Gyrlwolf

@Gastone-Sorry for the delayed response. Was actually in a therapy session. Continuing to try to tame this PTSD monster. And you sound like my therapist. She was like you've been dealing with this since 1996. She's like the decision made was well deserved. She wasn't surprised at the 100% just the P&T part. And that's because she says the VA tries to hold out on awarding that for PTSD but thinks they knew with my symptoms worsening it would've been unfair in my case. Thanks for all the info in regards to my new associated benefits. I'm clueless and look forward to my package to shed a light on my new benefits. Living in NJ a property tax exemption on my currently $8K a yr taxes will definitely be a relief! I'm glad I'll still be able to work. I'm a nurse and like being able to help others. But I'm smart enough to know when I'm having too rough of a time and will remove myself when needed. Thank you so much for your continued support. XOXO

@Gastone-Thank you! So much. I'm truly blessed. @Firewalker-No, I'm a nurse. I've been working (although with great difficulty some days) since I've been in treatment. I've been honest with them about working full time and the struggles, but was always encouraged to keep trying to socialize and not isolate myself. And if it got too bad asked to be taken off the floor for a shift. Which I did. I don't know what they're doing now. But it's P&T and 100% strictly PTSD related so I'm just still in shock and blessed. Maybe my case is the rare unicorn. Whatever the reason they decided the reason they did I'm grateful. And will continue my therapy, praying for myself, and others to have the same luck.

@Buck52 Thank you for the kind words. I'm still shell shocked. Can't wait to get my official package and check out everything word per word. However when I go to EBenefits and print out my letters they do confirm everything. And I think my case is truly rare. And I'm so grateful. And my therapist is always telling me the same thing too. "You'll get better one day". And I hope she's right. PTSD is definitely something I wouldn't wish on my worse enemy. And it's 100% for the PTSD. Trust me I was staring at the screen over and over like "That's impossible!" But I guess not.....

Good Morning everyone. I wanted to first thank everyone whose given me feedback and who've been here for support, even if just by taking the time to review my question. I wanted to share with you the wonderful news I got today. As of today I'm 100% SC for PTSD only, permanent and total, and am still employable. I'm still in shock and still trying to wrap my head around it all. Waiting for my information package in the mail, but spoke to VA representative today after checking on EBenefits and she confirmed everything. Feeling truly blessed. So for all of those out there still waiting, keep praying as I have and will continue to do, and don't give up. And never say never because your claim could be that 1 rare unicorn like mine that ends positively.

Good Morning everyone. I wanted to first thank everyone whose given me feedback and who've been here for support, even if just by taking the time to review my question. I wanted to share with you the wonderful news I got today. As of today I'm 100% SC for PTSD only, permanent and total, and am still employable. I'm still in shock and still trying to wrap my head around it all. Waiting for my information package in the mail, but spoke to VA representative today after checking on EBenefits and she confirmed everything. Feeling truly blessed. So for all of those out there still waiting, keep praying as I have and will continue to do, and don't give up. And never say never because your claim could be that 1 rare unicorn like mine that ends positively.

@Gastone-Thank you for taking the time to give me feedback. It's greatly appreciated. Accounts are set up for notifications as you suggested and am checking EBenefits as well in the letter area. Right now nothing has changed in my "disabilities" are or the "letters" area, so I don't know if that means they've denied my increase and are just going to keep it at 70% SC for my PTSD right now or if it's not going to reflect anything until the entire claim is completed. I've heard sometimes the letter part won't update until the claim is totally complete. Regardless, I'll continue my therapy and hope to one day get a hold on this madness, but a increase would show that they've acknowledged that my PTSD has worsened greatly. But I understand all the wording in your medical records have to be worded and documented almost perfect or they'll just kick your requests back.

So my claim moved to "Pending decision approval" phase today with a completion date now of 11/16/16-11/20/16. After only filing my FDC at the beginning of September 2016. I wonder does that mean my increase request for my already service connected 70% PTSD was denied or approved? On one of the questions on my 10/2016 C & P exam "Which of the following best summarizes the veteran's level of occupational and social impairment with regards to all mental diagnoses?" (Check only one) She marked "Total occupational and social impairment". However I do currently work (although with much hardship which is noted in my medical chart notes) and my other symptoms seem to be a mixture of the 70% rating level that I already have and the 100% rating that I'm not at yet. So I'm at a lost. Does anyone ever get a 80 or 90% increase instead of a full increase to 100%? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

@10thFO Yes, 100% is the rare golden egg so to speak. I'm ok with whatever they bless me with. In the meantime I'll continue my battle against this nightmare and try to gain more control of my life. Thank you so much for your feedback.

@11cvolley-Yes, I'm aware that you can't claim two mental illnesses. The psychiatrist for the C & P exam stated she felt my PTSD symptoms were extremely bad and doesn't agree with the Bipolar Diagnosis. She even stated that in her notes. She feels my PTSD symptoms are so bad it's just causing me to have erratic behavior. Which is why she stated she was putting "total Social and occupational impairment" due to the PTSD. She was really nice. I hope the RO reviews everything to include my other medical records which will show the severity of my PTSD symptoms. Thank you for the feedback. It's appreciated. :)

Currently 70% service connected for PTSD with Major Manic Depression (due to MST) since 2013. (Was rated 70% for PTSD & 10% for wrist injury) Recently diagnosed with Bipolar 2 disorder and PTSD symptoms have severely increased in past 8 months, so a new claim was filed for an increase for PTSD & to add the new Bipolar 2 diagnosis. Had my C & P exam earlier this month and saw "total social and occupational impairment" listed in my chart C & P exam notes via MyHeathyvet. Ebenefits states my FDC should be complete between 11/11/16-12/21/16. And yes, I do currently work but it's become increasingly difficult. I've been seeing a psychologist and a psychiatrist regularly and they've both noted in my records several times that me working has been extremely difficult. But since I'm a nurse and they know I love to help others, they're both hoping I get 100% but am still allowed to work. Even if just part-time. Some days are better than others. Lately the memories have been extremely intrusive even during work hours so they encouraged me to file the increase for PTSD and try prolonged exposure treatment as well. I think since I'm only seeing VA doctors that's the reason my claim is moving so fast as currently it's in the "preparation for decision" phase & I just filed it 8/2016. They both feel the doctors missed my Bipolar diagnosis all those years while I was serving active duty and was seeing doctors for the depression in conjunction with the PTSD. They were like "We the doctors even looking at what they were documenting?! The symptoms were all there!" What rating/percentage increase if any do you think will happen now? Thanks in advance for any feedback and sorry for being so long winded. Just tried to give all info for the best feedback possible. Thanks again for any replies. :)