larryjones24

If I don't stay in contact, with other PTSD vets; I'm usually headed for trouble. In my case, I just keep making my bunker smaller and smaller. In fact I get more help from my fellow PTSD people, than I do from the Doc's and drugs. It only took me 25 plus years, to find this out. I'm not saying that this will work for you, but sure does help a lot of us. Good Luck Larry Jones 100% PTSD, SC

I live about 5 miles from, Fort Sam Houston, and Brooke Army Medical Center ( where I worked at for 13 years). So far I have meant 7 kids, that have recieved a Purple Heart and a less than honerable discharge. Mostly for missing formations. like dual Dr. appt's for same time. Some things never change, the REMF's that ordering these discharges, have never left the states. In fact twice I have just walked into thier office, when they are in uniform, no overseas ribbons, just the same old ones that, these type of folks have been wearing for generations. Most of us, know the type, the faces may change, but, the attiude does'nt. For the most part, I run into these kids at Wal-mart, about a mile up the street. Most of these kids, think that they cannot use the VA, in fact I've taken 5 of them to the VA to get thier ID cards. Plus show them with my portable Lap top, how to get get the discharges upgraded. The orther 2 thier dad's took them. I can't but wonder how many of these vets are out there. Larry Jones 100% PTSD SC damn can't find the spell checker

My experience with the Albuquerque, VARO was a little different. I had just completed the 6 wk PTSD in-house program, at the Denver VA. I wanted to give them the paperwork, especially the one from the Chief Doc who wrote that I was a danger to myself and more important to others. There was in all about 1/2 inch of paperwork, but this statement was repeated several times. Plus I was with one of their armed esccorts, the lady looked at my file, said I was lucky that my paperwork was still on the raters desk and took that folder from me and told me she would hand carry it to that rater, she was back in about 5 minutes. She told me the rater had done a quick read and I would have the results soon. Who knows maybe I screwed up someones coffee break. I should note that after 6 years of running into one brick wall after another, and seeing my C- file for the first time, I seen where they had for years sending my denial letters to the wrong address and sometimes to the right address. It seem that most of denials went to the wrong address. That C-file had a stuff in there for other guys, it even showed where I owed the VA $2.10 for a book, from my college days, from 1970. I should also note that while in Denver program I was granted a rating bump of 0% to 50% and that happened on the 23rd of Dec. 2001.( nice X-mas present). Anyway, to get back on track, that lady was right 2 weeks after that paperwork was turned in I was granted 100% T&P. Oh yeah, on the way out of that building I stopped at the DAV and just kinda dropped off a copy to them. As I was leaving that office, my sh#@head of a rep told me I was real lucky to get pass him. A few months later, I moved back to Texas. I know one thing for sure. the folks, here, at HADIT walked me all the way through the process. From becoming my own rep and just using the DAV as a paperboy. Too going into the PTSD program. At that time I had very little money, a wife, lots of bills, wondering day to day if I was going make it. Plus I was going into that program on my own dime. In fact I think that's about all I had in my pocket and needless to say my wife was scared sh##less. But people from all over, that I never expected came to her aid; even someone from this site sent her food and and a little money. Which has been passed on many times. One last thing on my third day, in that program, my wife was admitted into the Albuquerque VA for a serious stomach infection. The one thing I heard loud and clear from her and my Doc. don't leave the program. For once I Listened. Thank You one and all Larry Jones 100% PTSD T&P

I watched it last night, I liked it. In fact I watched it twice. It was fair and to the point. Wished it was longer, Old Dan, should have followed up on the screwed up claims process, with more detail. But it was only a hour long. Larry Jones

I've been there, done that. It damn near cost me, my claim. Some Shxxhead, told me the shrapnel, still remaining, in my right knee and liver isn.t really that big, he even hinted that it was self-inflicted. Boy, did I lose it. This was in the RO, in New Mexico. After that I always had to have a armed escort, into that office. In fact, at one time they where talking about me needing two armed escorts, because of my size. Plus the fact, that I spent 3 years as a MTI ( that's Air Force speak as a Drill Sgt.) Hey, if I can't freeze 50 kids, in place, without saying a word, I wasn't trained right. The long and short of it, it probably cost me at least another 2 years, of 7 year claim process. Larry Jones, 100% PTSD SC. and still a little nuts, I hope.

Like most, I was going stay out of this. I treat my award letter, as the result of a long hard fight, with my gov. At the end of the month, I'm always scared, that somehow or someway, the money will not find it's way into my account. I've had this feeling. ever since the begining, Feb 2002. I now have the income, to put a roof over my families head, and a car that I can count on. I'm more aware than most, how fast, that can all change. I to went from a good gov.job, to living on the streets in a manner of months. The type of PTSD, that I have, long history of getting to the top of whatever and then shooting myself, starting over, and then doing it again. The only long time sucess, that I've had is a loving wife ( almost 40 yrs) and a family that keeps me jumping. I'll take the family over the money anytime. My fear, is that they have paid they're dues. I want to live long enough so that they get dues ticket paid in full too. Larry Jones, 100 SC PTSD, still a little nuts, I hope

Just re- read my post, that all happened during the late 80's and most of the 1990's. It just wasn't in New Mexico, it happened all over the place. It was one of the main reason, that I stayed away, from the VA for decades. I recall one PT,when I was working at the Brooke Army Medical Center ER, here in San Antonio, that shot himself, in the head with a 45 cal. in front of the VA here, someone drove him 15 miles, to our ER. He did live for a few days. That was around 1985. It didn't make the locale news here, either. Damnest thing. right across the street from the VAMC, is a level 1 TRAUMA center. At least we kept him alive, long enough for his two daughters to get here. Oh yeah, one other thing I recall, both daughters appeared to living very well, plus they where both, hell of wheels. I felt sorry for they're husbands, even though I was only exposed to them for several min.

During then"s, at least twice a year for over a decade, vets shot themselves, in front of the flag pole, at the Albq. New Mexico VA. That was before computers, put all of us in touch with one another. ( I sure did come close of being one of them), that is before I found hadit and realized I was not alone in all of this. Oh yeah, for a while, it was not even newsworthy. With all the new war vets coming home, wonder how long till it starts, again. Who knows, it probably has.

Been there done that. Transfered from New Mexico to South Texas. Had to do the 214 thing, again, show the 100% letter. Plus, I had go through a process of being treated as if I was new to the system. wait for assignment of new doc, plus renewal of previous drugs. Thank God, the people from New Mexico kept sending my old drugs, to my new address. I even talked with my old Doc in New Mexico to see if he could grease the wheels, He was and still is the Chief of Staff there. That had no impact here, even when he called the Chief of Staff here. I did get a call from A Pt rep. Could tell from his language, he was just foing through the motions. It took about 6 weeks, to get back to some sense of normal. But then again had the same trouble, when I transfered from American Lake, Wa, to South Texas, and south Texas to New Mexico. Then again thinking of moving again. I just keep all my paper work on line, now. I been looking for a new RV.

Just go to Med records, they should have all the summations and treatment records by now. They should be free the first time. Larry Jones

I spent 11 days, last month. in a lock down ward. I wanted to kill my plumber, as I reached for a knife, I had a moment of clarity. The 400.00 over charge just wasn't worth it. Even though that was a lot a cash at that time and place. The five grandkids needed to eat, ( they didn't miss any meals after all ). The long and short of it all, it had been about 4 years, since I had been in a lock down. Not since I was granted the 100 % PTSD. It did me a world of good. It helped with some anger issues, it reminded me how lucky I have it. Married 39 years, pretty nice family ( most of the time), nice home. Not living on the streets like most of my fellow vets that where in there with me. Clean and sober, since Jan 89. For the most part the staff was OK, 1 or 2 that really needed to retire. ( they have enough time), most know us know the ROAD. Retired on active duty. Just hanging on for the bigger paycheck and just do enough to stay out of harms way, but you can tell they hate VETS. I was union officer years ago at Brooke Army Medical Center, it was hard then to get them out. We just promoted them back then. Sorry for going off topic. Larry Jones 100% PTSD SC. still a little nuts, I hope.

Thank you for that Link. I'm sending it on to many others. It really hit home. As I've had to learn,(the hard way, what other way is there). My best help comes from other Vets. Larry Jones 100% PTSD

Sledge, Good luck getting rid of that label. They put that one on me, about, 10 years ago, in Washington State. It took me 4 states, to get rid of it. In the time being, you may want to conceder getting your pain meds or any other controlled meds, elsewhere, like Medicare. It would not surprise me, if the Doc. that wrote that statement, wasn't a poly-substance abuser himself. It's my first hand experience, that more than half of all medical professionals are substance abusers. Now that I think about it. what better place to put a doc that's having drug problems or at least being watch on what scripts they can write, than doing C & P's. Wish, I had a better input, for you.

I had to go through, the home inspection thing, several times. Before, the first one, I damn near lost it. I was worried about it. Hell/// I got a new laptop and wireless connection and wireless printer out of it. Like most PTSD folks. I really get worked up about things, that I'm afraid that I can't control. Larry Jones 100% PTSD T&P. and still a little nuts, I hope.