jenni2005

Greetings all, So right to the point, my PTSD has worsened since my initial rating, a few years ago. I have since started see a VA psych and am on medications but nothing seems to be going right anymore with my personal life or work life. I've already talked to the psych doc about getting on different meds or upping my dosage. But I've also thought that maybe I should try for an increase in ratings. I was originally awarded with 30% PTSD. I felt back then that it was low but I was too scared to appeal it. I see that on ebenefits I can just "easily" apply for the increase. Should I have my VA psych doc fill out a DBQ and the counselor I saw a year or two ago write a letter in support? How long does this increase process take? I have tried to do some research on the subject and can't find anything. My brother who served with me has severe PTSD. Does having a family member with VA PTSD help or hurt your own PTSD claim? I don't want them to think it's just genetics and that I shouldn't be awarded or maybe it'll help because it is genetic that we apparently can't handle war easily. How often does the VA screw up and lower instead of increase said ratings? What is your experience with requesting an increase and is it worth it? Do I need to print off my "records" from my psych guy on myhealthevet and provide them with this request? Another issue about this is I plan on filing an initial claim on a couple other disabilities. Can I do this and file the increase at the same time or should I wait and file one or the other later? It's taking me 10 months to do this initial claim. Between my PTSD and work and gathering evidence, I have till only July to finish this claim to be within the year. So I can't really wait long on this new claim. Any advise is helpful, I'm pretty much at my wits end and my life is starting to crumble and getting this off my mind and shoulders will be a relief. Thank you

So I'm helping my brother with the claim, much needed, long overdo. Anyways, his claim was at preparation for notification, decision packet is prepared for mailing. This was on a Wednesday or Thursday, saying it would be complete by Monday ( I know, their timelines are awesome! hehe) Monday morning I get online to check for him, and it's back at preparation for decision...I've never seen/heard of this notification stage going back, especially back 2 stages. Any ideas or has anyone had that happen? Needless to say he's pretty bummed about it, but I did warn him way in advance of the games and hoops he might have to jump through.

So I feel like I should know this answer (because I am dealing with the VA ha!) but I wanted to see what anyone else thought. I filed my claim in Feb 2015, denied one of my claims and received letter in May. Sent in NOD and all paperwork that went along with it in June, which it was received around the 9th. At one point, ebenefits had an estimated date of completion, but after the update, one of many, there is no longer a date. My status on the appeals page is "appeal pending-notice of disagreement" and that has been that way for as long as I can remember. The location is at "originating VA office". A couple weeks ago, I emailed the VA and got a scripted email back saying NODs usually take 196 days, bla bla bla. So my question, what is the next step? Is the originating va office the place where I had my C&P? I've heard plenty of stories about appeals taking years, so I hope I'm not one of those unlucky people. Also, if they deny this appeal (which i feel like it's written very clearly of my injury while on active duty) what happens after? Thank you!

Might be the wrong topic, but I was wondering if anyone knew if the VA would pay for me to ride horses for ptsd therapy? Besides escaping to nature, riding is one of the best techniques I have found. I don't have horses myself and to get someone to take me, takes time and money as nothing is cheap anymore! Thank you!

Anyone notice that it's almost the middle of September and that page hasn't changed from the "we apologize" error!? I waited long enough for September so I could see this new page and yet I'm still waiting :/

My letters changed as soon as the claim was complete. Good luck!

Thank you everyone for great responses! So far, my "general" "doc" (the PA I originally saw to get into the health care portion) and I have been talking quite a bit about all this. She is changing my medications again, this time to a muscle relaxer, cyclobenzaprine. I'm also supposed to get hooked up with a PT. I've heard horrible stories about having surgery, especially back surgery, done with the VA. It's a shame that vets have some of the "worst" care, but it is what it is. I can't imagine PT working, as I've done some on my own for years, but I'll go to make them happy. If by chance this all works, then great. But if not, looks like asking for radiation and such will be done. I think I need to request an actual doctor specifically for my back and sciatic nerve. Thanks again, first time posting and was pleased!

Hello all, I'm rated 10% for lumbar sprain. I generally have two different types of back pain, middle to lower when I'm sleeping and sciatica including down the legs when moving around. Couple questions... I'm rated at 10%, should these two pains be considered two different claims? Also, my pain toward the middle of my back down to my hips usually only effects me while I'm sleeping, laying down position. This hurts me so much, it's as if my back is frozen and i can hardly move. It takes quite a bit for me to be able to even get out of bed, thus missing work occasionally. I've been in contact with the VA a lot lately because of this and they are only offering a muscle relaxer, no explanation to what the actual issue is. Muscle relaxer is fine, if it works because I can't be impaired to do my job. Anyways, if I want to see about getting a rating increase, how the heck do I prove I have this problem, not being able to move, ridiculous pain ect. They only measure how you're feeling at the appointment after being awake for hours, being stretched out. Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks