0351-assaultman

Hi fellow vets! Yesterday I had a C&P exam for a left leg radiculopathy (secondary to Lumbar Strain which I'm currently rated for at 60%). The doctor was really friendly. We went to do the ROM test and after my first test of bending forward he looked at me and said, "Well obviously you are in too much pain to do any further ROM tests." He didn't measure anything related to my radiculopathy. Should I be worried? Or is this a good thing? I'm worried that if the rater doesn't see any ROM measurements it may be flagged. But he made it sound like it was a good thing for me. He was definitely on my side, which is a first for me. Has anybody ever experienced this before? I noticed on the DBQ there is a box with a line that says, "If unable to test, explain why." He told me he would explain that I was in too much pain to complete the ROM test. Seems like a good thing for me, but not sure. Thanks! Kelly, USMC 0351 OIF Combat Vet

Hello fellow hard chargers. I'm an 0351/OIF combat veteran who was involved in the initial invasion of Iraq back in March, 2003. I witnessed and did things that were pretty horrific. The last few years have been extremely difficult for me -- and within the last year, in particular, PTSD symptoms have gotten the best of me and for the last 5 months, after being let go from my previous job (due to lashing out at several clients), I have been unable to procure steady employment. My father, who is a Vietnam veteran, told me about the about the possibility of getting compensation for PTSD. Until a couple of months ago, I didn't know this was even a possibility. So I did my research, filed a claim, and then entered treatment at the VA here in Southern California. Within a week, I was diagnosed with PTSD, and they prescribed me two sets of medications - Prazosin for anxiety/panic attacks, & Gabapentin for nightmares. I just started the medications this week and I've already noticed a decrease in nightmares and panic attacks -- which up until last week were occurring 3 to 4 times a week - sometimes every night. They've also started me on PE (Prolonged Exposure) Therapy which I'm doing but honestly -- therapy inside the stagnant walls of the VA are enough to give anybody nightmares!! But I'm grateful that the therapy is available. Just today,I got a notification for a QTC (C&P) exam at a private facility here in Los Angeles. From what I've read online, it seems this process is happening very quickly -- I only filed my initial claim on July 1st. What can I expect from this interview? Like everyone else here, I would gladly except the highest rating possible, since I really do need (and I believe deserve) the monetary assistance to get me through this time of my life. Can I expect them to have already received the medical records from the psychiatrist I've been seeing at the VA - as well as the notes from my initial consultation with the PTSD specialist? Also, with this examiner, do they go into the details of events that occurred while I was in Iraq? I really hate the idea of having to discuss those details again with a complete stranger -- it was hard enough with the VA psychiatrist. And do you have any other suggestions in general as how I should prepare? The medications are helping with certain sleep issues-- should I bring that up or will that lower my chances of getting a higher rating? Thank you all for your input. It is greatly appreciated...