Dennis1989

IIt makes sense to re-evaluate so people don't continue collecting when they don't need it.

Hello, I was recently rated at 70% for combat- PTS. I haven't even received my retro, brown envelope or any compensation yet. I am just curious how often the Re- Evaluations are. I have read every 2 years and have also seen some veterans say they've never known anyone to be re- examined in over 20 years of being disabled. I don't know if these further exams are much for PTS troops, rather than for disabilities like, anxiety... Or depression, which can be more easily healed. I'm not really worried about having a re- evaluation because its the treatment and therapy which I seek, that's important, over the compensation. I am just trying to understand the process and see what I have to prepare for. Any input would be helpful. thanks guys.

Thanks Talon. I am seeking help now and I will be in touch if need be. I am also available at all times. Stay strong!

Thanks. I am already seeking therapy which I look forward to. Thanks brother

I was rated for 70%. The claim was opened on 9/17/2015 and complete on 01/14/2016. VA treated me right

was rated for 70%! Now, waiting on the BBE.

Moved to "Preparation for Notification"!

Thanks brother. I guess, falling under the 50 percentile, yet with sever stressors and mid level symptoms... Is it almost guaranteed that I will be at 50 or can it differ either positively or negatively? Just wondering how much weight is on the social inoperability.

How much weight does the "social and occupational impairment" carry when it comes to rating the veteran for PTSD?

Leadbelly, Ebenefits is allowing us to log on but doesn't allow us to do much past there. for future reference, if you are trying to access Ebenefits and you're wondering if its your computer or every one is having problems use this link. There are comments if you scroll down by people with there issues. http://www.isitdownrightnow.com/ebenefits.va.gov.html

Thanks everyone, Sometimes with these claims, reassurance is enough to keep someone motivated and patient. I am still waiting on my "Envelope" from the VARO. Fingers crossed please! I'll post as soon as I hear something... Thanks.

Hey Berta, I only did a semester at AMU and that was while dealing with just separating from the Army, moving my family from NY to NC and maintaining a 50+ hour a week construction job, and the Army reserves so I kind of snuck through so I could finish up and take care of all that and my pregnant wife. While attending, my professors were extremely helpful. I loved it and plan to go back soon. That is funny about your professor, he was hard on his students but that's how you breed success... great for you. It says that you are from NY as well Berta. Where about? I am from Glenville, near Albany. I also lived in Fort Drum for 6 years. Looking back at my DBQ and understanding the points that a few people have mentioned I regret not touching more on my functionality at work and even in my personal life. That is the reason I went to the VA to start tending to my issues. By the time I was finished discussing my stressors I felt complete, like I finished venting. He requested that I didn't get too in depth about my stressors after he read my stressor letter and just wanted to verify the events, I couldn't help it. I am sure I will get a good rating that fits my symptoms. I see guys on here get told that they might get 30% if they're lucky and than get 70. We will see. Thanks everyone Dennis

Great observations Gastone and thanks for sharing. I believe the *social impairment with reduced reliability* that rates at 50% should at least get me that. Also, I don't know much about these but at the bottom it states the VA asking if "as likely as not" recommended for 50% and the examiner checked the box stating *Glenn IS at least likely as not in the 50% or more probability*. Like I said, I don't know much about these and certainly not as much as you so I appreciate your input. I am in the waiting phase so I am getting anxious and that seems to be the biggest issue with all of these stories. Dennis

I definitely will Buck. Have you tried clicking on it? It should give you an option to zoom in. Regardless, I will have my results here as soon as I get them! Dennis

Oh.

Hey everyone, My claim has been processed and is now awaiting decision but fortunately its been about 90 days since I filed the claim. I am attaching scanned pages of my DBQ because I am super UN- computer savvy but they're clear and mostly direct. I was going to leave out some personal stuff, as it is written pretty poorly due to my fast talking. Please let me know what you think. Thank you in advance. EDIT: Thanks for pushing me to get rid of private information, Pete.

Preparation for Decision! Moving along....

anything Jcox? I just had my exam done as well, on Monday.

Thank you all for your advice. It has helped me so much this far. I just had my C&P exam this morning. I started off extremely nervous and almost left before even checking in. I worked up the courage to sign in and let the Doc guide me from there. To start off, he was very gentile and understanding. He cared tremendously about not just the exam but my future and the help that I was seeking. I was almost completely relaxed by the time he got me to his office. Finally, he started asking me questions about my past, realized it was all pretty normal. Than he said, "I see your stressors and they're very direct. I don't want to pick at you too much but would you feel comfortable talking about them?" I took a deep breathe and released it. I said, "stop me if you notice I am going off the deep end, of course I will tell you about why I think I feel the way I do, that is why I'm here". So I went on to tell him about my first deployment and he noticed that I was getting a little emotional, and uncomfortable and he stopped me. He told me that before I go on, he wants me to promise that I will seek further attention maybe through therapy or group discussions. I agreed, he told me to continue. Multiple times he had a blank stare on his face and thanked me. He kind of repeated what I was saying so I was assured he was honestly listening. He later asked me what emotions I felt the most and which ones affected me the hardest so I went on to discuss how disconnect, anxiety, depression, numbness, anger and regret have completely destroyed my ability to interact, professionally and even at home. He was truly concerned and wanted to help. He told me that he see's my symptoms are completely service connected. Over all, I would say it went great, I feel a little better, a weight has definitely been lifted off my shoulders and now I stay patient. Just to mention, the VA examiner I spoke with made my experience extremely comfortable, and I made sure he knew that. I am thankful that the VA responded to my claim in such a timely manner, I made sure he knew that too, and he thanked me for every thing, including my appreciation for his time. Thanks for reading Dennis

Hello everyone, I've been dealing with uncomfortable emotions since I returned home from my final deployment about a year ago. I've noticed an incredible sense of disconnect, anxiety and depression. I spent almost 7 years in the Infantry with 31 months over seas, 24 being in Afghanistan with only about 8- 10 guys living out of isolated strong points. We called it strong point warfare and it was extremely kinetic. I loved all the fire fights, camaraderie, air support, being a grunt. We had many replacements due to WIA and KIA... it was rough. Now, I live a very uncomfortable life and I'm incapable of relating or communicating with anyone. I just want to be alone, all the time. I received some behavioral health attention while still on active duty but that was all. I haven't been diagnosed prior to this exam. The VA has requested that I attend my C&P exam, given my dd- 214 and stressor letter. I made my claim on E benefits in September and received my appointment slip exactly 2 months later. I believe that's quick and I'm grateful that the VA has wasted no time. I just wanted to paint a picture because it is helping me prep for my exam. I will be going to the VA in Salisbury, North Carolina. Wish me luck! Let me know if any one has any tip's or words of advice. Thank you all in advance!

Thanks again for the caring responses every body. This website is great and really makes a difference. Even someone understanding my pain, reminding me that everyone here is a family and that I'm definitely not alone, is incredible. All day, I have anticipated my C&P exam next Monday morning and have tried understanding the best way to approach it. I have been researching this topic for a while now and quite a few people have said to cry and use your hands. I don't do those things. Those "feelings" are gone, the feelings of crying or spending the energy to enhance a story. Like I said, numb. I am nervous and some what relieved that I finally get to explain to a professional, my problems. Whether they have ever felt the emotional abuse I have or not, I hope they are able to connect in some type of way they learned in college. I feel very anxious like I need to somehow impress this person. I feel like the examiner is going to say, "tell me why you feel that you deserve compensation for your so called, issues.". I want to answer questions, not run the show. What ever, I am just rambling. I have decided on which display I want to make during my examination and it is simply, to tell my story, using my experiences and my personality. So to you guys, I would like to share a few of the things that started all of this. I will keep them extremely short and easy to understand. 1. 3 great soldiers/ friends in my platoon were killed due to a dismounted IED during a platoon movement. 2. My tent was mortared by my company mortar team killing my supply sergeant to the bunk next to mine. 3. My interpreter stepped on a pressure plate, he was killed immediately. 4. During a routine sunrise firefight, my Soldier was shot in the arm making an attempt to get rockets out of a MAT-V. 5. I was marking targets for a squad leader when I had reached for more colored 40MM... he smoked me with the back blast from an AT-4. I came to in a cloud of smoke and during refit at the COP I requested a TBI exam by Doc and was told it's not priority. 6. There was a father and young daughter lying, in a puddle of blood, dead on my medics front wood slab. It was normal that injured locals were brought to our small outpost in wheel barrels, truck beds, etc. 7. Day to day basis, at a squad level, living in a small mud hut, in a compound, we fought any where from 3- 10 times a day. Good, solid, close, firefights. The type that give you a spike of adrenaline that you can't even find jumping out of an airplane during a high altitude jump. I apologize for ranting and in a way venting but I feel slightly better. That was deployment # 1, very isolated 12 months. My question to every one would be: From the experiences and emotions I share, what percentage category would I fall under? The majority of my close buddies have been diagnosed at 70%. I believe those men deserve much more but that's just me. Thank you for reading.

Thanks to all of you guys that have taken the time to post your detailed responses to my topic. I have received my letter from the VA in the mail. (Record time)... Now I am left curious, concerned and a little confused. Many of you have said don't go to your C&P exam without a diagnoses, and SGT Wilky has said that they determined his level of PTS *At that very exam*. I understand that every one has different experiences.. My good friend, former marine, has gone to this VA with *just the C&P exam*, where he was diagnosed and received his award letter with his diagnoses (never seen a % before) under 30 days later. What do you guys think? I better be there, right? Should I cancel and wait for my diagnosis? Thanks in advance. I also have another question. I am simply a combat veteran, that deals with constant company of extreme anxiety, depression and feelings of disconnect. When I say disconnect, I mean it and have created a way to explain it to my wife, as she prays I get help. Have you ever been driving home from work and realized "How long have I been staring into those tail lights ahead of me? Has anyone noticed my driving? How the hell have I not gone off the road? I swear I was sleeping and I need to come back to." That is what I feel constantly, with every situation. I put myself in environments like amusement parks to test myself and focus on having fun, blank. I play video games because I think I have fun. At least I know I used to enjoy them and my friends at work say they like them. I can't decide what music soothes me because I feel alone when I listen to it and something isn't right. ever .It. goes. on. and. on. What I am meaning to ask is- I don't want to anticipate this appointment and get turned away because I am too nervous or trying to hard. I want to go and talk about my problems. Will that be enough? I am numb, I speak about the things I have seen and don't blink. It hurts, emotionally. I feel like I am in a competition and I need to cheese D*ck my way into what I believe, I am entitled. I hope this post isn't offensive or stupid to you. Thank you for posting.

thank you Buck.

I don't have a VA diagnosis yet Buck. That is what I am most curious about. Will the VA, during the claim process, schedule that for me??

Thanks Buck. From my understanding, the VA will schedule me a C&P exam? What steps do I need to take?