Rick

The local VA rep told me I can't file a claim for ptsd because I wasn't actually in combat. I was a hospital corpsman at the Naval Hosptial in DaNang. I had so many patients die I can't even remember some of them. But I remember many of them. Especially the kids. I have been diagnosed with ptsd at the VA hospital. I have only recently been able to keep from flying into rages when something sets me off. I've been in AA for 7 years now, so I don't combine rage and drunkenness anymore. But my life for over 30 years has been really screwed up by what I carry with me. When the rep told me I couldn't have ptsd I fled from the office so I wouldn't do anything really dumb. Now I'm afraid to go back there. I don't want to lose my control and I also don't want to be humiliated again. Especially by a civillian who's never had blood on her hands. Or her face. I stutter when I try to answer questions about what went down in Nam. I sound like an idiot. I hate it. Can I somehow submit a claim without having to grovel in the local office? Appreciate any advice. Thanks.