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.

Its so true my breathing is all sorts of messed up now.

Go to ebenefits.VA.gov and register there they will provide her with a log in through the mail I believe.

So I went on to Ebenefits last night and noticed that my claim had gone from decision to closed, never even touched notification phase. So I went to check the letter generator and sure enough there was everything I needed to know. I finally have my rating and I am so over the moon right now. I don't know how the percentages breaks down because I claimed a few things but overall I got 60%, I will be filling a second claim to address my sleep apnea, migraines, hearing loss and tinnitus in the near future. I really can't even tell you how much help the people on this site have been for me, so thank you for everything! On another note I am going in today to have the UPPP surgery and also having a polyp removed from my left sinus. And then they said something about resizing my tongue not sure what that means but ok. I am pretty sure I will be pretty crappy for a while and may not have the chance to get on here while I am recovering, but I just wanted to give you all an update.

Kevin check your Private Messages I sent you some info.

So it has been a while since I have been on here I have be super busy with work, life and everything else in between. I called the Reno VA yesterday and I was informed that they had finally made a decision on my claim but could not tell me what it was over the phone and that I would have something in the mail in the next 15 days or so. Yay for that...boo for not knowing what I am looking forward to. Other than that I have been going through different tests and trying to figure out everything wrong with me. I had a sleep study done and it was found that I have Mixed Sleep apnea and I am now using the CPAP machine, not the most comfortable thing in the world but it's better than nothing I guess. I will also be going to the Loma Linda VA next week to have the UPPP procedure done I am not looking forward to that at all I hate surgery and I am a big baby when It comes to pain, also they said that the chances of the surgery getting rid of my sleep apnea were about 20% so joy. I am now working on getting all of my medical records together to submit for my second claim for Migraines, Sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, Tinitus, and hearing loss. I feel as if I am falling apart and I have not even hit 30 yet. It's kind of depressing to know that this is what I have to look forward to as I get older and who knows what else could be wrong with me. It sucks mostly because when I joined the Army I was in the best shape of my life and perfect health and now it's like im 60 years old and have all of these different issues. I am still seeing the VA phsychiatrist and the Vet Center therapist still taking my meds, haven't really seen much improvement with my PTSD but there has been a little so guess it's not entirely a waste. Anyhow I just wanted to update you all. I have been continuing to read the forums and you guys have helped me with so much, so thank you for all of your insight and information.

Wanted to add that I am still serving in the Reserves and have about 3 years left out of my 8 year commitment. I am also going through a MEB for all of this and will probably be medically retired or boarded out of the military. I recently was promoted to E4 so at least I have something to show for my 5 years of service. I don't want to be an NCO anyhow too much responsibility and I don't want to have to deal with young privates and try to lead them, I am probably not the best person for that right now anyhow. Another thing I wanted to add that has been bugging the crap out of me is my short term memory. It has been getting so bad to the point where I will think of a website I want to go to and once I click on the address bar to type in the link I totally forget what site I was going to go to. It is driving me insane!!! I can't take it anymore I have to bookmark just about everything so I can find my way to where ever it is I need to go. Like this site If it was not saved in my favorites I would not remember how to get back here. This crap is going to cause me to pull my hair out from going crazy trying to remember things...anyone else have this same issue?

Thank you Joe, I am still dealing with the aftermath of all of this. I am in therapy now and on welbutrin and ambien. I have tried several other antidepressants that really made things worse for me so I am hoping that the welbutrin works for me. I need something to take this edge off. I have also aquired a service dog through a non profit here in Vegas and he has been a big help to me with getting me out of the house and things like that. Before I could sit inside all day and night and not go outside. I feel safe away from everyone, but being that Charlie is a dog and needs to be walked and use the bathroom I don't really have a choice so it's a good thing. I have also been diagnosed as being Vitamin D defficient and that is attributed to the PTSD, don't get enough sun I guess. I will be on a vit d suppliment for that as well. Pretty soon I am going to be like my dad whos a Vietnam Vet taking a bunch of pills everyday just to survive. And that is what I think about a lot, what am I going to be like 30 years from now? Am I going to be better or am I going to be worse? It feels like I am just falling apart mentally and physically most days. I was also told after and MRI that I have Sinusitis with polyps oh joy something else to add to my already long list of ailments. I haven't even reached my 30th bday yet I feel about 70. As I am sure many of you can relate. Anyhow enough of my rambling lol. Have a good one.

Check out Reno's 62.5% over 125 Days total of 4375 that are still pending.

Carlie thank you for the advice, I will for sure talk to my doctor about that and see what she thinks. Sometimes everything just becomes too much for me to handle here and as bad as I have wanted to I have no quit because I need the income to support my kids so yeah I can't put us in that position. But we will see what the Dr says and if she says I shouldn't work then I will be looking for advice on what the next move should be. On another note I have had this uncontrollable twitching in both of my thumbs, anyone have any idea what that could be from?

I am going to try to reply to everyone hopefully I can remember everything that you asked. First yes I do work full time but it has put a big strain on me keeping my job, I am hardly hanging on right now. I have gotten reprimanded many times by my bosses for not using the right language with my employees or just being down right mean to them. I can't help that though it's a compulsive thing I don't even think about it and by the time all is said and done it's too late. So yeah I am thinking about just quitting my job because it's causing me too much stress on top of all the other crap that I am trying to deal with. Second I do see a therapist about once a month at the vet center and I do see a shrink at the VA for all my prescription meds. Right now they have me on Welbutrin and Ambien. And it seems to have helped a little. I have gone through my fair share of trials on different meds though and that was not fun at all. First one was trazadone oh god that stuff was aweful, then they put me on topamax it didn't do anything for my headaches that I get every day and it made me feel awful so stopped taking that, then they tried to give me Seroquel OMG that stuff made me like a damn zombie holy crap I couldn't function on that stuff. Called my Dr and I told her "look lady I am not going to be your guiny pig I will do my own research and I will pick something that I think will work for me" she said ok so I went online did some research and I came accross Welbutrin it has minimal side effects which is good cause I hate taking drugs that have worse side effects than the original problem you are trying to treat. And one of the side effects is weight loss and I am not going to lie I look forward to that side effect also the increased sexual arrousal I need that as well since my sex life is in the toilet, and the last one that stood out to me was the extra energy it gives you I need all the energy I can get since I am also mildly anemic and pretty vitamin D defficient so I am ok with that side effect. They are putting me on some Vitamin D suppliments to get my body somewhat back to normal but of course that is one of the side effect of PTSD I never go outside so of course I don't get enough sun to give my body what it needs....oops. Third, Yes I have other injuries from Iraq that I have claimed and some that I still need to claim. I did claim my asthma that was a result of an uper respiratory infection that I got in basic training from when they smoked the dog crap out of us in the rain and forced us to stay in soaking wet acus all day. I was sicker than a dog went to sick call and got put on all these meds and went back and kept training, they had put me on a 5 day profile but I said no way was I going to get recycled so I sucked it up and probably made my situation worse. Anyhow after being in Iraq my asthma did get worse and I have also been diagnosed with Sinusitis with a polyp. Once again was treated for that in basic and it's been worse since coming back from Iraq. I do have tinitis as well and it drives me absolutly insane some times it's so loud that it actually hurts my ear drums. I have yet to claim that. Once this claim is done I will be going to my VSO and claiming everything else. Such as tinitis, Sinusitis with polyp, migraines, and possible TBI I am waiting for them to schedule me for the nueropsyc exam so we will see what that shows. Luckily I have all my medical records from basic from when I was sick and everything so they can't say that I didn't get it from being in. And Iraq did make everything with my respiratory system way worse. I still serve in the Army Reserve and it's so bad that I can not run anymore I will pass out from lack of oxygen. Luckily I do have a permanent profile for that and so I can do the walk for my PT test. Other than that I think I covered everything at least I hope I did. I tried my best to fill you all in if you have any other questions please feel free to ask. Also my claim is currently in the decision phase so we will see how much longer until I get a rating, I really hope I don't have to apeal it though. Im tired of fighting the system already and it's only been about a year. I can't imagine what the rest of you have to go through when you have been fighting them for 10+ years, hats off to you guys for sticking with it and not giving up.