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Andyman73
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Posts posted by Andyman73
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First off...you both are awesome, thank you for standing with me even when I could barely stand for myself.
The problem I have with treatment options is the fact that so much happened before the Marines. I wasn't effected because all of the memories were suppressed.
I'm too afraid of screwing myself by talking about that stuff.
We all know how the VA. Especially with mental health issues.
There are no reports. There is no one. When they didn't file any kind of report for catching me in the act of cutting my wrists....there is then nothing to show for it.
Now on Monday I will be meeting with someone from an outside treatment provider to be assessed on my level of need, for everything else that I've been through.
I've already been advised by several in that industry that I may well need to be hospitalized. That prospect is not exactly enhancing my over all mood.
Will keep you posted, Buck and L.
Andy
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What can you do with SI? My therapist knows all about it. When I had my C&P exam for ptsd due to MST, told him about it too...will it matter at the RO?
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If only that would be considered first time around...if only
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@Buck52, there really isn't much for me at the VA...because if I say anything about before my service, they can and most likely would drop kick me out, fast and hard, and claim pre-existing and or personality disorder...which we all know pretty much screws a Vet but good.
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On 6/28/2017 at 7:18 AM, awgv001 said:
I feel you Andyman73
As a male MST survivor, it seems a good majority of folks want to hand us (men) the rope to hang ourselves with..."you're a guy so suck it up" the old "boys will be boys" mentality playing it's wicked role in all of this. I'm just saying that the notion that women are the only victims should be changed as well as society's dismissal of crimes involving rape for anyone.
Funny you mentioned that. My therapist told me he has more male patients than female. And in his 30plus years of work, over all, 55% of his clients have been male MST survivors. And average time since it happened, to time of coming forward is about 17 years...for me...only 23 years. Society is one of the bigger reasons that sex crimes against men is so much harder on the men than women. Grown male survivors of childhood abuse are treated so much better because society does recognize abuse of boys...just not men.
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4 hours ago, sauerkraut1977 said:
Sure wish I kept my mouth shut. The VA wants to blame everything on stuff that happened before the military instead of focusing on the combat and how it changed my life forever. Hope the system gets it shit together one of these days and stops putting us though hell to just get the benefits we deserve and are entitled to. Take care.
Yeah, that's how they roll...screw a Vet every chance they get! I suppose it wouldn't hurt to appeal on grounds of they accepted you with a sound mind body and spirit. Yes, that will be a most glorious day, when the V in VA actually does stand for the Veterans, and not the system.
Take care
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I'm so sorry. What does ATT mean?
I do wonder if things have progressed to the point now, of offering help for MST survivors...well...the females anyway. So far I've been offered nothing...just like when they caught me attempting suicide at my desk in my work space. That's how little we mattered to them...
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Wishing all the best for you. Sorry about your childhood, mine was a nightmare too, but the VA don't know that.
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Nor those who suffered MST either.
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On 6/23/2017 at 11:03 PM, Victor Ray said:
I'm sure he didn't know and it's hard not to be angry.
I know and I'm not blaming him. But the ones who did know...they all should be held accountable to a T.
- Dagmar and Victor Ray
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32 minutes ago, Victor Ray said:
PTSD Service Connection dies with the veteran, but physical service connected conditions will be proven to be passed down to our off spring. We are so kept in the dark.
Hmmmm...so I never had an honest chance between Malaria and the meds and AO...wonderful gifts passed on by Dad. Thanks a bunch Uncle Sam!
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Sorry for missing this. You deserved it. And so much more, I do hope life will be kind and generous to you from here on out.
Semper Fi
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I didn't even know any of this stuff happened. And was at the point of dropping out of therapy at the VAMC, because it wasn't helping me at all. Then the memories started to show up....40 years worth so far...
Hey, once you filed for PTSD due to MST, how long did the whole thing take ?
Thanks for checking on me, I appreciate it very much. Seem to be fadin away on here...so it's real nice that someone can still see me.
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I finally got my dx for ptsd last month. No info on my claim, though. I was sexually assaulted twice by a male predator, tackled by a drunk female Sailor who then sexually assaulted me as well. I attempted suicide 7 times in 18 months. Spent 3 days in a coma on the floor of my room in the barracks. Even got caught in the act of attempting suicide with a knife. No help offered or ordered. This was all between September '94 and May '96.
Help was not offered because it did not exist. And male Marines dare not self identify or report being a victim of MST. That was a sure bet way to have your life ended physically or at least emotionally. Those of us of a certain age remember what it was like before Don't Ask Don't Tell.
My marriage of 18 years is dead. My fault for chosing an abuser. She fulfilled that task quite readily. Then again, I didn't know then that I actually didn't deserve it.
I know much about nothing. My dx is just verification of what I always knew, but never spoke up about. I would hazard a guess more Vets with honest ptsd keep quiet about it than don't. Same for war stories. Most of you that have them don't tell them. Most of the ones that go on about it are fakes.
Most of us with MST keep even more quiet than you combat Vets.
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That's awesome news!
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Tai,
Hey man, hope you're doing okay today. My disclaimer...I am but a humble man, uneducated and not overly bright either. So these are just my opinions....however I do have some life experiences that differ from most others, as you have as well.
IU = individual unemployabilty, means unable to work or work much due to the effects of your SCD and non-SCD alike. Such as in your case the effects of your ptsd makes it hard for you to go to work everyday.
Those that say you're looking for a handout are jealous OR ignorant to the truth. To help you with that you will have to do a few things...ignore them, if possible. Don't tell people about this. My twin brother made that mistake, even though he certainly earned his 100% . Certainly don't make a single comment EVER, about trying to get all you can. Most will take it to sound like milking the system and such. Now, that has no bearing on the truth of the matter...which is you know your own medical history and they don't. Even my own wife throws that in my face and I never ever made those kinds of comments, but my brother did.
You deserve the full benefit offered and allowed by law. Personally I think there should be a special category for MST survivors.
Tai, I am quite amazed that you were able to speak out to request that transfer, even tho it never went through. That took huge guts and courage and bravery. Wow!
Tai, I would like to share an online community that may be fit you outside of this one. It's called Pandora's Aquarium. It is the only online community for survivors of any type of sex based crime, where there is absolutely no victim shaming. It is totally anonymous and free. I have found it to be incredibly helpful. It's very much like hadit, in such that it is full of survivors that love and support each other in ways you can't even imagine. I know, as a guy, I felt completely and totally alone and invisible. But there, I am somebody. Even here I am so often alone. I know most here just don't know, so I hold them blameless...Ms. Berta is a wonderful grand Dame, a true national treasure. Buck is just an awesome all around good guy. And Tbird.....well, she is the creator and founder of Hadit...'nuff said! There are so many good folks here on Hadit.
Anyway, hope something I said made sense somehow
Andy
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On 6/6/2017 at 8:18 AM, MikeR said:
I think men and women that are attacked are not likely to come forward due to the memories, feelings of shame, guilt, anger, so often they need a caring person to pick up the torch for them.
Worse by than that Mike...for the men, they fear being re-victimized by the UCMJ, their own command, their peers, and then getting charged and convicted under the UCMJ, and then the BCD or DD. And never mind the worst of all, getting brutally assaulted by their peers as well. Trust me...that was my biggest fear back before Don't Ask Don't Tell was enacted by Bubba Clinton.
So....not one single person would dare pick up a torch for the likes of me. It may be different for women, can't say, since I'm a guy. Who would risk being seen as gay or a gay sympathizer to help male MST survivors while still on AD??? That would have put them in the same spotlight as me.... why risk their life and career???
Sorry if my attitude is ugly...the fear of revictimization and criminalization was much worse than most can possibly imagine!!!
Many can wear my shoes based on size.... but most cannot even put them on, much less walk in them.
Andy
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They are supposed to rate you based on the symptoms in the highest category. So, for me, suicidal thoughts, ideation and attempts should net me a 70 PTSD rating...
Again..supposed to rate you for symptoms in the highest bracket. So you should get 70 for that alone. Should be.
Others will chime in...
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Oh my goodness!!!!! I am so so sorry hat happened to you at the MST office!!! I never saw mine and don't even think I talked to her on the phone. I emailed her and went from there. As a man, facing a woman in that position is very very terrifying. But I thought she might have more compassion that than the guy. Again I only had email contact.
Please forgive me for being so ignorant.
Buck has such an excellent wealth of knowledge without even having MST experience. He won't steer you wrong, and if not he knows who here to refer you to.
I will stay out of it, don't want to steer you wrong again. I can't even think straight anymore because of everything and my marriage is over after 18 years of domestic violence from her....so I'll just go
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Hey, @bassrunnin,
just wanted to see how it all played out for you. I had my C&P exam 2 weeks ago, for my MST based ptsd. My memories were suppressed, so I was just f'd up with no valid reason. I, like you understood that PTSD was for combat Vets and not some "person" like me.
I attempted suicide 7 times in 20 months. One time I got caught, talked to my section chief for 30 minutes, then the Base Chaplain for an hour... and sent packing. No MH eval, no medical eval, no follow up of any kind...you see...I didn't matter, so they didn't mind.
So it was firmly entrenched in my mind that since I had no combat, there was no help for me. Hence the additional suicide attempts.
Anyways....rambling
Hope you're doing okay
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Just a thought....if it doesn't pertain to you than you can just ignore me
There are health issues that stem from the long term effects of PTSD, so maybe that what she was trying to find out. Also how unrelated health issues effect you in conjunction with the ptsd. Like me, for example, I have a lot of physical pain issues due to other injuries that I am already SC'd for. And that chronic pain has lead to depression, which then feeds off the PTSD, making the whole thing worse. So that may well play in your favor.
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You can always contact your local VA MST coordinator. They can also give you guidance.
Buck, as always...a good guy full of good intel.
Andy
PTSD secondary to MST filed
in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims
Posted
Found out yesterday 50% ptsd due to MST. Overall comp rate is now 90%.