Aletta

I guess Greed is the reason for some making a claim. I heard a few years ago about an ex-wife checking or filing a claim for secondary PTSD from her ex husband, some here may know who I am referring. Some may disagree with me.. I can understand the effects of PTSD on family members, and even possibly calling it Secondary PTSD. I know when my husband is showing signs of depression or anxiety and the physical/mental effects it has on me, but to compensate me is just wrong. There are many reason for PTSD that are not military related. My husband's as other Veterans, would not have had PTSD if they were not in the service in the military, thus the reason for their compensation from the VA. My opinion is not in stone, and I am willing to listen to others but for now, I believe VA compensation is for Veterans, as DIC is for legal spouse and children, not for compensating an separate/ ex spouse.

Great pic of the two of you.. I didn't realize you were in MO.. With the weather being warmer, sometimes, I'm sure Cinder and you will be out and about more and more..

Last time the back log was reduced in a hurry, it was... BUT most claims were denied... I sure hope they don't deny claims without any merit just to get reduce the backlog fast.. Oh, they do that now... and still have a backlog..

I have Jon email address and he is one of the 'researchers' I meantion in the other post. Here is a documenty done from his research. http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A0S00MmjWUNRa28ALKX7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTBrc3VyamVwBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQD?p=agent+orange+okinawa+documentary&vid=2212c30ff5356c73a6e1fbd835c7eff0&l=&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts2.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DV.5007039425282457%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D5tRkP2b3dsM&tit=Agent+Orange+Okinawa+documentary&c=0&sigr=11aaehke0&age=0&fr=slv8-&tt=b I am waiting on his permission to give out his email addy. If he does, anyone that has information on Okinawa and wants to make contact with him. Contact me via private messaging WHEN he gives me permission I will connect them. Good Luck with claims on AO in Okinawa.

I am in contact with a VSO who has the ship log for USS Schuyler Otis Bland When it is scanned and uploaded I will send link for it. This ship log shows it carried chemical. Also, I have made contact with another person interested in buried AO in Okinawa. May I send you a personal message with my contact? Also, to have your permission to CC you in any emails with the other Okinawa researcher?

I missed this the first look on Steve's site.. I opened the PDF and it says: Herbicide Orange (HO) to Johnston Island that originated from Vietnam and was stored on Okinawa. page 4 Beginning in the 1970s, the Johnston Atoll military mission became the storage of chemical munitions. In 1971, the United States Army Technical Escort Unit escorted the transfer of two thousand tons of chemical munitions from Okinawa to Johnston Atoll under the code name “Operation Red Hat”. Phase I of “Operation Red Hat” involved the movement of chemical munitions from a depot storage site to Tengan Pier, eight miles away, by trailers. Phase II of “Operation Red Hat” moved the munitions to Johnston Atoll by ship. The US Army unit was renamed the United States Army Chemical Activity, Pacific (USACAP) in 1990, and chemical munitions were moved from West Germany to Johnston Atoll by ship, under the code name “Operation Steel Box”. A small stock of chemical artillery shells were transferred to Johnston Atoll from the Solomon Islands in 1991. page 5 http://38uscode.com/booklets/Issues/Agent%20Orange/JohnstonIslandAgentOrange/JohnstonIsland.pdf It doesn't say AO.. but chemicals.. I will look for more when I have time..In a claim he should use the words chemical expouse and not AO. JMO

Here are some links I found on Snakecharmer's Vet Info site. It may help give the Vet friend a starting point for contacts. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2011/08/13/news/agent-orange-buried-on-okinawa-vet-says/ http://www.veteransinfo.org/okinawa.html http://www.2ndbattalion94thartillery.com/Chas/guambva.htm

I'v been reading up, and to file PTSD you need a VA doctor to fill out an Initial PTSD DBQ, I know the VA keeps that forum internal, but does anyone know how it compares to the 21-0960P3? Q: Will VA use DBQs for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? A: Yes.: However there are two separate DBQs for PTSD depending on whether the Veteran has already been told by VA that he or she is “service connected” for PTSD. If the Veteran has already been told by VA that he or she is “service connected” for PTSD, then a private mental health provider may complete a Review PTSD DBQ (VA Form 21-0960P3). However, if a Veteran has not already been told by VA that he or she is “service connected,” then a DBQ for the initial diagnosis of PTSD (VA Form 21-0960P4) must be completed by a VA mental health provider. The Initial PTSD DBQ cannot be completed by a private mental health provider. DBQ list downloadable http://benefits.va.gov/TRANSFORMATION/dbqs/ListByDBQFormName.asp

WE have already requested the C&P copy in between the two exams. Medical Release people know us by first name. The Copy came last Saturday and it was missing one of the exam. I called Monday and the examiner didn't sign off till Saturday. I told Linda, I would pick it up today while hubby was in surgery. But I had to call her today and ask that she mail it, because we would not be there, Hubby's surgery is postponed for two weeks. She started printing it while I was still on the phone and will mail it out. If she gets it in the mail today, we should have it no later than Saturday, but I hope tomorrow...lol.. The C&Ps are showing as received on eBennies... His local therapist copied and checked boxes off the 'symptoms' page from the DBQ on PTSD review. I showed the examiner and the SSOC the therapist wrote for him. The examiner asked if she could copy it, I said yes. His therapist checked most all of the 'worst' choices then in the comment box she wrote: Fits of rage when startled or provoked. Her SSOC letter says in the beginning "...this statement is in support of (Hubby's name) claim for unemployability due to PTSD." Then she goes on to write some of her sessions with him and how long and how often she sees him. I didn't not suggest anything for her to write. We have discussed hubby's feelings about the 'government not standing by veterans like they promised'... and his claim. So I am anxious (a good kind) to read what the C&P says..

I knew effextor can cause ED. Hubby is on the highest amount of efextor, Seroquel, and prazion that he can be on. Six months ago they added Bupropion, known better as Wellbutrin or Zyban. In January they increased his bupropion and added hydroxyzine. Did you know Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine? Only if you care to share, I assume you have anxiety as that is what Hydroxyzine also used to treat. I am curious. My hubbby has PTSD/MDD. Do you have MDD or GAD? His depression come first then the anxiety. I understand with GAD it is just the opposite.

Is the med Effexor (venlafaxine)?

I agree with the above advice about asking for one on one therapy. I know many Vets that do go to groups and it helps them. My husband refuses to go to groups. He did see on therapist for over four years. Then he left the VA and my hubby kept getting new ones every year. He never 'connected'. He has Medicare so he sees a local therapist. My hubby hates going to the VA anyway. The therapist who he sees was never military BUT she did her training at the VA. Yep, a lady who my hubby has a half way connection with. She has told me that he won't talk about everything.. but she has given him coping tools. He has a hard time with them.. but at least he is trying. He has never been given a 'menu'. I think that sounds strange myself. As Bert said; PTSD can't be cured. There are treatments that will reduce the symptoms along with medications. One with PTSD can learn to 'manage' their emotions but that is not a cure. The fact that the stressor event (trauma) did happen can never be taken away nor can the memories. I have heard the same thing about the CPT and Exposure therapy... In theory, it is to desensitize the trauma.. but it ends up adding to the trauma.. It never make sense to me... The more combat exposure the more likely one will develop server PTSD... and they think 'exposure' to more will desensitized the trauma. Maybe it works for some, but I have yet to hear from a Vet that thought the exposure therapy helped. JMO

Thanks for the link Jbasser! I will go there NOW! Berta, I can't even get a cell signal at my home. We are in an area called 'Boonboro' here in MO.. Danial Boones son's lived and worked around here.. it is nothing but hills, hollows and trees. I only pay $39 a month. I called about the Gen4 and it is above my budget. I could maybe afford it but I would rater save money IF I can.. When I had dial up, I could hear the show.. it did cut out some. I guess the delay with Hughes Net causes a problem. I have WMP but I use RealPayer the most as it allows me to 'download and save' even if the site doesn't allow it sometimes.. I download things and go about my day and when I come back.. I can listen and watch when time allows.

At the top of this page and most pages here at Hadit, to listen to the SVR Weekly Internet Podcast. I click the play button only nothing happens. I am guessing this is only for live broadcasts? I have updated all my players, I have several. They are all enabled in my IE 9 add ons. I have Win7. What do I need to do to hear them? I have Hughes Net satellite connection so I can't do streaming and listening in when it is live. I have the cheapest Huges Net package and it is not real fast. OR is there a place I can download each program? I assume it is recorded.

I am talking about the 'rating'.. A simple program to check boxes or not check and easily be done. I am not talking about if a claim is approved or denied by a program. There is much written documentaion that is needed for any decision to be done by human eyes and brains if they have them. But for the rating: For instances less take the cardiovascular system. In WARMS 4.104 - Schedule of Ratings, Cardiovascular , there is a list of different disability related to Cardiovascular disease with a percentage of each. All a program would have to do is to produce the outcome of % that the C&P examiner not a non-medical person in the RO called the Rater. Then when the C&P exam is finished, the rest of the DBQ can be evaluated by a Decision person in hopes they have a brain. This would or should decrease the back logs some. I don't know how long it takes for a C&P to be rated by a person at the RO. I don't know about other VAMCs, but at the HST-VMC in Columbia Missouri the C&P Exam is sent electronically to the SLRO. Any security issues will not be changed if there is a 'rating program' from what the risks are now. I do agree with you on the devils in the details.

I have emailed with Carol for helping other BWN Vets. I have not been in contact with her or John for years. As I only seered BWN vets to him for his direct help. I sure don't know how you have the time to help as much as you do. Thanks you for everything you do for finding Veterans the information they need. There are others on this forum who posts I have read who also have been of great help. Thank you again.

Wow. Thanks for that info on banking. If I can figure out how to mark your reply or save it here, I'm going to. Wednesday, the C&P examiner didn't even ask him who pays the bills or any finances questions this time at all. In the first PTSD C&P, in 2011, the examiner did ask who took care of the bills and how much he trusts me. At the time, I needed some everyday shoes. Since I am not a spender, I was waiting for sales. He told the docs that he can't even get me to buy a pair of shoes because I won't spend the money on myself. I hate shopping and he told the doctor that. He gets mad at me for not buying things.. I buy what I need and I don't need much. I apprecate the warning and I will take heed to it. I have background in being a conservator and legal guradian. with accounting education along with nursing. I am at presently the Conservator and guradian for my adult daughter. I have to show accounting for all her finances for her SSDI and her health conditions. If the VA should try to appoint a Fiduciary, I truely believe we can fight them on it. I sure was not aware about two accounts.. That is GREAT information for us. I will explain it to my hubby for his approval. I take care of our finances, but I always get his approval on things other then monthly bills. As far as being at ease about his C&P I am not. Hubby signed a ROI Wednesday for the C&P examsbto be mailed to us when finished. The records came in the mail yesterday. He had two C&Ps, one medical and one for PTSD. The Medical DBQ examiners was sent, but not the PTSD C&P record. I will call them first thing tomorrow as they have his signed ROI. So I will be more relaxed when I read what that examiner put in the DBQ. I think I will just wait and pick it up when we go there Wednesday for his surgery instead of having them mail it. If I have Internet access then, I will let you know what she marked in the DBQ under ''Competency'.. plus I am anxious to see if she marked 'Total occupational and social impairment' like she eluded to with her remarks.

My hubby is Army and I know "Hurry up and Wait" saying all to well. He uses it every time we goes to the VAMC. We are in Missouri, and the St. Louis is the RO for him. He did have his claim sent to London KY. As I understand from his VSO. London is/was a CPC, Claim Processing Center. When IHD was first approved as a presumptive, all of these claim went there for 'faster' processing. When the IHD claims slowed down and went back to the ROs, London started doing claims, at least for the St. Louis RO, that were pass one year. My hubby's claim was sent there... and misplaced. I have a letter with London CPC letterhead with the VACC, which hubby's signed and gave to his VSO to send. The letter stated to send there. Due to some issues here at home, I didn't check eBenifits for three months, that was a mistake. I noticed the paperwork was not showing up as received. I called the VSO, he found out, the paper work was NOT in my hubby's file, this was after it took them a week to find it. I don't remember the month, but last year, all claims from SLRO that were at London was sent back to SL. When this happened, I understand, not verified, that due to the amount of claims sent back, all claims were put on hold until they 'organized' the claims. I believe it was only the claim that came back from London, KY and not other claims. I didn't think to ask at the time. The reason I asked how long the 'rater' has a claim, is after my husband's surgery next week and his and my stress is back to a normal for us. I plan to send my comments about scraping the 'rater's' job. I am sure the VA has IT guys that can make a program that when the C&P examiner fills out their 'questioner' in a program that can do the rating per the law. I think this will do away with lots of waisted time in the claim process. I was just wondered how long the claim takes from C&P exam to next step past the rater. Raters are not medical people anyway. All they do is go by the C&P exam and 'key punch' what the examiner marks to come up with a rating. Does it not make sense to have a program where the examiner 'key punches' the findings in? There was errors with my hubby's rating from what the examiner put in the DBQ.

I have some BWN, Blue Water Navy, Vets friends. I am told that the new reg of 2010 also includes them. So I am thinking that if the ship that the first posted mission was to do search and rescue, he won't need a stressor proof either. That is not to say, get everything you can in case one needs to prove. Thanks for telling me, PR, what bumped meant.. I found the post she 'bumped'..

Animals are helpful in every way. I read where there are horse farms even that help people with PTSD. I know my hubby's dogs has helped him. He still misses his horses. Thanks for sharing your journey.. It was interesting to read.

Good Post!

My hubby claim was approved in June 2010.. the new reg for PTSD went into effect the following month. Thanks Berta, I had went and found the Fast Letter from the VA on the new regs. I see it does not help BWN Vets much or others that were not in combat or near the actions. What do you mean by 'bumped it up'.. I seen that phase before in another topic.

Your welcome, but please wait for others to answer.. I could be wrong. I just know what my hubby's AV8 letter looks like. It always has the effective date of Dec and the prior year due to COLA increases... He has been SC for several years now.

After I replied, I started thinking. Since the new regs on not having to prove a stressor if in combat zone, does this apply to Navy? My hubby's,( Army)claim was filed before the new reg and was approved the month before it went into effect. So he had to prove his stressor. I was just wonder how this effected Navy Vets? From the replies after mine, I assume they still have to 'prove' a stressor? It really don't see just, does it?

How about the shortest wait time???