posting questions and you will find the solution here on hadit.com.
  14. Congradulations usmc/usa, you "took the high ground" and paid the price. Now relax and try and enjoy life.
  15. Congradulations Bill and thank you for your service.
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