kkp

I can certainly appreciate this thread. Its hard to admit you have ptsd for most of us. After leaving the service, I have found myself in a leadership position most of my working years. But at night while sleeping, it seemed the dead just wouldn't stay dead. After an accident forced me to cease working, It got much worse. In all the years I had never discussed my dreams, but after becoming idle they start happening in the day time also. A friend who I grew up with and was in the service the same years I was talked me into going to the vet center. On my first visit I was diagnosed with ptsd. This was my first association with this word. I went home and punched ptsd up on my computer. I didn't read much until I knew it was a wrong diagnosis. I continued to go to the center weekly for a couple of months. on what I decided would be my last visit, I sat down with my counselor and told him I wouldn't be coming back. I told him the things that had happened to me in the service had nothing to do with my problems. He said I would like to tell you about an observation I made of you today. I said ok, tell me. He said while I was in the lobby to get my appointment ahead of you ,I notice you opened the door for a fellow vet. He ask me why did I do that. I told him the man was in a wheel chair. Both legs were amputated above the knees, and I was just being courteous. He said was it because of his disability, and I said yes. His response has me weeping as I write this,. He said the only difference between him and you is you can see his disability, but you can't see yours. I have always been the macho type, but I busted out in tears, and orally wept for at least half an hour. Our session lasted an hour and a half. Before I left He filled out a disability form for Ptsd. I suppose He thought I wouldn't take it to a vet rep so he called a friend of his who worked for the American legion who worked near by. They filled out my claim for me on the spot and filed it. In less than three months I was granted 50% on ptsd. What he didn't know, but probably sense was I never plan to see another sun set. God bless all those young faces returning from todays war.

In the early 60s the 101st had there jump school at Ft. Campbell, and the 82nd had their's at at Bragg' Not long after I finished jump school I came home on leave. My best friend was in the Marines, but we always tried to coordinate our leaves. We live in a small town of about 5000 people. We were both in our civvies walking down the street. We seen a Paratrooper coming towards us. as he got closer I noticed his all American shoulder patch, and then as he got even closer I couldn't believe my eyes. He had buck sergeant stripes on his sleeve, and Major leaves on his collar. My friend and I just stared at each other not believing what we were looking at. I vaguely knew this guy and knew we joined around the same time. My buddy grinned at me and said thank God, hes not a Marine so hes all yours. Well he was out of uniform so it was every soldiers duty to correct it. I ask him what the hell he thought he was doing dressed like that. The dummy looked me right in the eyes and told me he was a Sargent Major. Its really funny looking back. I told him He was out of uniform and correct his dress or I would. If you can believe this, he pulled out a Tom Mix pocket knife. That's right a Tom Mix pocket knife, Which I promptly took from him and set on his chest and cut off his strips and then removed his Major cluster. By this time he was filthy so that made him still out of uniform, so I took his shirt and tie and boots. By then he looked exactly like what he was, a big dumb hillbilly. Just as I was finishing up the chief of Polic drove up and wanted to know what was going on. I told him, and he ask if he could have his cloths. The kid ask him if he could have his close back. ( I'll never forget what the chief's reply was) Hell no , You are just lucky these nice gentleman got to you before I did. I found out later He was retired army. True as God as my witness kkp

Thanks for the advice Guys In the material that was sent to me is His discharge from the Department of the Army and air force National Guard Bureau REPORT OF SEPERATION AND RECORD OF SERVICE IN THE ARMY NATIONAL GAURD OF WV AND AS A RESERVE OF THE ARMY. TYPE OF DISCARGE HONORABLE On line 23 Military qualifications NONE THIS PERIOD LINE 30servive schools attended and dates NONE LINE 31 reason and authority for discharge FAILURE TO CMOPLETE BASIC TRAINING Line 32 remarks NGB FORM 55 MAILED TO EM AT LATT KNOWN ADDRESS LINE 33 signature of person being discharged (FULL NAME) em not available for signature He entered the guard on 17 Dec. 1976-- date of discharge 14 april 1976 He was sent to Fort Dix for basic. He was there for four weeks three of which s spent in a mental hospital. I have no records from the Hospital but will attempt to attain. All I have is 30 pages of treatment records from the Dublin va mhc. The starting paragraph states ------- ------is a 31 year old white male vet admitted to 7/15/ last Friday. the date on this is 11/26 90 The patient admitted to visual and auditory hallucinations and ideas of references. He was hospitalized once at csh milledgeville 3 or four years ago ater violent behavior. Patient ha his first psychotic break in 1977 after one month of basic training and diagnosed schsyopherenia paranoid type. Diagnostic impression schizophrenia, paranoid type, chronic This is only the first paragraph of thirty pages of treatment in 1990. Berta it seems the va tried every way possible to aide him in his claim, and yes he received everything you mentioned in your reply. My Nephew has no mental facilities at all. He thought all the letters he received were good news. And his Family who seen the paper work doesnt seem to have a clue. I am sorry to say, but I think is rep is in the same boat. He file he claim and received a letter to assist within two weeks. He received a letter advising him that a claim had been filed in 1990 and had been denied for lack of evidence, and new evidence would be required to re open the case. I am in the dark as to what new evidence was sent, but the case was reopened. No other evidence was sent so his claim was denied. His rep did then send an nod in feb.07. The new evidence he sent was a copy of their own rules for the disease. I have in my possession a letter from the va saying the case would be turned over to a dro. And to make matters worse the rep checked the box no further evidence. I think you get the picture. I have until Nov. 07 to send in new evidence. Here's My plan 1. try to get his hospital records from Ft. Dix,as know one has to this point. 2. the hospital in Dublin referred to him being admitted to another place in Georgia. I will try to get those records also. 3. I talked to my Sister last evening and she also said he was admitted to a mental hospital while they lived in Indiana in the late 70's., I will attempt to get those. 4. The rep only got the records from the va hospital in Dublin for the year 1990.,He has been treated there to date, so I will get those. 5.After I get all this together I will make him an appointment with a board certified shrink, and attempt to get an IMO creating a nexus to his break down in the Military. That is My plan. please advise if I am leaving anything out as I will only have one shot at this before it would go to the BVA. I may have my dates a little off but I am certain I only have until Nov. 07 to have this filed. I have been lurking, not knowing enough to advise, but reading everything. Thanks to all who have responded and those who will respond, as I know you Guys love a teaser. thanks kkp

I have a difficult question concerning my nephew. To start with I have known him all of his life. and can verify he seemed perfectly normal growing up. He Joined the national guard in wv and was sent to Fort Dix for basic training, This was in 1978. After four weeks he had a break down. Most of us have witnessed this,and I know many of you didn't hold these kind of type of trainees in very high regards, as I myself didn't until recently. To the best of my knowledge he has only had one job since his discharge. He received counseling continuously since getting out and been admitted on several different occupations through the years. By being in the national guard I didn't know if he would qualify for help from the va. Some one took him to the va in Dublin Georgia in 1990.Appearntly He qualified for medical help, And has been receiving medical treatment through the va since. I will add he has been admitted in their mental ward on several occasions. He still lives with his Mother who is getting old and can't last much longer. I have tried to get him to file a claim for disability for five years, and he always promises me he will. I live in wv and it is when I am visiting my sister that he tells me this. two years ago I realized He didn't have the ability to do this on his own so I took him to a s.o. for the American legion. Naturally he didn't think it would do any good to file a claim, but when I showed him his va medical card, an the fact he had been receiving care through the va for the last fifteen years he agreed he should file a claim. As it turned out he had filed a claim in 1990, and his claim was denied. It is really pitiful what happened. He dose not have the mind to do anything on his own,and his family is not very well educated, so they were no help, and his rep is in la la land. I finally ask his sister to fax me everything he had on his case. He had his denial from 1990. and what the va need to proceed with his case. (he doesnt remember filing a claim, nor did he have a rep) When we filed the knew claim the va told him since the claim had been denied he needed new evidence to reopen his claim. The va also sent him a letter in Feb. and April 2007 telling him what he need to send them. I don't know what his rep did with all this info but there's no record of any action on his part. My nephew had neatly stack every piece of paper he had received from the va in a drawer, but didn't have the least idea what they were. I know this is a long post and it still may not make a lot of since, but boy does he need some help. With what I have posted My question is would he qualify for using a Lawyer. I want to help but don't know where to begin. The va wants proof of treatment from his discharge to date. Of course He was treated by the va MHC since 1990. These records are easily attainable. He was institutionalized several times through state run organizations from the date of his discharge to 1990. Its clear to me that his rep is not going to help, and his family is inept, and I am to far away.( by the way My nephew told me recently he would be going to IRAN soon) Like I said earlier, This Vet.(and I mean vet in every since of the word needs help) needs help. any advice would be appreciate, thanks KKP

Berta, Ricky, Pete 53, and others. I talked to my po today. I was given a number to call at the va. suggested I deal directly with the to save time. After going through a lot of recordings I end up at the local ro. I never did claim him as a dependent. At that particular time I was in pretty bad shape. I only recently found out about chapter 35. Keep in mind that I am only 50% but am quite sure of a hundred in the not to distant future. I was told at the ro to go ahead and proceed with the adoption, And as soon as I have anything legal in writing to send it to them and then they would send me directions on how to proceed from their. I then called my lawyer and have an appointment tomorrow. He said we could have something legal from the court within a week to send to the ro. He also said since the adoption was uncontested it should be final before his 18th birth day. He also said in West Virginia adoptions could be done after the age of eighteen. My Grand Son is only a junior so that will give us a year and a half to work my claim. He's a smart kid, and will probably be offered a scholarship in basketball, but the extra help would sure come in handy. Ricky the way the person talked to me at the ro, I am under the impression that the adoption would not have to be final, but in the process. The man I spoke to ask his supervisor before he told me to send anything that proved it was in the process. I can only hope. Thanks to all, as I said I learned about chapter 35 here on Hadit, so please don't quit answering those repiticious questions. Its not old stuff to us news, and remember we are not thinking straight at the start of the va maze. kkp

Here is my Situation. I am not 100% pt at present. Hopefully I will be before to long. I have a seventeen year old Grand son, who I have Legal custody of and have had since he was two years old. I know I would have to legally adult him for him to be qualified for chapter 35 benefits. Here's the situation now . He is a junior in high school now, but he will be 18 years old this July (2007). Must I adult him before he is 18 years old even though he still has another year of high school. I would sure hate to lose out over being stupid. Thanks kkp

Don't expect a HAT HANGER, but IT DOSE WORK

Sorry I was in the process of editing and accidentally post twice

Berta I have been reading about your gripes With your poA for quite a while. At first they were totally FRENCE TO THIS HILLBILLY. The longer I read, the more I learn. I have recently been in the trenches with my American Legion POA. In my case I recently had a secretary making major decisions on what evidence should or should not be sent to the ro in support of my case. I to am very upset, and did not take it setting down. I took it all the way to the top. Ironiclly I ended up saving her , Her job. I am now being represented by the rep who's office is in the ro. Only today I was reading the AMERICAN LEGION POST SERVICE OFFICERS GUIDE 2006 EDITION. I am quite sure you are fully aware of there regs. I also know there are many who don't. I personally find it disgraceful that the vet. has to know all of the Va's Regulations, in addition now to also knowing the poa,s rules that they work under. I have read many times on this sight of the frustrations that people like Vike 17 has stated. ( If the evidence was sent in on the original claim that was won on appeal) the system would not be so clogged up. He is right you know, But is this the vets fault, IN MOST CASES NO. In to many case its PoA-s who are untrained or just simply dont care. As we all know when we file a claim we don't know diddly. We trust the road to handle it for us. Its only after our claims have been botched that we have to start learning why. AGAIN I WILL QUOTE OTHERS WHO WORK AT RO'S- IT'S A VERY SMALL PERCENT OF THE CASES THAT HAVE TO BE APPEALED, WHICH MEANS MOST POA'S ARE DOING IT RIGHT. I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY THAT MOST HEAR ON HADIT FALL IN THE LATTER. Following I will paste one paragraph from manual mentioned above That gives Berta every right to pursue her case and perhaps some day set a standard in the courts for us all. Hopefully it will get that far. CLAIM FORMS, DOCUMENTATION AND CORRESPONDENCE Post Service Officers should not hold such material. To avoid delays and potentially lost benefits, all claims or correspondence submitted to the PSO should be immediately directed to the DSO at the VA regional office having jurisdiction over the geographic area where the claimant lives. It is also important that no material or evidence ever be submitted directly to VA. Should a benefit claim be denied, the PSO should advise claimants to contact the DSO right away, before initiating an appeal or taking further action on their claim.

Berta I have been reading about your gripes With your poA for quite a while. At first they were totally FRENCE TO THIS HILLBILLY. The longer I read, the more I learn. I have recently been in the trenches with my American Legion POA. In my case I recently had a secretary making major decisions on what evidence should or should not be sent to the ro in support of my case. I to am very upset, and did not take it setting down. I took it all the way to the top. Ironiclly I ended up saving her , Her job. I am now being represented by the rep who's office is in the ro. Only today I was reading the AMERICAN LEGION POST SERVICE OFFICERS GUIDE 2006 EDITION. I am quite sure you are fully aware of there regs. I also know there are many who don't. I personally find it disgraceful that the vet. has to know all of the Va's Regulations, in addition now to also knowing the poa,s rules that they work under. I have read many times on this sight of the frustrations that people like Vike 17 has stated. ( If the evidence was sent in on the original claim that was won on appeal) the system would not be so clogged up. He is right you know, But is this the vets fault, IN MOST CASES NO. In to many case its PoA-s who are untrained or just simply dont care. As we all know when we file a claim we don't know diddly. We trust the road to handle it for us. Its only after our claims have been botched that we have to start learning why. AGAIN I WILL QUOTE OTHERS WHO WORK AT RO'S- IT'S A VERY SMALL PERCENT OF THE CASES THAT HAVE TO BE APPEALED, WHICH MEANS MOST POA'S ARE DOING IT RIGHT. I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY THAT MOST HEAR ON HADIT FALL IN THE LATTER. Following I will paste one paragraph from manual mentioned above That gives Berta every right to pursue her case and perhaps some day set a standard in the courts for us all. Hopefully it will get that far. CLAIM FORMS, DOCUMENTATION AND CORRESPONDENCE Post Service Officers should not hold such material. To avoid delays and potentially lost benefits, all claims or correspondence submitted to the PSO should be immediately directed to the DSO at the VA regional office having jurisdiction over the geographic area where the claimant lives. It is also important that no material or evidence ever be submitted directly to VA. Should a benefit claim be denied, the PSO should advise claimants to contact the DSO right away, before initiating an appeal or taking further action on their claim.

I have a friend who is retired from the sea-bees. He has no sc disabilities, and he didn't sign up for va benefits in time to qualify for any va benefits. I thought I read somewhere that someone in his position could still get eye exams and glasses from the va. Perhaps someone could tell me one way or the other. thanks kkp

Larry did you file a new claim on your knee and hip, I am assuming you did. If so I think you should file a nod on your original claim. If you do you can point out all the things the original rater did not rate. A dro could correct this right away especially if your ssdi is based solely on your sc condition. kkp

Larry j After rereading your decision, I believe you should get an nod in immediately. and request a De NOVO review. You say you received ssdi soley on th sc condition. It seems to me that the rater concentrated entirely on your c&p, and probably under rated it. It doesnt appear to me they even considered the other evidence. In my cover letter I would point out In line items the evidence that was not mentioned in your rating. I think you had the evidence before the rater and he didn't' consider it. This would not get by a good dro especially if you pointed it out. I agree with cavemen, go for 100% and send in a iu form with it. You will get all kind of flax from your poa on the IU, But fill it out and send it in yourself if you have to. I would hate to see you get caught up in this mess of asking for 20% here and 30% there, with each decision taking a couple of years, and then finally asking for IU and five years of your life gone. That's exactly what happened to me and others on this board. I say go for the whole ball of wax now. Hey you can always appeal anything less, But who knows, you could get lucky the first time. kkp

Congratulations Larry You have your foot through the door now. That was the big battle. You will get some good advice on how to handle it from a lot of knowledgeable people here. I would offer some advice in a couple of areas. If you have a poa,don't let him rush you. You have time to get your case in order. If I am wrong someone will correct me, But file your nod as soon as possible,and ask for 100%. Go for the whole ball of wax now. At worse you will establish a start date for back pay. Now you have plenty of time to gather your evidence. If I understood you right, you said you got ssdi solely on this service connected injury. If so you want to get a copy of there decision. You can get it quicker than the ro will. Get imo's from every dr. you can and be sure they show a connection to your sc injury. Don't be in a hurry, you have lots of time. The important thing is to get it all together the first time. It will take several months for your nod to work its way to a dro. I'll shut up now and let people that know what they are talking about advise you I am just excited for you good luck. kkp

I fully agree with TBIRD concerning Vike 17. I posed many questions on this board, and Vike17 responded to many of them. I didn't always get the answer i wanted to hear, however I did get answers based on VA law. Maybe his bedside manner was a work in progress, But answers to my Questions were always right on. While browsing another board, I found a post by vike17. He was concerned that a answer he gave on this board might have been in error. He got a response from someone he felt had more experience in this particular field than he did. As it turned out he had been right. He politely thanked him and that was it PERSONALLY I WISH HE WOULD COME BACK ON BOARD. I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY MORE PEOPLE VALUED HIS OPINION THAN HE REALIZED. I MUST SAY THAT I FIND MYSELF IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH THE OPINION OF A PATICULAR ARTHOR ON ONE SUBJECT AND TOTAL DISAGREEMENT ON THE NEXT. Does that make me right or wrong? I say no only human. kkp