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blackcloud

Seaman
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About blackcloud

  • Birthday 06/14/1970

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  • Location
    Florida
  • Interests
    Classic Cars, Jewelry making, trying to help.

Previous Fields

  • Service Connected Disability
    10%
  • Branch of Service
    USN
  • Hobby
    jewelry making.

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  1. Ship was USS Constellation CV-64 Fire date was Sept 24 1992 in Philadelphia I am still searching the BVA ( I assume it means the Bureau of Veteran Affairs) I am finding documentation of sailors who fought other fires onboard but none for the time frame I had fought it. So far. I am still searching. I found another reference for my fire online https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/09/24/Navy-probes-fire-on-aircraft-carrier/8539717307200/ It list 26 injured 2 hospitalized. I found two persons on a crew list web site that mentioned either fighting the fire or being there. I have reached out to them for any info including anyone who may have been awarded a service connection. I do not have any IMO at this time. All treatment was thru the VA. I think I may have had a rep at the time. I will see if I can get a copy of my C file(s) That of course will take time. But time well spent. To all, thanks for all the help! I am not giving up this time!
  2. @ JWMN89 My mother passed on 05-05-2012, (will the VA accept a printed Obituary or do I need a Death Cert?) My first time reaching out to the VA on this matter was on 07-09-2012 when things began to spiral out of control for me and my Ex-wife helped me get help from the VA because they helped last time. I stopped going for about a year ( from 2016 to 2017) I felt like progress was being made but my health insurance will only pay for so much then I foot the bill. Having got divorced (because she could no longer watch me kill myself as she put it) I lost that support and income to make bills. Thus why I am seeking a service connection So I can afford the treatments. And I suppose I kept being reminded of what happened ever time I went there. I recently went back and I think I have 4 more visits left before I have to foot the bill.
  3. I checked for my denial letter(s) and it would seem those went with my ex in the ceder chest. I do recall that there was not enough supporting information for them to make a judgement and commented that it was less than likely. Short story, we had a fire on board my ship pier side. While combating it I feel into the flames and my safety equipment did its job, but I thought I was going to die. I recall coming to later in a side compartment with (what I assume was a medic) giving me a once over saying I was fine and they needed back up on the line. No information was documented in my medical record, The only reference I can find was a newspaper article . I have requested ships logs but they were of no help because they do not account for individuals hurt. I helped various persons overcome by smoke and helped load them into ambulances. So All I have as evidence is the fire in a ships log, a newspaper article, and my word. I have tried to reach out to various buddies for buddy letters but to no avail (found out later that they are more or less useless from an attorney). Information from my medical records follows 3. Medical opinion for direct service connection a. [ J The claimed condition was at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event , or illness. Provide rationale i n section c. b . [XJ The claimed condition was less likely than not {less than 50 percent probability) incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event, or illness . Provide rationale in section c . c. Rationale: Veteran meets DSM-IV criteria for PTSD. Veter a n' s symptoms are secondary to childhood physical abuse at the hands of his stepfather and an incident where he was choked by a juvenile inmate (after discharge from the military) . Veteran sought mental health treatment in 2004 after the incident where he was choked . Veteran presented to the VA again in 2012, now reporting PTSD symptoms secondary to a ship's fire in the Navy . Veteran reported in 2012 that he had been having nightmares about this fire since 1993. Veteran did not report any such symptoms/nightmares secondary to a Navy ship's fire when he was seen 8 years earlier in 2004 . As veteran's reports of his symptoms are inconsistent, I think it is less likely than not that veteran has PTSD related to his conceded military non-combat experience . There are inconsistencies in my record. First I was not molested by my stepfather it was two cousins... I never really had an issue with my PTSD and the fire till my mother died in a fire and I had to go to the location to answer questions from the fire marshal for the investigation. The sites and smells, along with the closeness of how I could have met my fate is what broke me. Hope this helps.
  4. What weight would a private psychologist have on my claim for PTSD. The VA keeps ducking saying it was due to childhood trauma. I am trying to get them to admit it exasperated any preexisting condition. I had a Top Secret Clearance from 92 to 96 and would (back n those days) NEVER received it with any hint of mental issues. I feel if I can get a professional to say this into my medical record I might have a fighting chance. I have been denied twice I think. Link for so many of us it has been a long journey... Thoughts? Also does anyone know of a Veteran friendly Private Psychologist in South West Florida?
  5. UPDATE #2 Thanks for the pointer Vync will check it out. Sorry for the delay I have been battling this non-stop (along with a quadruple by pass surgery in June. I dodged the widow maker by hours I was told which oddly has not changed me in the slightest) and the only things that keeps me going is my wife and the encouragement here. The suits said no to the case after examining for over a year. That's ok, cause some other things came to light. My psychologist wondered why I was avoiding some of my appointments and I told here that when it was determined it was my problem and not the military's I so no need to stand in the way of others who were determined to be service connected. She looked at my P&E exam and said I had gotten a raw deal from the examiner and I should continue to pursue a claim (by the way this doctor has been the most effective at helping me with my PTSD. I hope she stays with the VA) So I headed to the Regional DAV office and started the claim process all over again. I am hopeful that I can get the VA to admit that this stems from military service and not from my childhood. Stay strong y'all and when dealing with the VA; check six often...
  6. Update... Well I turned my claims over to the suits. That was nearly a year ago. I have been getting updates off and on indicating they are working the case (confidence is high). I know these things can take time. I am having a hard time finding persons with whom I have worked with for buddy letters. Facebook and other such sites have not panned out for me. But I will continue to work on it. just wanted to again say thanks to all those who helped me. stay strong yall and when dealing with the VA; check six often...
  7. @ free_spirit_etc Thanks for the input. That is what I have been trying to tell them. Even in my C&P I told her that I was normal up to the fire. After that moment I was changed.. guess she was so hung up on the textbook and not really doing a diagnosis consistent with the evidence. I am working on securing funds for an IMO. Do you (or anyone else) have any pointers on the type of psychiatrist to get.. one that specializes in PTSD or Childhood trauma (to debunk reason for denial).. Thanks!
  8. @ John999: Copy that :) I have been trying to make them understand I would never had received a Top Secret Clearance (later upgraded to SCI) if I had any mental issues that were even perceived by those who know me prior to joining the military. I created an hell of an uphill battle by being honest. @ 63Sierra: That is what I was thinking might be a good line of argument. Capitulate that, OK, maybe I had some issues that even I was not truly aware of but that the fire set things in motion to exasperate an already preexisting condition. I REALLY appreciate all the support that I have got from the Hadit members. At times it seems to be the only persons I can relate too... Thanks all for being there to help me.
  9. Thanks Philip for your input on this one. I will seek out that IMO (no matter which way I go (challenge myself or lawyer)). That seems like the best pace to start.
  10. Well I just got my results back... Denied on all fronts guess it's time to NOD and start all over again I will try to get an IME but funds are tight I am kicking around the idea of an attorney (thoughts on this one please) Thanks
  11. Thanks to all for helping... this has helped me get over the first part of the pending denial of claim. I was able to track down and provide a newspaper article that mentioned the fire and that there were some injuries. Berta you said "The problem I think you might have is proving to the VA you were at the scene of this fire,in such close proximity that your face mask began to melt. I was with a local fire dept for 8 years as auxiliary......that was Really getting close to flames....." Sadly the respirator the Navy used in 92 was not really suited for fire fighting but for mining http://www.damagecontrolmuseums.org/dcequip/breath/oba4.html We would even perform a seal test by grabbing the hoses and sucking in air, if the face shield buckled it was a good seal. That clear face shield is not rigid but flexible. That is what started to melt. When I 'came too' all that equipment was gone (as were some of my clothes). I will try to track down my Operations Officer that told me to suck it up. I can get buddy letters and letters from family members who saw the change in me. Chuck75 I did for a while just try to 'handle myself' I was embarrassed and ashamed at some of the things I was going through. I was worried if I sought help that others would see me as weak or pity me. Guess it was bigger than I thought. I will line up an IMO and make sure to give the DOC all the info I have and what I am seeking from the IMO. James
  12. Fire was on USS Constellation CV64 in late 92 at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.
  13. jbasser Thanks for the heads up! Should I get the IMO and submit when denied in late 2014? OR Should I get the IMO and upload now via eBenefits? (either way I am getting the IMO)
  14. Howdy I had my C&P on 8-20-2013. Went to Release of Information today(8-21-2013) and saw the entry "Condition was less likely than not (Less than 50%) incurred in or caused in service. " My guess is that it will be denied (Am I wrong?). Background as follows on me Childhood abuse Childhood Molestation Abusive step-dad Alcoholic mother Did good in school Graduated High School as expected Never had any "run ins with the law" Joined Navy in 90 Graduated Data Systems school Given Top Secret Clearance after passing background, health and mental check. Traumatic event was non-combat in late 92 Shipboard fire While combating the fire I ended up in the blaze and saw my face-mask; for my respirator; begin to melt closing in on my face. Felt extreme horror that this was the end. Next thing I knew I was being stripped and doused with water, taken to triage in the hanger bay. Was told by unknown medic I was ok. I was having sleep issues sometime later. Spoke to my Operations officer about it. He said I could suck it up and move on and keep my clearance and job or seek help and lose clearance and rate (MOS). I just sucked it down no follow up medically speaking was done. Was honorably discharged. Had traumatic event when I was working as a corrections officer in 2004. Was nearly choked to death during an escape attempt. I sought help with VA about issues I was having concerning having someone touch near or around my throat area (like hugging). Managed to get to a point where I felt ok. Then in 2012 my mother (whom I was fighting with) died in a fire. When I got to the scene they (the fire department) had just wrapped up and left. That posed to be too much for me to keep everything down. I started having flash backs to the fire that nearly claimed my life. Things went downhill from there. Nightmares, confrontations with strangers, fights with wife, depression, drinking. Suicidal thoughts, Being backer acted while in treatment with VA. DX with PTSD from VA GAF avg 55 Been in treatment over a year. From What I have read here I meet the criteria and burden of evidence. A Current Disability. There must be a current disability, one that has been diagnosed by a medical professional; DX PTSD from VA An Event In Service. There must be evidence in the military service records of the occurrence or aggravation of a disease, injury, or event in service; and, Shipboard fire Medical Nexus Evidence. There must be a nexus, or link, between the current disability and the in-service disease, injury or event; i.e., the veteran must present medical evidence that the current disability and the in-service disease, injury or event are related. My mothers Death broke the denial I had suppressed from the event in the military. My question is should I wait for the decision (expected around 04-2014 or 10-2014 according to the ebeneits site) and NOD OR Should I upload what I have stated here, on the eBenefits site as information to be considered that appears to have been overlooked in C&P (no mention of my moms death and the relation of how this exasperated my condition)? I will wait for other to chime in, and will answer any questions as fast as I can. Thanks to all.
  15. Thanks deanbrt! I must have been on my meds when I posted... I am not sure that I have established a service connection. The first Psychiatrist I was working with said I had (undiagnosed) PTSD while I was in, this opinion was based on what I had told her. I have not received any paperwork saying there was a service connection as of yet. That was why I was wondering if it was a bad thing. I was trying to build my case and within 10 min of my C&P I am being admitted to Bay Pines psych ward in FL later that day. I hope this does not look bad for me trying to make my case, and, I hope that I do not have to do the C&P again as that was stressful on me and my wife. I will keep yall posted on how things go and if I find anything that says it wa service connected. Thanks!
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