SphereWeaver

Hello, This message is for SVR. At this time: Posted 19 September 2008 - 08:05 AM she said this: Another thing that we had to convince VA was that the Navy did not understand bi polar when he was in-service ----his VA doctor-who I also knew well- stated this fact in a report---I think I was actually with him once when he saw this doctor fopr therapy- the Navy thought it was a discipline problem. It was his first manifestations of bi polar-in his disciplinary inservice reports. I find this an incredibly insightful message. I was on Trident Patrol in the Fall of 2002 on Orange Alert for several weeks. Afterwards I was discharged from the NAVY for THC use and out of the Service by March 2003. I was Discharged 1 Month before I would have been eligible for my POST 911 GI BILL (23 mos active duty). I was given the 'exit counseling' (I have no idea what it was called specifically) and all the other goodies on my way out. I denied that anything was wrong with me. In 2006 I was hospitalized for Bi-Polar (suicidal ideations) and finally diagnosed and given medications. Even then I did not think anyhting was really wrong with me, stabalized, and tried to get back on my feet. I have been in and out of hospitals for several years now and have had more than 1 severe run-in with the Law. I am taking full steps to address that something is clearly wrong with me. I started a VA Claim for Bi-Polar on 10-10. I have gone to a specialist that gave me a questionairre to fill in and I have been to a Psychologist (both services provided by State Grants). Both Specialists gave me the 50 - 50 % chance that it is likely that my Bi-Polar was exacerbated in the Service. That took 16 months. Now, apparently the information (my VA File/Claim) has been sent to the Minneapolis VA and I am awaiting my C & P Exam. It has been over 40 days since that info has been sent to the Regional Office and I have heard no word about my upcoming appointment. When I call or go into the local VA Office and ask what is going on (taking so long) all they can say is that I should not do anything to disrupt the process as my claim could easily be placed back at the bottom of the pile and they keep giving me longer and longer wait times. An example would be that once I went in there they said that it would be no more than 30 days once the info was sent to regional office that I would be scheduled for C & P Exam and I went in 2 weeks later and they said it would be 30-45 days before a C & P exam. (where did the extra 2 weeks come from?) Another example is that at first they told me that it would be 3-6 months after C & P before a decision was made and now they are saying it could be 14 months or longer after my C & P Exam before I heard anything. This Friday (tomorrow) will be 45 days since my File/Claim was sent to the Minneapolis VA (at least). I live in a small town. The 2 people that work in the VA office are close to retirement age and I do not feel that they are qualified to handle my claim, fight for me or speak strongly on my behalf. I have had the good fortune enough to get reacquanited with an old girlfriend and her parents know people who know people who work at the VA. I am OTH I do not feel that it was right that I be 'let-go' so close to being eligible for the Post 911 GI BILL I had an impeccable record up to the point of popping hot. I led an entire class through 1.5 years of Training to get to their respective Boats. The last review by my Senior Chief before I popped hot was: A rising star with unlimited potential (during Orange Alerts) I agree that the NAVY did not know what Bi-Polar was and simply viewed it as a discipline problem, I also feel my current Reps feel/act the same way. I have worked as best as I can for the past few years with it getting harder and harder for me to hold a job. It has been 3 years since I worked. I have been putting my self through College. My question is/are: Should I change VA Reps/Office? How can I find a VA Rep that understands Mental Health Issues and how to fight for the Veteran about the Issues? An example would be where you stated that 'It was his first manifestations of bi polar-in his disciplinary inservice reports.' (not a discipline problem) Thank You