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I have filed a NOD with a DRO review request. My question is, when the NOD eventually gets to the DRO for review, will he/ she pull up to date V.A. Progress Notes from my Therapist and Psychiatrist showing my continued treatment for inclusion in the decision making process ?

Having been through this I am a believer in the raters. Based on my C&P exam debacle, it was evident the rater took all the other evidence and made the obvious decision. Like john999 said, getting SC'd is the big one. Now my treatment and meds are paid for, which his what I wanted. Hopefully getting it bumped up is in progress. Hang in there and welcome home.

I was just thinking, does it matter what they titled the NOD at the VARO ? When they read it they will see it is for PTSD.

I sent an IRIS request and am now waiting. I will post the reply. Freaking amazing, Dental Health instead of Mental Health...........

I called the St. Petersburg VARO inquiring into my retro CRSC and while I was at it I asked the lady to check the status of my NOD. She looked it up, read me the mandatory statement then told me that my NOD for rating increase for Dental/ Oral was in progress. I said WHOA, JUST MINUTE., if you read it, I filed for PTSD rating increase - MENTAL, NOT DENTAL. She kind of went WOW also and went about writing a note to get it corrected. I stayed on line until she told me the email had gone, then said to check in about 3 weeks to make sure. I can see how it would have played out. I get a SOC stating my NOD is declined as I have no active DENTAL claim and I have to start over. CHECK YOUR CLAIMS PEOPLE ! I'm starting to see some of the horror stories I have read about.

I tried to log into IRIS and got stuck at my date of birth. I know when I was born, but it seems IRIS does not. Any ideas how to fix it so I can use the system ?

Thanks to my DAV Rep and all the posts on this site, I mailed my NOD off. Any SWAG's on a favorable outcome ? ***NOTICE OF DISAGREEMENT*** Consideration by a Decision Review Officer is requested I received a rating decision dated April 15, 2011. I disagree with the 30% award for PTSD and am requesting the maximum allowed by law. Please consider this letter to be an official "Notice of Disagreement" (NOD) Please refer to new evidence enclosed; 1. Attached letter and V.A. Progress Notes from Dr. **** and Dr. **** pertaining to current impact of my PTSD and related symptoms on my Social and Occupational functioning. 2. Attached letter from *****, Supervisor and ****, Regional Program Manager regarding accommodations made for me at my place of employment due to the current impact of my PTSD and related symptoms on my Occupational functioning. 3. Attached letter from *****, Step-Daughter, relating to the current impact of my PTSD and related symptoms on my Social functioning. Considering the attachments and with review of my V.A. Progress Notes, it appears that I have not been evaluated properly. With my reduced reliability and productivity due to depression, anxiety, frequent panic attacks, difficulty in understanding complex commands, impairment of short and long term memory, disturbances in motivation and mood and difficulty in maintaining effective work and social relationships, I am walking billboard for severe PTSD.

SO what I am getting from this is that you do need to attach V.A. psych and therapists notes to the DRO review that have been entered since the decision as it can not be counted on the DRO to bother to read the computer file ?

The C&P was based on the reports from a V.A. contract shrink and therapist I was seeing. I since have been "re-called" to the V.A. system in which my Therapist and shrink have seemed to understand more fully of how I my PTSD is effecting my daily life. I have letters from my V.A. Therapist (PHd) and my V.A. Psychiatrist (been seeing them about a year now) and letters from my Employer (who for the grace of God are veteran friendly) and my daughter. DO I staple each letter to a Statement in Support of Claim Form or just attach them to the one I address my Notice of Disagreement and DRO De Novo Review Request on ? This look OK ? ***NOTICE OF DISAGREEMENT*** I received a rating decision dated April 15, 2011. I disagree with the 30% award for PTSD and am requesting the maximum allowed by law. Please consider this letter to be an official “Notice of Disagreement” (NOD) Chronic Fatigue (#43) - This symptom/condition was caused or intensified by medication currently prescribed for a service connected disability. (PTSD). Also this is a secondary symptom of service connected PTSD. Nightmares (#40) - Related to PTSD award. Compulsive behaviors are related to PTSD and should be considered in the overall evaluation of PTSD. I feel this was not evaluated and diagnosed as it should have been. Nightmares have increased in severity in spite of medication. Anxiety (#25) - Related to PTSD. It was stated in 1st award letter (October 9, 2009) that compulsive behaviors are related to PTSD and should be considered in the overall evaluation of PTSD. I feel this was not evaluated and diagnosed as it should have been. Depression (#45) - Related to PTSD/Sleep Disorder which was later awarded. It was stated in 1st award letter (October 9, 2009) that this condition was related to PTSD and should be considered in the overall evaluation of PTSD. I feel this was not evaluated and diagnosed as it should have been. Memory Loss with confusion (#12) - I disagree with the assessment of the severity of this condition. Also, this condition is aggravated by the medications prescribed for PTSD. g. Disturbances of motivation and mood that affect daily living. h. Inability to establish and maintain effective work and social relationships. Letters supporting my disagreement are included from Dr. .... V.A. Mental Health Counsleor, Dr. ...... V.A. Staff Psychiatrist, ........... and ...... Employer Regional Manager and Supervisor, and ................ (Step-Daughter).

I fugured I'd better start a new topic than tag onto the last one. I'm getting confused, so here is my situation. I received a 30% s/c PTSD rating in April 2011. I have new evidence that the rating should be at a higher level What should I file ?

Thanks John. Based on all I have seen on this website and one other, I am requesting a DRO de novo review. I was just wondering about the inclusion of the hard copy notes and test results. I thought I had read a "horror" story in which the computer file was not even utilized during a decision making process.

I recently took and was debriefed on my MMPI - sounds like I'm off the chain based what my Therapist informed me. She actually said that based on my extremly poor prognosis for rehabilitation (PTSD) she could cut me loose , but came right back with a reassurance that she will not.. My question is, as this information and the backing of my Psychiatrist are all on the V.A. data base. I should go ahead and get copies under the FOIA and include them with my NOD ? (VARO reveiw)

Figured I'd keep this up so others may benefit. I met with my V.A. Therapist (Doctor of Psychology) yesterday in which a half hour appointment lasted for over 1.5 hours (last paitient of the day). The building was dark and closed when she unlocked the door to let me out. She has been the most helpful person of all the helpful people I have run across since I got into the "system". When the appointment started I had forgotten that it was to review the results of my MMPI. I was pretty wrapped up in other events with my life. I had previously contacted her telling her I intended to file a NOD on my rating and she stated that she is working on a letter. She stated that I was pretty well low balled by the C&P examiner (this is the one that she stated before "does that to all the vets and is pretty well known for his actions) and would do what she needed to do to assist me. SO, there is one more for jusitification. My V.A. Psychiatrist will do the same as we have previously spoken of the outcome of the rating board and the negative inpiut from the C&P examiner that got me the 30%. Don't get me wrong, 30% is fine, I want the "system" to pay for my meds and my treatment. I'm just not going to give up and go away. The Thereapist review indicated by the MMPI I was off the chain and the prognosis for succesful treatment was slim to none. She also said that based on that prognosis she could cut me loose if whe wanted, but she will not do that. I guess I'm rambeling now, I will keep my progress updated on this site. Thanks everyone for all the help. [url=http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.carlandnansgraphics.com/catalog/1st_cavalry_artillery.png&imgrefurl=http://www.carlandnansgraphics.com/servlet/the-185/United-States-Army,-1st/Detail&usg=__j0gs_L840a_wuVcTLMY6Opb7CpM=&h=284&w=300&sz=32&hl=en&start=40&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=usxgBUT6HWSCVM:&tbnh=110&tbnw=116&prev=/search%3Fq%3D1st%2Bcav%2Bartillery%26start%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1262%26bih%3D831%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26tbm%3Disch&ei=NsEJTrDKFs2htwfXwNSLAQ]

Heck, that isn't much, along with the increase in my water bill, gas, electric, telephone, kid's tuition, cost of food, clothes, insurance, home maintenance...glad I can pay the bills !! is it 2012 yet ??

Great article. I wonder how many of the policeman on the force are veteran's ? combat veteran's ? probably not many

With what is happening and has been happening in our country - ALL State and Federal Bonuses should be frozen. Like it was stated though - FAT CHANCE. Look at what the Wall Streeters did after the market tanked and wiped out investors....

I just want to thank everyone for their input. I got my rating back at 30% S/C PTSD. I have filed for CRSC and also put uin a NOD to try to get it increased. God Bless all of you, you have been a great help.

Thanks for the help. You all have ben great with the advice. I will take it and go for it. I will also post the results. Ya'll have a Happy 4th and God Bless America !

I am not requesting 50%, I just feel that that is where it should be, but others are to be the judge of that. The letters do attest to my life as it is now. I guess all I can do is try.

I received an initial S/C PTSD rating of 30%. I am filing a NOD (increase to 50%) and based on advice have notarized letters from my employer (2 bosses) regarding the accomodation given to me allowing for things related to my PTSD. I have a letter from a 'Nam buddy attesting to my anger issues and other things. I also have notarized letters from 2 of my step-daughters regarding the negative impact my PTSD has on my family. I have informed my V.A. Psych and Therapist and asked if they could help by writing letters regarding the level of my PTSD and am waiting for those. Can any one who's been there guess at an outcome ?

I am in the process of filing a NOD for a higher PTSD rating. I am lucky enough to have an employer who supports veterans and is writing a letter of accomodation for me on the agencies letterhead. I'm probably just getting anal, but who puts my "name, ssn#, V.A. claim#" at the top as I have been reading about; me or the employer ?

I am waiting for a couple of letters from family and my V,.A. PSychand Therapist before I do. ISn't that better to include supplemental statements ?

I think I get it now. I have asked my VA Therapist (Phd) and Psychiatrist for the letters that you and others talked about. I am trying to get letters from people who know me know, but thats not easy becasue I hardly know anybody except fro my wife and 2 stepchildren.

I received my initial disability rating for PTSD related to combat in Vietnam at 30%. I do not agree with the rating and feel it should be 50%. I was informed by the DAV rep that I need to get letters from people who can describe the change in me and how my life is today. Problem is, I burned all my bridges like a lot of us did when we got back and know of no one who can write about how I was before nam. I can get statements from those that know me who knew me before I went to the VA and started therapy. Will that suffice ? My VA Psychiatrist was willing to help me and asked me if there was any documents I needed and of course I told him I don't know. Anyone been through this process before with some advice ?

[ The Army did not have anything except the CIB to indicate you had been in combat, unless of course you got a personal decoration. I'm sure there are thousands who saw the sh.. but can only rely on their memoriess an any after action reports/ orders/ buddy letters to connect the dots...oh well- like we said before, life is a b... and then you die. it might not be the SOB's fault regarding the CAR. SMC didnt start to even award CARs until 1969. If you file a DD 149 they might put one on a DD 215 for you. Here is the criteria: http://www.leatherne....php/t-506.html Here is the DD 149: you could cross out the injustice part and just state you feel your Military records warrant receipt of the CAR. I ave been meaning to apply fopr this posthumous CAR for my husband but hesitate to do that until my claims are resolved in case they need his whole Mil file. He was USMC Vietnam 65-66,prior to CAR Ribbons were awarded. (Ist AMphibious Tracter Battalion Danang)