KenK

Well.... I just signed my PEB and I am taking the 50%! Again thanks for all your help and information! ken

Sorry its been awhile since I last posted...but I wanted to wait for any new changes in my situation. Well, I just got off the phone with my PEBLO...The PEB awarded me 50% PRDL for PTSD under Combat Conditions! I am so high now! It took less than a week! I can't believe it. Now, I have 10 working day's to review it before I have to concur / non-concur. I know, take it and run...but in my situation I have over 22 active yrs already. So other than being combat related and non-tax on some (not sure what that means?) I would be getting my 50% plus 2.5% per extra yrs. So I am wondering if I should go for the gold? Could they also reduce the rating? These things I have no ideal about. Also, I am in the middle of my sleep apna test (they want me to come back for the CPAP portion. Well, thats about it for now, I'll see you all later. Ken

Berta, first off, I am so sorry for what your husband had to bear from our government! With that in mind, I am 46 (and yes that worries me too). And when I came back from my 1st deployment no one including me knew I had PTSD (though my wife knew something was up). The Army just traced my PTSD to that deployment (I guess b/c thats when I received my first CAB). I just finished the TDIU form and not sure what to include (other than my Medical Records), I will go ahead tomorrow and turn it in? Called CBHCO-AL for updated copy's of my medical records (3) for VA, SSA, and myself. They receive new records from my civilian doc's every time I have appointment's. And like I said before I already applied for SSDI. But, how many years will all of this take? At most, I have 6 more months before the PEB process is complete. Not sure if I can apply for CRSC yet? But, I have finished filling out the form. Does anyone know if you have to fill a different CRSC form for every VA award? Thanks also for getting help from the National Veterans Legal Group. I'll be waiting...

Berta, I know what you mean about the support a man can get from his wife! I can say in all honesty that if it was not for my soul mate, I would have given up long ago! She can coax me out of bed when there are times I don't want to even go to the bathroom B) . Which makes it so hard on me (and Her!) when I lash out uncontrollably. I am trying so hard to take care of her too. With all the info I received here, I don't think I want to go the TDIU route...I'm hoping to one day get back on my feet and I don't want the VA to use that as an excuse to lower my other ratings as well! I also might be 100% rated with everything combined, other than just PTSD. The only favorable item I can see about TDIU is the children's benefits. Now, I am most likely wrong there? I need to restate a question I asked earlier "The Army states in my NARSUM that my PTSD started during my first deployment to Iraq (Oct. 2004-Nov. 2005) does this mean that the VA will start my claim from then?". What I meant is that I was released (I'm a member of the Army National Guard) from Title 10 in Dec. 2005, and called back up in June 2006 (Stop-Loss). Wouldn't the time I left active service (Dec. 2005) be my effective date? I have to this point almost accepted my PTSD...before I would have fought and argued with anyone (and I did) who said otherwise even to my PCM Maj. B) . I now understand that I might be able to live with myself and give back as much as I can before my time is up.

Thanks for the help! I think, I might be getting a handle on it now...Just wish it was all over and I could start my life back again. Berta, what do you mean by "copy of your SMRS"? Are you referring to my records? I do have copies of all records so far. I finally let my wife have a one to one visit (of any kind) with my counselor yesterday. Not that I would ever tried to stop her if she wanted to go before. But, I was reluctant before because I didn't want her to worry..etc. And, they agreed that I am not able to work and that my PTSD is getting worse (suicide thoughts, etc...). I am hoping to receive at least 50% from the PEB and 100% from the VA. Here's a question for you guy's, If I get 100% straight off the bat from the VA... does that mean I can't work and earn more than poverty level when the time comes? If thats the case, rather get less of a rating. The Army states in my NARSUM that my PTSD started during my first deployment to Iraq (Oct. 2004-Nov. 2005) does this mean that the VA will start my claim from then? Also, really all of my claims except possible my appendicitis (I was in the middle of a test flight on my CH46 when it burst) occurred either during combat operations or hazardous duty, instrument of war. Since I have over 22+ yrs of active duty I rate CDRP and CRSC. But I am confused which would be the better program?

mountain tyme, Thanks for the quick reply, I have appointments with both of my Doctor's next week and will bring the info with me and see what they will do (I know my counselor will have no problem doing this). Now, I am not sure what "TDUI " is...could you explain this further...and could it affect me if I try to get even a part time job after I am released, so I can start trying to leave my house more (though I'm not even sure if I can handle it right now as it is)? I went to the local DAV rep last Friday and she helped me fill out my claim (took over two pages to write all of my claims down) B) . She also advised me to put in for SSDI, which i did by the net and phone, could this also affect me if I try to get a part time job too? Also, I've read on the net, b/c of the new NDAA 2008 law the DOD is required to follow the VASRD? If this is true, again from the same post, the the following is true; §4.129 Mental disorders due to traumatic stress. When a mental disorder that develops in service as a result of a highly stressful event is severe enough to bring about the veteran’s release from active military service, the rating agency shall assign an evaluation of not less than 50 percent and schedule an examination within the six month period following the veteran’s discharge to determine whether a change in evaluation is warranted. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1155). Anyone know more about this?

Not sure where to begin...I've just completed my second deployment to Iraq and during the process of Reverse SRP at Ft. Bragg was pulled for WTU (I never was medavac), and then later transferred to CBHCO-AL. I have had three operations - Bilateral Carpel Tunnel Release's, Right Ulnar Nerve Transposition. Also, I have chronic lower/mid back & neck pain (no operations performed at this time for these later injuries) and numbness & tingling to my lower extremities. After a month or so at home, my wife was afraid of the change in my behavior and forced me to contact my PCM. Thereafter, my PCM set in motion for me to see a Counselor (a civilian) then later a Psychiatrist (another civilian) for medication. I was subsequently diagnosed with PTSD by this Psychiatrist. Due to this diagnosis, I was later sent to NAS Pensacola for a Military Psychiatry Evaluation. The Doctor concurred with the initial findings of PTSD and found me Medically Unacceptable for duty with a S-3 and recommended for separation. I've just completed the MEB portion (being found Medically Unacceptable for duty by the board for PTSD) with a recommendation to be referred to a PEB. I have over 22 years of Federal Active Duty (Marines & Army combined) and was awarded 30% compensation (L/Knee, Back and Tinnitus) from the VA after my first deployment to Iraq. Now, I have to face the PEB and fight from being sc***ed too badly then fight the VA for compensation all so I may provide for my family. I know there's just no way I can work right now if ever again! So I guess I'm asking is what can I do and am I on the right track. Also, not sure if it matters, but I was awarded a CAB during my first deployment and have not received any awards so far from my second one. After all, I was just an attached soldier to the unit from a different state. I was deployed with the 3/20th SFG.