Kim82

I have never used that before but I have used and continue to use welbutrin and for me it works ok and the side effects are tolerable. It's going to be a trial and error to find something that works for you. Hope you find something that works.

Dang I guess it's a lil late now huh? Dang that would have been so much easier on me too. Oh well the VA will figure out what I am asking for. I hope lol. Carlie thanks for the info.

Oh well too late for that I already went through the whole process....guess they will let me know if they need anything else from me.

So I was going to use a VSO to file my second claim but the guy here never answers his phone and so I just decided to go at it on my own again. I figured since I did my first claim and it came with a favorable result there would be no harm in doing it again on my own. So I went onto the VONAPP system this morning and filled it out and submitted now I sit and wait for another year or so and go to more C&P exams but that is ok with me as long as everything is finally on record and addressed accordingly. I fully expect to be waiting at least a year for this claim to go through all the motions and what not and it's ok now because I can finally use the VOC Rehab program and since I am already over 50% I won't have to worry about my health care so I guess it will be a lil less stressfull this time around. Once again if it were not for all of the combined wealth of information on this site I would be clueless. So thank all of you for your time and information. I will update as things progress.

You have summed it up pretty well. That is what happens to me. I get very sick start sweating, ears ringing, head spinning, all of the color drains from my face and after I feel like I am about to vomit I pass out. So now I am not able to be in the heat nor can I stand for more than 20 mins at a time without getting sick. It really sucks but I am glad the VA has recognized that it's a real issue.

Carlie, I will be doing that next week this week I am still trying to recover from my surgery. I need to call and make an apt with my VSO to get that done.

Carlie thank you for your advice, I know I still have a ways to go to get everything listed as being perm but for now I am done fighting until something changes that is. I am just glad I don't have to keep checking ebenefits to see if they decided my claim or keep checking my bank account for the money. It's been one heck of a year that is for sure, and I know there are a lot of people on this site that have been waiting many years longer than I have.

I checked this morning and they sent out my retro check via the mail so it should be here by Wednesday, they said they didn't have my bank info but that is bs because I had it in there with my claim so I don't know, I also had to fill out the paperwork for my husband and kids since they only added one of my children on as my Dependant so yeah will see how long that takes to add on. Either way I am happy that this chapter is finally closed and I don't have to fight with the VA anymore. Now I just worry about taking care of myself and my family and hope that everything turns out alright in the end.

Well I never really thought about trying to get 100% I figured it was a good idea to claim all of the things that are wrong with me since Iraq. That way everything was SC. I will have to sit down and talk to my OIF Phsychiatrist and see what she thinks. I know that my PTSD makes it very hard for me to work with the general public I don't have a filter anymore so I pretty much just say what comes to my mind so it usually ends up bad when I have an annoying customer ask me stupid questions. I am lucky that they have not fired me yet. My boss knows of my issues and I think that is why they work with me but still I would like to do something that does not have me dealing with the public something in a back office or something would be fine im sure. Just not sure how much longer I can continue to do the job I do now. Thank you for the input though I am new to all of this stuff so of course you guys would have a better idea of how to go about things. So thanks.

Ugh I had a whole thing typed out and the computer decided to delete everything, so I will do this again. Claim filed May 12 2010 Did all of my C&P exams in Aug of 2010 waited 8 months for them to finally make a decision. On Wednesday May 18th I checked ebenefits and my claim was closed, went and check the letter generator and found that I was 60% disabled but did not know the break down until now. On Thursday May 19th I had the UPPP surgery for my sleep apnea. On Saturday May 21st I was released from the VA hospital and came back home to Vegas (Surgery was in cali) checked the mail when I got home and found a nice fat white envelope. This is how I was rated: PTSD 50% Asthma 10% Vasovagal Syncope 10% Total combined rating of 60% with an effective date of May 12 2010 The letter stated that I would receive my back pay within 15 days not sure when the 15 days start but I haven't gotten anything yet. I check everyday hoping that it will be in there but as of yet nothing has changed. I have seen several ppl got the back pay before the letter so it's kinda odd that I have the letter but no back pay. I also need to file a second claim for Sleep Apnea, Migraines, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, and Allergic Rhinitis. What is the easiest way to file this claim? The first claim I did on my own with no VSO I did add a VSO at the beginning of the year but he was not very helpful with anything so I don't think I want to use him for my next claim. Is there a way to get them to add those conditions to my first claim or is it something that has be started from the beginning again? I also noticed in the letter it says "Since there is a likelihood of improvement, the assigned evaluation is not considered permanent and is subject to a future review examination" Now I don't mind having to be seen again but it's not like PTSD is something that goes away it's going to be with me the rest of my life so how can they say it's not permanent? So then I am wondering how often will they re evaluate and after how many years is it considered permanent? I still go and see the VA Therapist at the vet center every two weeks, I still see the VA Physchiatrist for my meds and I do take them. I am doing everything the VA wants me to and yet I have not noticed much difference with my symptoms.

Betta, I am employed right now but I don't know for how much longer. I have had to take a lot of time off of work for my VA dr appointments and im sure they are tired of it. So I was actually thinking about going and doing the vocational rehab and maybe getting into another more lucrative field one that doesn't work with the general public would be preferred.

Well if the VA rates you the way they should then you would be at 70% Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting); inability to establish and maintain effective relationships ...................................... 70% http://www.vva.org/ptsd_levels.html

The letter I read was on ebenefits I am in california for my sleep apnea surgery so no clue what's in the mail. I did set up direct deposit so hopefully it will be there soon. I am less than 24 hrs post op right now and feel like poop so sorry if my answers are short.

I was at 0 this was my first claim

Its going to be a year worth of back pay. No idea when I will get it though.