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mountain tyme
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Posts posted by mountain tyme
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Betrayed...You are at the top of My Prayer List...I want to see your next post in the SUCCESS SECTION OF THIS SITE!!!...
God Speed
MT
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Hello..when I received my C/P report for PTSD the report included the questions the doctor asked and my response to the questions...then there was a section to the doctors opion...
I found this on the internet regarding your question...
There have been numerous reports of military veterans suffering from PTSD-like symptoms for well over 100 years. For example, veterans of the US Civil War who suffered emotional problems were diagnosed as being afflicted with "solider heart" or “Da Costa’s Syndrome” which shares many symptoms like PTSD. Shell Shock was a term used to describe the condition of veterans of WW1 who seemed emotionally disturbed in a similar fashion. In WW II, these symptoms were classified as "battle fatigue" or "combat fatigue". Other terms used to describe military-related mood disturbances include "nostalgia", "not yet diagnosed nervous", "irritable heart", "effort syndrome", "war neurosis", and "operational exhaustion
It seems that the c/p doctor is saying that you fit into the criteria of PTSD
MT
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I agree with the other members..except for you don't have to steal those records...if you are still active duty just go up to medical records and ask them for a copy of all your medical records...and if they ask why tell them because you need a copy to keep with you in the event you go on leave home...then go to exray and ask them for a copy of any films they may have tell them the same thing if they ask..
This is the best time for you to start a time line...with all information about who, what, and where,
Also get address of all buddies that have knowledge of what happened if possible get them to write out a letter now...while you are still in...now if they give you an address...it might be a good idea to get a permant address like that of there folks...someone who will know where they are just in case.
If you have any photographs of where you have been that can be added to your timeline...
PLEASE I hope you are keeping a daily diary on how you are feeling...
and for goodness sake if they ask you HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY...tell them the truth...first if I didn't feel like s@#t I wouldn't be here talking to you!
If you are married perhaps your wife would be a better one to keep a diary on how your days are going...she would be more to the point...*smile*
I would definaly request a Medical Review in writing and KEEP A COPY OF IT FOR YOURSELF AND WHO SIGNED IT...if you hand it in have it time and date stamped and get a copy of that...things tend to disapear once you get out of the Active Service..
Don't let anyone tell you well once you get out you have a year to file...
YOU WANT IT TO BE LOOKED INTO NOW...NOT TOMORROW...
You did not enlist broken...like that sign say's "if you break it you brought it"
same goes here...if they broke you they have to fix you...and if they can't they need to compensate you...
MT
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Over Four years ago I was sitting outside in the hallway of the local VSO in my small town. I overheard the SO talking (he obviously did not know what a door was for ..it was wide open) this SO said "that most vets are filing VA claims because they are now at the age that they need a secure retirement fund" those may not have been the exact words but close enough that I quitly left. That remark will always stay with me...
HOw many other VSO officers are of the same mind set...everytime I have to talk to a VSO person I do not know I wonder what there thoughts really are...I can not even imagin the stress they are under..how many cases have they handled only to find out that the claim is made up...I think that when a person choose's to be a VSO that he made that choice because he truly wants to help those unsung hero's that need assistance...and will give his all...but as time goes by his outlook begins to become a little more guarded...because perhaps he has handled one two many false claims..or maybe he was verbally attacked by a overwhelmed vet who are on there last straw...I would not want to be VSO...because then I would have to take off my rose colored glasses...
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Like all programs there is always room for improvement, The VA maze for me was very frustrating because I was not organized when I first filed my claim, so now looking back I think it would be benifical to the Veteran if the VA could create a "how to step by step education DVD on how to file your claim (reason for a DVD is because for some people it is just easier for then to relate to verbal then to actually sit down and read a pamplet) that one of the first thing you should do is order there SMR or Service Records to 1st find out if they are even entitled to putting in a claim, that there is even evidence that you were seen in the service for the condition (it would amaze alot of people on just how many people put in claims only to find out later that they were never seen for a condition they thougt was service connected), second if you determine that you do have a SC disabiltiy, then go to step two and compile all your supporting documents in a timeline folder, (nice if the VA can come up with that step by step)...Make sure that you have IMO, buddy statements, stressor letter if needed, dates of doctor appointment, SSDI awards if any, records of VO REhab if you went and was turned down, letters from employors if you were fired due to your condition if it relates to what you are filing for (would be great if you have names, address, phone numbers, fax numbers ect. on hand) before filing this makes it easier for you as a VEteran and the VA as well..there are no clean cut remeody to solve the VA backlog...but if the VA can come up with a way to better educate or inform the Veteran on what is needed to even file a claim then at least they can spear head the backlog from growing...and with all the incoming vets coming home I am sure the case loads are going to grow. I really feel that the Military should do a better discharge sceening with our troops and if there is a VA compensational injury that they are medically discharged this would help our vets.
anyways that is what I think.
MT
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If I remember correctly I read somewhere a while back that except in rare circumstances, obesity is not considered a disabling condition because it can be controled or modified. Except is some rare cases as I stated.
Can overweight be secondary to major depression...yes it can, then the VA will look at the whole picture as to what meds you are on and adjust your medications to see if that will reverse the weight gain...Sometimes I think the VA is like a Auto Repair store it will nickle and dime you to death instead of just fixing the problem from the get go...it might cost a little more but at least is will not be a temporary fix...OR IN MOST CASES JUST MASK THE PROBLEM..
I believe the VA will pay for someone to have the rubber band procedure which can help one to lose weight...which in the long run would be very benifical to one's health...wieght can cause so many disabling conditions and could lead to early death....
but anyways I hope everything works out for you
MT
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Big...Question....you said that you were in the Army in the 60's...at any time during your military tour did you serve in a war zone?
There is a reason why I am asking you that question...you stated that your mother's illness was the stressor...Could it be that you experiance a tramatic event during your tour of duty prior to being notified..and that your mothers illness elevated your stress and anixity which evolved due to a tramatic experiance during your tour of duty...which in turn developed into PTSD??...what I am trying to say...is what your experianced during your military tourt could actually be the stressor...Our brains are designed to protect...and in order to protect you the memory will mask itself to an event that you can't handle...In many people who have PTSD they know an event happened but choose to relate to a situlation that they can deal with...normally people who have PTSD will be in denial of the tramatic event...because they can not emotionally handle it. Something to think about...
MT
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"Good Morning" a phase that is said everyday so what is a Good Morning? it is a day to celebrate that you made it through to one more...one more day to let your voice be heard...that is what it is.
Your question BETRAYED is whether or not you should mention you are a webmaster...the question should be.. would it make a differnce? In your situlation it would I went to your site...and if I could reach across the span of time and distance to make things better I would ...but since I can't.. I just would like to take this moment to tell you..Thank You for serving YOUR Country and giving more then was expected......Anger is just eating you up...and if that C/P doctor took the time to read your site he would see for himself the long term effect ...for your service injury has consumed your life, I can't even imagin the physical pain you live with on a daily basis...Then add the frustration of working with the VA system...it has now taken a phycological toll on top of that......the chances are that the VA C/P doctor will not go to your site...so I would print off part of what you have written so he can see your state of mind...I can only ask God to grant you his Grace to win your battle with the VA....so you can then begin the process of healing...The site you have created is a reflection of your pain and I would say that ...most Phycologist would see your website as a place for you to vent. Remember...you have PTSD ...PTSD does not have you...
MT
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It is not uncommon for an individual who has been diagnosised with PTSD to also have an obsessive disorder...or to become so fixated on a subject matter...and if I was going to have a fixation on anything it better be my VA case...because no one know's your case better then oneself...so organisation is very important...The sad part about all this is that the longer the claim goes on the more frustrated one becomes...by reading your posts I can see that it has become a campaign...to right a wrong you feel has occured...remember the ones who love you and take time for them as well...sometimes we become so absorbed with persuing our VA claims we forget about the most important things those who are there for the long haul...your in my prayers that there is a resolution to this claim soon...so I can read about it in the success area of the website...
MT
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Hello Pete 53...by what you wrote your c/p doctor was very observent during your exam...which is a good indicator that he will review your records with the same care which is a very good omen.
will keep you and your family in my prayers that a good outcome is on the way...
Testvet...When I had my C/P for PTSD the C/P doctor allowed my Husband to sit in during my examination...I think it all depends upon the Doctor giving the exam whether or not they will allow your spouse to be present...sometimes depending upon the subject matter perhaps the doctor feels that the patient may feel more comfortable without anyone present...I think that question should be brought up to a Patient Representative at the VAMC that the Patient (vet) should be given the decision weather or not they want there spouse or another family memeber present during there Phyc evaluation. something to think about anyways.
God Speed
MT
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What wonderful news for you and your loved ones...Now take time and count your Blessings...The sun truely does shine through!!!
God Speed
MT
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Thank You Vike17,
When Danny showed me his paperwork from the VA when he was seperated in the Early 90 he is SC for headaches but it has a zero rating, it was on a yellow color form with a list of item he was serviced connected for and some of the conditions had zero and some had %, his back had 20% for ddd, and he had a % of 20 for dermititis to his hands he worked with alot of solvants...he also showed me some of his Medical Records from Pease AFB where they did surgery for his nose but it was not mentioned on his VA paperwork when they origianly listed his condition...also in his military medical records it has acid reflux listed twice Danny said about 2 years before he retired he had alot of acid indigestion and in his records it mentions he was taking tum's the doctor noted probabal GER and in another appointment another doctor said probablal reflux. So I think he is being medicated for GERD and has a diagonis for it from his cilvian doctor since he got out of the military...the poor soul is a walking pharmacy...so I will help him put a claim in for that as well...o ya he is on a c-pap machine..
will update later I told him I would meet up with him with any information I can find...
this is really good therapy for me...
Take Care
God Speed
MT
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Good Morning,
I have a question...what is needed to open up a claim once the time has run out to send in evidence. As some of you guys know the town I live in we have had a heck of a time with keeping a VSO at our local office...so I Have been handing out Hadit.com cards to the vets I run into in the hallway of the building...well last tuesday I went down there to drop off some paperwork and forgot the NEW Vso is not at our office that day...and while I was there I met this vet that needed help...he is not computer savvy...
So here is the question...Danny is a retired Vet did his 20+ years active duty...during his time in service he has extensive medical history of Headaches going back to the 70's, in two of the records it is stated that he normally woke up with headaches with pains in the back of his neck head regin also he had a weight problem and was on the weight reduction program think they called tha the fat boy program back then...but anyways in regards the the H/a .the doctor wrote possible tension stress H/A. To make a long story short over a year ago he filed a claim with the VA for sleep apnea because he felt the H/A were caused from the sleep apnea because his doctor told him that. He showed me his denial letter from the VA which stated that noting in his MSR indicated that he had sleep apena so his claim is denied. Since then He had went ahead and obtained buddy statements that all indicated that he snored very loudly...in one of the buddy statement the guy who wrote it indicated his snoring was so intense that he could hear him in his room which was next door and had to move his bed across the room. Also in this guys medical records he had broke his nose while playing football for his squadon and had to have surgery. He told me that he told the military doctor about the sorning and he was told by the doctor it was due to having the surgery on his nose. So he never thought anything else about it. So can he re-open that claim with the buddy statements or will he need to go to a doctor to have them say the snoring and the Headaches were most likely an indicator he had sleep apena during his military service.
Thank You and Danny thanks you as well...
MT
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The truth always prevails...now take a deep breath and enjoy the simple things with those who have supported you though the toughest times...
God Speed
MT
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question about Non service Connected SSD
What if you were granted Social Security Disabilty for 3 seperated conditions...and one of the conditions is the same conditon you have been granted S/C for...would it not be in your best interest to bring your SSD into play for applying for Unemployabiltiy S/C
thanks
MT
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Josephine...in regards to your hands sweating...
When a person has gone through a traumatic experiance each persons stress or aniexty will manifest in differnt ways...I believe the reason your hands become sweaty is because when you are hurting emotionally which leads to stress which you then externalize it..and in your case your stress or aniexety comes out by sweaty palms..
Ask your doctor is it possible that your sweaty hands are manifested due to your aniexty (it may be because you don't feel that you are believed that the event took place by the VA)...I bet it is...and the doctor can word it as such ...as an external visual of your aniexity.
I hope this helps
MT
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hello...
go to this web site..this has all the VA ratings on the heart and the critira
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOO...ART4/S4_104.DOC
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I've been reading the post on this thread...You will prevail with your claim...this is what I think or maybe I should say feel...sometimes when we post here in hadit it is for information on regs ect...to make sure we covered all our basis...and even after we have done everything we believe is correct and the packet is sent in...then the wait and it starts to eat at us...that is Part of PTSD...it is axiety and due to that stress one with PTSD needs confirmation that there is hope...that he or she has a more then good chance of prevailing...yet at the same time we have already set ourselves up for the worst case and in the back of your mind you are already starting to get things in order for your appeal...I know first hand what it feels like..but I am one of the luckey ones...and the wait was not long at all...
But anyways...I do not know what horrors you encountered while serving our country and I am truly sorry that in the course of being a True American that you became injured...and if I could reach across this screen and absorb all your pain I would...but that is not possible ...so I will keep you in my thoughts and add you to my prayer list that you will receive a favorable decision so you can then begin to heal.
God Speed
MT
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me again, You know I was looking at my wifes SMR's and there are a few statements in there that the VA should have caught being proof of some type of nexus to her claim.. Such as being "harassed" and "requesting a transfer", but of course you have to make an effort to read these document to. Could this be a CUE?
Hello...
on the SMR's did it state anywhere what kind of harassement it was? and description of the harassement...earlier in one of your posts I think you mentioned that there were 2 statements that were submitted by a capt. as regards to your wife being haressed (was it stated as sexual?) if so that can be linked to the statements in her SMR's...also requesting a transfer if it was quite sudden that also can be an indication that something was not right with her duty stationed...that is where a buddy statement is critical...if someone can substansiate that she was being sexual harassed by other memebers of her work enviroment that would support her request for a transfer.
A claim for compensatation for MST is no walk in the park if the claim is not developed in a clear picture...
One of the things that were taken into concideration for my grant for SC for MST was that I made a "Time Line" of events that took place and any evidence I had no matter how minor I listed under that time frame...
for example...I filed that In Jan 1979 ..on this date this occured then I listed what happened that month and assigned a letter (a, b,c, ect...) for any evidence I had for that month...to include Dr. Appointments ect. If you wife wrote letters to loved ones at that time those will be taken as evidence...any phone records you have as to calling loved ones back home can be listed it shows an increase in contacting loved ones...also if there was a change in dress and appearance that could also indicate that something was not right...
I don't know what happened but a timeline would help the VA termendously...they can then cross referance the information you send...on the time line use bullets...then referance the bullet to the evidence letter (a, b, c. ect...) so they can go and read it...
I hope this makes sence...
I have kept you in my thoughts and prayers...and will continue..
MT
Ptsd Possible 2ndary Acute Stress Disorder
in VA Disability Claims Research
Posted
Spike Wrote..
"Would it be an easy association between the two, I feel both of these.....and i wonder if im being treated for the right one or if they both could be existant of one or the other"
What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD?
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that involves a very specific reaction following exposure to an extremely traumatic event or stressor (e.g., a serious injury to oneself, witnessing an act of violence, hearing about something horrible that has happened to someone you are close to).
Data from a number of studies indicates that between 51 and 89 percent of adults are exposed to at least one potentially traumatizing event in their lifetime. An immediate stress reaction (including many of the symptoms of PTSD) that disrupts daily functioning for a short time is a normal response to a traumatic event. How a person copes with his or her immediate reaction to the trauma, as well as other psychological and biological factors appear to contribute to the risk of developing more prolonged difficulties, including full blown PTSD. The prevalence rates of PTSD vary depending on the study reviewed. In one study, the lifetime prevalence rate of PTSD was 8%.
What is Acute Stress Disorder?
Like PTSD, acute stress disorder is an anxiety disorder that involves a very specific reaction following exposure to a traumatic event or stressor (e.g., a serious injury to oneself, witnessing an act of violence, hearing about something horrible that has happened to someone you are close to). However, the duration of acute stress disorder is shorter than that for PTSD. For a diagnosis of acute stress disorder, the full range of symptoms must be present for at least two days and no more than four weeks. If the symptoms persist for longer than four weeks, a diagnosis of PTSD should be considered. It is normal to have some symptoms following a trauma and a diagnosis of acute stress disorder is given only if all the necessary features are present
hope this helps...
MT