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mnsoldier89

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Posts posted by mnsoldier89

  1. On ‎5‎/‎29‎/‎2017 at 7:51 AM, Berta said:

    " I don't have the money for a lawyer, and am just trying to get through this nightmare of a process."

    Vet lawyers do not charge up front fees.

    Was this a claim for PTSD or for the specific diagnosis in the DBQ?

    Does any Vet org hold your POA yet?

    This claim is for PTSD and Anxiety, if I get denied one I'm hoping the other gets approved.

    I have been doing this myself no attorney although I've had some help with the VSO.

    They have not questioned my eligibility since I was on active duty orders for basic training.  I appreciate the help Berta I will look over other similar cases.

  2. In my smr's I told the doctor I had dizziness and chest pain, also difficulty standing in formation without feeling like I'll faint. She diagnosed me with vertigo but I gave her anxiety symptoms I was only 17 at the time. How do I get my 201 file? I developed a severe anxiety condition which effectively ruined my life which Is why I submitted a claim. Its unfortunate she diagnosed me with vertigo in basic and not anxiety. Establishing a Nexus is proving to be difficult.

    I was discharged from the military with a general discharge - honorable conditions due to "unsatisfactory participation"

    One weekend I sat down with my CO and first seargent and basically broke down saying I can't do it anymore.

    In my eyes my mental health was more important than the consequences.  I don't have the money for a lawyer, and am just trying to get through this nightmare of a process.

    Ignore the quote on bottom, I dont know how to delete it.

     

    9 hours ago, Berta said:

     

  3. Just got the notes tonight, he didn't seem very friendly..I think this did not go well:

    Is this DBQ being completed in conjunction with a VA 21-2507, 
        C&P Examination
        Request?
        [X] Yes  [ ] No
        
    
                                       SECTION I:
                                       ----------
        1. Diagnosis
        ------------
        a. Does the Veteran now have or has he/she ever been diagnosed 
        with a mental
           disorder(s)?
           [X] Yes  [ ] No
           
           If the Veteran currently has one or more mental disorders 
           that conform to
           DSM-5 criteria, provide all diagnoses:
           
           Mental Disorder Diagnosis #1: Unspecified Anxiety Disorder 
           with Panic
           Attacks Specifier
           ICD code: F41.9
    
        b. Medical diagnoses relevant to the understanding or management 
        of the
           Mental Health Disorder (to include TBI): Noncontributory
           
    
        2. Differentiation of symptoms
        ------------------------------
        a. Does the Veteran have more than one mental disorder 
        diagnosed?
           [ ] Yes  [X] No
           
        c. Does the Veteran have a diagnosed traumatic brain injury 
        (TBI)?
           [ ] Yes  [ ] No  [X] Not shown in records reviewed
           
        3. Occupational and social impairment
        -------------------------------------
        a. Which of the following best summarizes the Veteran's level of 
        occupational
           and social impairment with regards to all mental diagnoses? 
           (Check only
           one)
           
           [X] Occupational and social impairment due to mild or 
           transient symptoms
               which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform 
               occupational
               tasks only during periods of significant stress, or; 
               symptoms
               controlled by medication
    
        b. For the indicated level of occupational and social 
        impairment, is it
           possible to differentiate what portion of the occupational 
           and social
           impairment indicated above is caused by each mental disorder?
           [ ] Yes  [ ] No  [X] No other mental disorder has been 
           diagnosed
           
        c. If a diagnosis of TBI exists, is it possible to differentiate 
        what portion
           of the occupational and social impairment indicated above is 
           caused by the
           TBI?
           [ ] Yes  [ ] No  [X] No diagnosis of TBI
           
                                       SECTION II:
                                       -----------
                                   Clinical Findings:
                                   ------------------
        1. Evidence Review
        ------------------
        Evidence reviewed (check all that apply):
        
        [X] VA e-folder (VBMS or Virtual VA)
    
    
        2. History
        ----------
        a. Relevant Social/Marital/Family history (pre-military, 
        military, and
           post-military):
           
             The veteran was born and raised in Minnesota but moved 
             around a lot,
             ending up in various places in MN. His father was not in 
             his life very
             much. His mother worked for international Dairy Queen and 
             later as a
             pharmacy technician. His parents divorced when he was about 
             6 and he
             remained with his mother. He noted a couple of stepfathers 
             in his life
             and they were generally okay. He has 2 sisters and 2 
             brothers. He
             described a good childhood.
    
             He has never been married. He has 1 child, 1, with his 
             girlfriend and
             she has a child, 5. He and his girlfriend and children live 
             in
             Janesville.
             
        b. Relevant Occupational and Educational history (pre-military, 
        military, and
           post-military):
           
             The veteran graduated from high school in 2008. He attended 
             basic
             training during the summer of his junior year; June and 
             July 2007,
             finished school, then went back for AIT in September 2008 
             until December
             2008. He was trained as an aviation operations specialist.
    
             Following discharge from the Air National Guard he tried 
             school a few
             times but dropped out. He said he has worked numerous jobs 
             but because
             of anxiety and panic attacks isn't able to keep them. For 
             the last year
             he has been working with the Geek squad which he said is 
             generally going
             okay.
             
        c. Relevant Mental Health history, to include prescribed 
        medications and
           family mental health (pre-military, military, and post-
           military):
           
             The veteran noted that his father possibly had some mental 
             health issues
             as well as being alcoholic.
    
             The veteran said he has never been hospitalized 
             psychiatrically nor had
             any counseling.
    
             He said he started medications in 2011, on Paxil and Xanax 
             when
             necessary. He is currently on Lexapro, Wellbutrin, and 
             hydroxyzine as
             needed. 
    
             
             
        d. Relevant Legal and Behavioral history (pre-military, 
        military, and
           post-military):
           
             The veteran noted that he was charged with careless driving 
             in 2007 as
             his blood alcohol was 0.07. He was also arrested in 2012 
             for driving
             without insurance and missing a court date. In 2017 his ex-
             girlfriend
             went out of state with their child and they had a domestic 
             incident. He
             is on probation for 2 years. 
    
             He denied any homicidal ideation. He said he had some 
             suicidal thoughts
             on and off since he was 17. He is not currently suicidal.
             
        e. Relevant Substance abuse history (pre-military, military, and
           post-military):
           
             The veteran noted that he used marijuana at times 
             recreationally but not
             for the past 3 years. He noted social drinking in the past 
             but said he
             never drank heavily.
             
        f. Other, if any:
        
             The veteran served in the Air National Guard, completing 
             basic training
             between June 2007 and August 2007 and AIT from September 
             2008 until
             December 2008. He was trained as a aviation operations 
             specialist. 
    
             He left the Air National Guard in 2014. He said he broke 
             down in front
             of his CO noting that he could no longer deal with the 
             service because
             he felt that the weekend drills had become "mentally 
             torturing."
    
    
    
    
             The veteran submitted in his statement:
    
             During our training in 2007 there was a soldier threatening 
             to kill us
             by hiding M16 rounds. That soldier was brought into the 
             Drill sergeants
             office and a fight broke out. He was sent to a Mental 
             Hospital by MP's
             for the entirety of our training most likely longer. 
             Between that
             incident
             and the numerous heat casualties I was witnessing on a near 
             daily basis
             I began feeling like I was going to faint all the time 
             along with
             difficulty breathing 
    and heart palpitations. I checked 
             myself into
             Winder Medical Clinic on Ft. Benning and spoke to a female 
             doctor. She
             said I may have vertigo and proceeded to transfer me to a 
             hospital
             through an ambulance since I was having a sever panic 
             attack. I received
             treatment at both facilities and ever since I have had 
             recurring issues
             on a daily basis with Anxiety/PTSD. Standing in formation 
             would make
             me feel like I'm going to faint or cause a panic attack 
             where I would be
             forced to sit down no matter the consequence. There were 
             two deaths
             of heat strokes possibly more during my stay at Ft. 
             Benning.
             
        3. Symptoms
        -----------
        For VA rating purposes, check all symptoms that actively apply 
        to the
        Veteran's diagnoses:
        
           [X] Anxiety
           [X] Panic attacks that occur weekly or less often
           [X] Chronic sleep impairment
           [X] Disturbances of motivation and mood
           [X] Difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work 
           and social
               relationships
           [X] Difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, 
           including work or a
               worklike setting
    
        4. Behavioral observations
        --------------------------
        The veteran was casually dressed, appropriately groomed. Affect: 
        Congruent
        and oddly engaging.  Oriented X 4.  Thought processes, generally 
        goal
        directed. There were no perceptual disturbances.
    
        The veteran noted that he is anxious "24/7" though I noted he 
        did not appear
        anxious today. He said that is because he is on medications and 
        also does
        meditation. He notes panic attacks occurring at least weekly. He 
        notes low
        motivation at times to do things.
    
        Voice and speech, within normal limits. Intelligence level 
        likely average.
        There was no psychomotor agitation nor retardation observed. 
        Memory,
        generally intact.
    
        He goes to bed about 9 PM with some sleep continuity 
        disturbance, noting that
        they have a 1-year-old. His appetite is poor though weight has 
        been stable.
        Concentration is difficult at times. His mood is lethargic. His 
        energy level
        is low.
    
        He gets up about 6 AM. He works full time. He socializes on a 
        limited basis
        noting he has difficulty with relationships and can't do a lot 
        of things
        because of his anxiety. He said he stays home a lot. 
    
        He notes current stressors involve being on probation and 
        difficulty dealing
        with people.
        
        
        5. Other symptoms
        -----------------
        Does the Veteran have any other symptoms attributable to mental 
        disorders
        that are not listed above?
        [X] Yes  [ ] No
        
            If yes, describe:
            There are likely personality disorder issues; deferred, and 
            not diagnosed
            at this time.
            
        6. Competency
        -------------
        Is the Veteran capable of managing his or her financial affairs?
        [X] Yes  [ ] No
        
        7. Remarks (including any testing results), if any:
        ---------------------------------------------------
        STRs note the veteran was seen in July 2007 during basic 
        training reporting
        chest pain. Records note he was told he had a small heart murmur 
        but it was
        nothing serious. He was reportedly referred to his PCP.
    
        There is also a reference during a periodic health assessment 
        about July 2007
        indicating that he reacted to bee stings with "swell up, hives, 
        and anxiety."
        There were no mental health issues noted in that report or 
        others.
    
    
    
    
        Veteran seen at the Family Medical Center in 2011 noting anxiety 
        and panic
        attacks in class.
    
    
    
    
        Records from Lakeview in 2013-14 note diagnoses of generalized 
        anxiety
        disorder and panic disorder.
    
        The veteran has continued to be seen at Lakeview with diagnoses 
        of
        generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks.  The intake exam 
        noted no
        history of depression, mania, or psychosis. He reported no 
        suicidal thoughts
        or suicidal intention. He reported no substance abuse. He noted 
        at that time
        that he had been diagnosed with anxiety in the military at age 
        18.
    
    
    
    
    
        In summary, the veteran meets ICD 10 diagnostic criteria for 
        Unspecified
        Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks Specifier. This condition is 
        less likely
        than not related to the veteran's report of anxiety in the 
        service noting
        that there are no references to anxiety during his service time 
        other than
        chest pains, possibly related to a small heart murmur. Records 
        suggest that
        his primary anxiety issues began in 2011, much of it related to 
        work,
        relationships, and psychosocial stressors. 

     

    the doctor notes that Records 
        suggest that
        my primary anxiety issues began in 2011, much of it related to 
        work,
        relationships, and psychosocial stressors.
    However he never asked me how i was after basic training until that time like monthly drills and annual training. I was very disorganized and spacy, anxious, and reclusive. frequently missing drills, I told myself my mental health is more important than 
    them being mad at me for staying home.  That was the case for everything including work and relationships, and still is to this day.  I feel like i'm off to a terrible start to this claim.

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