ptsd Financial Hardship Claim Question

[Ester]

Im new here to Hadit. Im was living in Jacksonville NC until I lost my home and then was evicted from my apartment because my job would not let me return until my panic attacks are more under control. So i filed for financial hardship and they began expediting my claim with Winston-Salem RO. Being that me and my daughter became homeless they moved my claim to Columbia SC RO bc I changed my address slowing my claim but as soon as it was received it went straigt to decision because my claim was ready to rate before RO sent it Columbia RO. I filed my claim n 11/21/2010 and on 04/20/2011 it went into decision phase.... My question is since my claim is flagged for hardship, about how long at the Columbia RO will my claim take to be done. Is it still the average 16-28 days for hardship claims? I just have been through so much and Im just ready for this to be over so i can have a little peace. I was fortunate enough to qualify for federal funding to receive Neurospychiatric testing in which he dx me with chronic PTSD/ depressive disorder NOS with a GAF score of 40....Basically he said in his report due to expericing 4 year of child molestation and natural diaasters( tornadoes where 2 of our Marines where struck my lightning 1 being medically discharged with a pacemaker) during pre deployment training (when my systoms began to manifest) He also stated that it i very likely that issues from my childhood may also be affecting my now as well. Does this give my direct service connect or will this be aggravated connection... I was dx in service 2006 with depression but not PTSD by the military doctors but was dx with PTSD by military one source while in service because i no longer trusted my command or the militry doctors who had been feeding me medicine that still wasnt helping my depression.... BTW I was OTH discharge due to misconduct... VA did a character of discharge and considered me honorable for VA purposes... I have a buddy statement as well as newspaper articles explaining how our unit saved Antebury Indiana. After 3 weeks of running from tornadoes and a command that didnt care about the life of our Marine. What are your thought, I know I have said alot but it helps sometimes by getting it off your chest...

Ester Lawson

OEF 2nd MLG

USMC

[Capt.]

Hello Ester and welcome to the family at Hadit. After reading your post I did not see that you mentioned if you have a representative , VSO or lawyer to help you. It is always important to have someone that is qualified to help you thru this process. Yes you will get much needed support and help here but having a Rep is very advisable.

I don't know if anyone has an answer for the hardship phase of the decision process and I don't know who gave you information of 16-28 days , but it may take some time so please be patient. I am not sure of the statement ", I am in the decision phase" and who might have said or told you this. The address change can cause a problem but staying in touch with them and having your Vet rep take alot of the load off will help you. I would try at the very least to talk to your State Veteran Service Organization at the VAMC or Clinic and try to check into a pension while your claim is going. I think it may take some time but not more than 4-6 months and if you are not working then you will at least have something possibly coming in. If you are not SC then the pension from VA may at least start something coming in while you wait for an award or increase in benefits.

I hope there are others that will offer some help. Once again welcome and above all remember , NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

[Ester]

Thank Capt Contaminate, I am working with the VSO here in SC now. My claim had been into the deveolpment phase for 6 months until I was able to get in touch with a couselor who contacted Columbia regional office and that same day, my claim went into decision on ebenifits. I had read about non service connect pensions or something like that but I really dont know where to go to do that and if I do this, will it slow down mt claim process? Also to mention, I had been working for about a year after I got out. Job to job. Stressed and panic attacks because of PTSD. Well I worked driving kids to school and I had a panic attack while driving and I almost hit a police officer crossing guard. My job told me I couldnt come back until i am fully evaulated. Thats been since January the 12 and I lost everything in the process. My job wrote a letter to my doctor which basically is the VA expaining all the things that they noticed about me and that they were concerned and that they felt it would not be safe for me to return to work without a full evualations basically my c&p. Does this help my chances of getting a higher rating from VA now. Va gave me a GAF score of 58 but I had a imo done on my own which he diagnosed me with chronic PTSD and depressive NOS with a GAF score of 40. I have an appointment for the first time here in SC because I am having issues with my hair falling out again. Im a woman and i tired of shaving my hair off every 6 months bc of my anxiety... I am soooo soooo ready for this to be over and possibly be somewhat normal like I used to be...I dont wish this on anyone.

[Commander Bob]

Im new here to Hadit. Im was living in Jacksonville NC until I lost my home and then was evicted from my apartment because my job would not let me return until my panic attacks are more under control. So i filed for financial hardship and they began expediting my claim with Winston-Salem RO. Being that me and my daughter became homeless they moved my claim to Columbia SC RO bc I changed my address slowing my claim but as soon as it was received it went straigt to decision because my claim was ready to rate before RO sent it Columbia RO. I filed my claim n 11/21/2010 and on 04/20/2011 it went into decision phase.... My question is since my claim is flagged for hardship, about how long at the Columbia RO will my claim take to be done. Is it still the average 16-28 days for hardship claims? I just have been through so much and Im just ready for this to be over so i can have a little peace. I was fortunate enough to qualify for federal funding to receive Neurospychiatric testing in which he dx me with chronic PTSD/ depressive disorder NOS with a GAF score of 40....Basically he said in his report due to expericing 4 year of child molestation and natural diaasters( tornadoes where 2 of our Marines where struck my lightning 1 being medically discharged with a pacemaker) during pre deployment training (when my systoms began to manifest) He also stated that it i very likely that issues from my childhood may also be affecting my now as well. Does this give my direct service connect or will this be aggravated connection... I was dx in service 2006 with depression but not PTSD by the military doctors but was dx with PTSD by military one source while in service because i no longer trusted my command or the militry doctors who had been feeding me medicine that still wasnt helping my depression.... BTW I was OTH discharge due to misconduct... VA did a character of discharge and considered me honorable for VA purposes... I have a buddy statement as well as newspaper articles explaining how our unit saved Antebury Indiana. After 3 weeks of running from tornadoes and a command that didnt care about the life of our Marine. What are your thought, I know I have said alot but it helps sometimes by getting it off your chest...

Ester Lawson

OEF 2nd MLG

USMC

My most positive thoughts are with you, 'Ester'.

[Ester]

Update: I called today and the 1800 said that my claim has gone to notification status as of 4/26... It not over with yet but I must say that I am very pleased with the Columbia SC RO. I initially filed my claim at Winston Salem RO on 10/27/10... 1/21/11 I filed for finalcial hardship due to my job putting me on sick leave until my panic attack were more stable. I have been out of work since 1/12/11. Received C&P exams on 2/24/11.. Result back 3/25/10... Claim was sent to Columbia RO and received 4/11/11halting my claim process. They moved my claim beucase I was now homeless and had to move to South Carolina with family. I got in touch with the homeless coordinator here in SC. She contact so one she knew at the Columbia RO on 4/20/11 to inform them of my situation and that my claim had been moved without being rated even though it was a fully developed claim. My claim went to decision phase the same day. I went to my appointment 4/25 due to my hair falling out because of anxiety from my PTSD and my MD is refering me to a dermatologist. I also met with my homeless counselor that same day to apply for the VA HUD VASH Program. She made a call to inquire about my claim and to inform them that I no longer have suitable housing. The next day 4/26/11 my claim is now in notification and awaiting to be input.

Today marks my 6 month mark of me filing my claim which if it had not been for a fellow veteran encouraging me to get help, I would have never done it and I would probably still be jobless and homeless with no hope so thank you guys for the incouargement to get me this far! Inspite of my situation, had i not had a hardship, this claim would probably be still in the development phase I bet. I went from being a OTH discharge for Misconduct to Honorable for VA purposes to now being in the final stages of this process! I not going to lie and say I dont want 100% PT but I will be happy for whatever I get because I am TIRED! Now the hardest part, waiting to find out the verdit! I will post as soon as I find out more. Thanks veterans for your help and guidance!

Ester Lawson

Chronic PTSD

Hip flexor injury

TMJ (jaw disorder due to wisdom teeth and ptsd)

Boot stress

[Commander Bob]

I hope things are getting better for you, Ester.

Any word from the VA yet?

[broncovet]

Ester..

I will mention something that may help. In a nutshell, apply for NSC Pension. This is a needs based program, and its approval is almost automatic if 1) you are a "wartime" Veteran, and it sounds like you are and 2) You have little or no income. You dont have to prove service connection..and probably dont need a c and P exam. NSC Pension, with one dependent, is something like about $1000 per month. No you wont get rich with that, but it probably will keep a roof over your head. You can also ask for social security disability.

In a discussion with a person who trains rating specialists, as long as you could document "need" and wartime service, approval for NSC Pension was almost automatic.

If you have not gotten the results you need, ask for pension. It wont hurt your chances at PTSD or other VA benefits, as many Vets, like myself, qualify for both Pension and SC compensation. Your VSO should have told you this, but many do not tell Vets about Pension.