Andyman73

@Buck52, thanks again for sharing your knowledge on this topic. Andy

L, not only do I agree with you, but I think it's time women got their due in all aspects of life. Semper Fi

Broncovet, I think 4 separate incidences of MST would certainly be a candidate for cause of my ED. Thanks for your input, Broncovet, always informative and supportive. Semper Fi.

@Buck52 thank you for that info. I will call and get that ball rolling. I only noticed the change in performance after recovering the memories of my MST. I think it's more psychological than physical. And haven't had relations with wife in 18 months or longer now. Kind of a moot point as we're no longer together. But our physical intimacy was always weak at best. She won't lift a finger to help anyway. As for meds...not on any for ptsd from VA. I am prescribed something from private dr, but that's only been 4 months now. The loss of function predates that by a wide margin. AS always Buck, I appreciate and value your thoughts and opinions. Semper Fi

Bump

Recently I was DX and granted SCD for PTSD due to personal trauma (MST). I have also noticed a dramatic reduction in performance capabilities as well. I have not mentioned this to any of my doctors, VA or private. It's been hard enough to admit to the MST, without having to add the ED to it. But I've reached a point where I can no longer ignore it. I'm only 44 years old and have far too much life left to live to continue ignoring the ED. I'd like to hear any suggestions or guidance as to the best way to file a claim for this as secondary to my SCD PTSD. Any and all suggestions from all parties are welcome. Also, should I start with making an appointment with my PCP? Thank you to all who read and respond to this delicate and humbling matter. Semper Fi Andy

@Broken Cat, I know it's been about 6 weeks since your last post. My name is Andrew, you may call me that or Andy, or even my username. I am a male MST survivor. I was assaulted 4 times during a 2 year period of my 6 years in the Marines. I was in '92-'98, and 3 of the 4 occurred before DADT was enacted. The 2 middle sa were by the same male predator. Anyway...I have not one single shred of physical evidence. And there are no known reports from when I was caught attempting suicide at my work station, either. From that came....nothing, no mental or medical health evaluations. I began experiencing PTSD that year...1994, attempted to kill myself 7 times over an 18 month span, ending with my final attempt, the night following my 4th and last MST. Things just went away, I was so much more concerned with being falsely outed as gay by the male predator, and the effects that would have on my life in the Marines. It wasn't until January of last year that my memories came back. I called my local MST Coordinator, and she got the ball rolling by sending me the appropriate forms to fill out for PTSD due to personal trauma (MST). I did it all myself. No VSOs,...which I've only had bad luck and worse luck with. Claim was filed March 29th. Claim was decided and granted me 50% about 90 days later. I had my retro check by July 3rd. While they lowballed me by ignoring the suicide attempts and ideation, which is only in the 70 and 100% rating blocks, it only took 90 days. And this was all with no reports or physical evidence. I am so very very sorry this happened to you. I am quite glad your husband is very supportive of you. My wife was very much not. Nonetheless, I survive. If at any time you have any questions or just want to chat with a fellow MST survivor, I am more than game for that. I do hope you get your 100%. You deserve it. Semper Fi Andy

ardodd, I’ve been reading along, but haven’t chimed in as my own experience is more along the lines of yours, than not. I just wanted to let you know that I support you.

I finally told my therapist about some of the CSA/R from my earliest years. I'm not convinced at all, that it won't blow up in my face, and cause my rating to be reduced.

Oh yes of course, I hadn’t even thought of that. I was thinking about treatment options. Thanks, @Tbird

Now that the VA is officially recognizing CPTSD, or complex-PTSD, does anybody have any understanding or knowledge regarding this? And if so, How do we get our therapists to assess us for cptsd? Thank you for reading this. Info regarding CPTSD can be found here; https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd-overview/complex-ptsd.asp

This is just my two cents worth in my State, PA. I spoke with a divorce lawyer to weigh my options for when I leave my abusive wife. In PA, your VA comp is only considered towards alimony or spousal support if you don't have any other income or are retired, and the VA comp is the only or main source of income. Otherwise generally not allowed by law for settlement. Child support is a whole nuther animal all together. In PA, VA comp IS included in tabulating amount of child support. Also, in PA, child support gets re-evaluated every 3 years, and is adjusted up or down as needed. But, if you are working and/or have joint custody(even if the kid/s reside with other parent, and have kids in your health insurance, that gets factored in as monies you are already paying. Like already mentioned...lawyer up!!! Protecting yourself will ALSO benefit your children. Even if only indirectly...they would be better off emotionally if Daddy isn't destitute and homeless cuz mommy screwed him over. But seeing you making it and doing okay, with even just a few bucks to spend on them when they are with you, would do them wonders.

@QuietNow, thank you for taking the time to write. I do experience all of these. So many other things are really mucking up the whole thing. Abusive wife, memories of child abuse and child sexual assaults and rapes. It keeps getting worse.

Bump

@deerdown I really hope you get the SC you deserve, for the ptsd due to MST.

@deerdown I just want to tell you that you aren't alone. Hope you're doing okay.

Been a while, hope you're okay. You're not alone in this MST survivor bracket. I too, am attempting to survive this. Andy

@SoulArcher, I am joining up with @MKAH to sit with and support you. Also to follow your claim as you share here. I am going to share a website here, with you, MK can check it out as well. It's called Pandora's Aquarium. http://Pandy's.org It's similar to Hadit, but is for survivors of all manner of sexual assault. They also have a zero tolerance policy for victim shaming/blaming. There are survivors from all over the world. Make and female. And a few Veterans as well. Some survivors have only one experience, some have many, like myself. And yes it is the very same that singer Tori Amos sang about.

Good luck

Got a copy of reason for decision finally. Called them 10 days ago before leaving for vacation. Was with mail when I got back. States: We have assigned 50% based on * Depressed mood * Suicidal Ideation * Occupational & Social impairment * Difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships * Chronic sleep impairment Goes on to say overall evidentiary record shows the severity mostly approximates the criteria for the 50% rate.

I have no idea where to go with this or what to do with this. I do hope one of the moderators or somebody can help place this in the right place. Last week on the way to work at 0440hrs, I was nearly hit head on by a wrong way driver on the interstate. I was trapped between the center dividing wall and an 18-wheeler. Fortunately the truck driver saw the WWD first and hit his engine retarder and brakes. The loud engine retarder noise caught my attention as there were not immediate issues, then I saw the headlights screaming towards me. I saw flashing lights in my rearview..the rig was flashing me over...I jerked over to the right, center lane, and before I cleared the lane markers the WWD screamed by! Needless to say...not an overly enjoyable experience. Every time I close my eyes, since then, I see those rapidly growing headlights. That night I woke from a troubled sleep...I was being choked out...I was being held in a choke hold by another Marine, in one of the rooms at our barracks at MCAS Cherry Point, NC. We were all drinking...had a good buzz on...and this arm came around my neck and another pressed against the back of my head...as I was blacking out, I dissociated, had an Out of Body experience...I was standing off to the side of the room, watching me lose consciousness. I wondered to myself, how long it would take before anyone would notice I was out and actually not breathing...it was at least a minute...no oxygen..my face was turning color...only after another Marine called his name did anyone notice when he turned. They all saw me dangling in this Marine's arms..I watched them panic and toss me on the rack. Everyone took off except for one....not the one who choked me out. The toss to the bed was enough to trigger my breathing again. Took another few minutes to regain my senses. Because we were all drinking, no report was made, no call to MPs, no nothing. Not a single one of those Marines ever asked me what happened or if I was okay with it. Did find out about a month later, from a female Marine, that maybe it was because they had been in a relationship that had ended badly, about 6 months before the choke out happened. Okay, that's it. All comments are welcome. Thanks if you read this. Okay if you don't.

I had filed for jaw pain, and do have 6 entries in my SMR. RO stated that the symptoms are not the dx or the ratable illness itself. Said bruxism and such, if not actually dx'd during service, then can not be granted as a primary. However, since bruxism is usually due to MH issues, they would grant secondary to MH SCD. I now have PTSD SC, so I am resubmitting that as a secondary claim, with a copy of the Reason and Basis letter as evidence.

BroncoVet nailed it! I was going to say same, but in more simple terms as befitting my level of understanding and education. As for DBQ question, I didn't have one filled out for my claim or during exam either...which I thought was unusual. Same for not answering all those questions regarding how my symptoms effect my day to day activities. Seems most do, which makes me feel odd for being singled out. Continue wishing you complete success with your claim.

Mark, Thanks man, I'm kind of surprised too at how quick this went. Still ticked off that they lowballed me, though. Really struggling with focusing on the win instead of the loss. I really really hope you don't have to wait much longer. I don't know how I would have done what you're doing....nearly 2 years into it...you're a much better man than I. Sure the payoff will be huge...but will that be enough to erase the stress of these long months gone by? Andy

@Buck52 It was granted to the date filed. No question there. Just was wondering about some dumb bs I heard, that was all. Nah...not gonna file a claim for that. No point...not worth 5-10 years of bs. Wanted to...but since DX is before ptsd dx...just a waste of time. Hope you get your meds squared away. Oh. Just wanted to let you know I start therapy, non VA based, for all that stuff that happened before and after the Marines... You take care, too.