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Ptsd Comp / Pen

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Manchued

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I went in for my PTSD exam today. I explained my primary stressor was my roommate killing himself, and from being deployed as an infantryman (although I have no CIB, PH, ETC). When discussing my friend I became very emotional and began crying (which I have never done, although this is the first time I have really discussed what happened). He asked me the name of my friend and when he died. He told me he thinks I meet the criteria for having PTSD, and then immediately gave me paperwork about getting help at the VA, and then called me a few minutes after the meeting and said he had given my name to some kind of info session at the VA hospital for PTSD in a few weeks. The guy did not seen hostile and acted very sympathetic, which makes me optimistic. I was very embarrassed that I was crying like a girl.

I have been formally diagnosed with ADD and OCD by the VA and am being medicated. I have no prior diagnosis of PTSD from the military or the VA, as I presumed only those with direct combat trauma are eligible. I also have been diagnosed with ED, and received a bunch of tests and exams before filing a claim. I also saw a C&P guy about that presuming it was related to emotional issues (the VA has been giving me Viagra).

Do you think my odds are looking good?

My VA advocate filed the claim for PTSD under the "fear of hostile action etc" , which I was unaware of as I really am more concerned about the guilt from letting my friend take his life.

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What little I do know, I would say your odds sound good for (I would guess) 50%-70%. Please remember, I'm just guessing after reading up on the C & P exam worksheets and criteria. Good luck to you. I too thought it was only for Combat Action veterans. I was mortuary affairs and had a couple close calls, but never (thank God) fired a shot in anger.

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i think he may have done so because combat related stuff is more likely to be approved than CONUS stuff no matter how horrific.  the new PTSD regs now allow for "fear of hostile action".  you dont need a CIB, CAR, etc to get PTSD, combat does have that affect on most but its not limited to combat.

I would look at getting a IME from a psych to help bolster your claim.

Whether from your friends suicide (im sorry to hear that brother) or from your deployment, the VA has to make the determination of what was the stressor, both of which happened in service.  you cant be rated for PTSD and OCD, etc but your PTSD could be making it worse, etc you can only be rated for one mental illness (an archaic holdover from a lack of understanding of mental illness).

I would gather all your exam notes from teh VA and civilian docs as well as write up sworn declarations from yourself, family, friends etc that state how you act (dont have them diagnose you or you diagnose yourself just talk about symptoms and HOW IT AFFECTS YOUR LIFE AND HOW IT IS NOT THE SAME ANYMORE). 

I can stress an IME enough.  go to the website in my signature line for the evidence book, its free for everyone, all of them are.it will go over how to gather and submit evidence.

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