I'll give you guys a little background. I'm an Army Vet. I served from '99-'03. My MOS was 51M, Firefighter. I was also trained and certified as an EMT and an EMT Intermediate., On my first active duty assignment I worked at the civilian fire dept on the base I was stationed, where I was on many traumatic incidents. Traffic Accidents with fatalities, Suicide attempts with some that were actually "successful", etc, etc. At my second duty assignment, I worked at the military fire dept. The only difference was that due to my EMS training, I was assigned to the Ambulance, where again, I treated many patients, suicides, traumatic accidents, etc, etc, again. I won't go into details. This isn't really the place for it.
I've had many of the responses documented and re-affirmed by the fire chiefs I worked for, and in some cases had letters written and signed by other soldiers who served along side me on some of these incidents. I also have my service medical records that show that I was prescribed Paxil in my last year in the Army for Anxiety and Depression.
When I first filed back in 2013 I got 30% off the bat, SCD for ptsd. I appealed and got 50% about six months after my initial rating. After gathering much more evidence, I submitted an appeal for an increase and TDIU.
Today I checked ebenefits (like I do pretty much every day since I filed my appeal). It shows that I was not given an increase, nor was I granted TDIU, naturally.
I'm upset. It's not just because I was denied, More of it's due to my Comp and pen. exam. While I have not gotten my denial letter yet, detailing the reasons why, I know some of it was due to the comp and pen. examiner. His report did nearly nothing to reflect what I had told him. How I'm suicidal nearly every day at some point, the overall depression and anxiety I experience, etc, etc. It feels totally dismissive in so many ways. Now, I know that that is their job, but theirs a few errors in the report that substantiate my claim of this. At one point he talks about a Dr. that was in charge when I was in "Day Hospital" (outpatient PTSD) treatment. He states that this doctor is the one prescribing my medicine, which I clearly stated otherwise. I'd have to look at the report, but I'm certain there were other discrepancies.
VFW is my service organization and I feel my VSO does a great job, but I now am looking for a lawyer to represent me here in Chicago.
If anyone can offer any advice or support, I'd appreciate it.
Thank You for reading.