wildcat

Hoppy, Thanks for your response to Jim S. and to a degree myself. I am very depressed to learn that the Army and my government "medically abused" me without any possible reason. I was a model soldier - no article 15s. or any other displinary infractions. It was a drastice "lack of staff/supervision" that lead to my over medication of Thorazine (chemical strait jacket) in order to be tranquil and VERY easy to monitor - supervise to meals, shower time, light outs, etc. It was a management decision...callous and indifferent but necessary in their eyes. Screw em. Imagine finding out about this stuff when you've been out of the Army 37 years ( 1968). The bad memories have reintruded my mind. How many other soldiers, Marines, sailors, military personnel did they "chemically strait jacket" over the years? I bet NOT one has been compensated for such unprofession medical conduct for as to do so would establish a PRECEDENT and we all know what that means. A well grounded decision for payment establishes a solid (hopefully) precedent to "pay all" who suffered Thorazine brain damage various degress of compensation - - Stay tuned - - - Wild Cat Bien Hoa 1967

Test Vet, My claim has not been adjudicated yet. Thanks for your direct evidence about LSD testing in the Army. I may get compensated for PTSD but since my claim was mis filed (for PTSD) I really should be compensated for "aggravation of ..??" Screwy situation. I guess some - if not examiners" are really tight on the medical evidence and adherence to the CFRs. Wild Cat Bien Hoa 1967

Jim, I would not be surprised if someone did give you an "improper drug" as part of research project. Look up my previous post under Wildcat and my episode with Thorazine. I will never know what happened as it was so far back ( Japan, 1967). I suspect - really - that I was given a dose of LSD in Japan just prior to going for recreation period. Once on the basketball court...the sky started swirling, all sorts of colors. massive disoreintation,etc. Scared to death. Had to be assisted back to the small hospital. I read, on the net, that Thorazine is oftern used to bring people "down" and "level out" from an "acid trip". Problem was they did not know I was a bipolar II and over medicated me with Thorazine for 4-6 monts. I was a zombie. My case is being finalized at the regional office...and I suspect I will be "low balled " or denied. IF I get a good %...a precedent is established and therefore more claims come in for this THORAZINE ABUSE. This was back in 1967..when the Army was critically understaffed in medical units, hospitals, etc. So when you don't have enough staff to properly supervise , counsel, group counseling, periodic assessments - you DOPE em up and "ware house em" cuz it's cost effective. Many military shrinks were "semi war protestors" and didn't do their job! They came on the ward and gave the patients a smile and a "wave!" then walked out. This really happened to me. I hope you have good military records with good notations - not chicken scratching writing - so you can write a good stressor letter and tie into "aggravation of mental disorder",etc. Be specific tie in pertinent CFRs to your situation. You have to write like a lawyer! And many vets. will tell you to "high light" specific evidence to INSURE the examiner reads it. The examiners have huge case loads...and if they have a bad day and your claim file hits their desk... ...well - - - -???

Hoppy, A big thanks to you and others for the guidance,suggestions, and cautions about dealing with the VA. God - If I had been so stubborn and insensitive during my sp.ed. administrative career "the parents" and staff would have had my arse fired in a " New York minute". I really appreciate the help and now know that I am walking in a "bi-polar mine field" with these examiners, board reviews, etc. As I told Jay last night on the phone...I am amazed at the "lack of trust" between a huge govt agency that is suppose to be helpful - but is not. It would help if we had fewer fraudulent claims that clog up the system and delay legitimate claims. I may get a "dime" or two or a denial - than I too become a "street lawyer!". I won't toss in the towel. Thanks again for the emotional support and guidance ! Wildcat Bi-Polar Guy Bien Hoa 67-68 "Old Goat !"

Give me a ring...for clarification purposes (360) 798 - 3507 Thanks, Sully U of Arizona USC sucks !

John, I agree and will get a very good board certified shrink to write an opinion- with all the legal jargon that the VA REQUIRES for any veteran to get their "just due". All we want is for THEM to be reasonable and fair in the rating system but they appear to dot all the "i s" and crosse very "t" before they make a decision. Wildcat

Hoppy, Thanks for the information and guidance. I will phone the Seattle/VA#800 number tomorrow to see if my file went back to the compensation panel. If I get a less that fair adjudication, which I believe should be %70 or more I am going to get a good military lawyer. This stuff is just too stressful to pursue on your own at my age (63 yrs). Yes, I agree you can find key supportive info on "Google" and I will do the same. The VA is extremely suspicious and cautious due to all the "fraudulent claims" put in by wanna bes over the years. This just makes it had for the "honest vet" to get a fair shake ! Wildcat

Berta, I did you reply to your information earlier today. But I don't see it posted on hadit.com? Did you get it ? Wildcat

Thanks for your help. I find it amazing that the regional office may not believe my shrink with 15 years as a psych VA examiner. I will phone the VA/Seattle 800 #..on Friday. They may have made a decision as to a compensation % or a denial. Wildcat

I have been reading hadit.com as a "guest" for many months now. I think the advice given out by Tbird and others has been excellent. My claim for PTSD,Aggravtion of "bi-polar condition", heart, etc has been in Seattl just over a year now. I k now this not bad as many vets claims have taken considerably longer. I called the 800 # last week and the person said my claim has been up to "the review panel twice". I can't understand the problem / situation. I have a letter from my LA shrink ( a VA pysch. examiner for 15 yrs. early in his career) stating definite aggravation of bi-polar "if the board is reasonable". I was doped up massively on Thorazine and in Vally Forge Hosp. 400 miligrams and was a "zombie". Some call it a chemical labotomy (sp). This was back in 1967- and yes I am a boots on ground Nam vet. Saw my VA shrink yesterday..."mood disorders clinic" and gave him an article about the bad effects of Thorazine. He agreed. He appears to processing me for a "major depressive disorder" rating. Or, that is the feeling I am getting. Is the Seattle panel awaiting a VA shrink opinion because THEY don't believe my private sector shrink of 9 years. I worked for LA unified school in south central for 10 years. I went "off on the job" to my supervisor and went on sick leave for 30 days. Had to be evaluated by an independent shrink before returning to a transfer job. I was a sp. ed. administrator too for many years and can't believe the extremely poor process to notifiy Vietnam vets of what is available to them during 1965 - 1971. In Sp.Ed. legislation (1975) all school districts had to do "Search and Serve" notices in newspapers, etc to notify people that if they had a child with problems- contact your local school district. This was LAW! Now as a 63 year old man with a stent in his heart, loyal citizen, I chat with a 51 yr. old shrink was in jr. hi when I started basic traing in Fort Bliss in May 1966. Should I relax and just wait for Seattle to make a decision. Or do I have to been more depressed in my November session so the Portland shrink will state major depression...and nofify Seattle Wildcat Bien Hoa 1967 - 68