NJ_Devil_Dog

I just received my rating for SC PTSD, they rated me 30%, stating that I had a GAF score of 50, with 55-60 assigned for the last twelve months. I've only recently started seeing a VA psychologist in the past five months and I obtained a copy of my first progress note from our first session and he rated me with a GAF of 41. During my next appointment with him he told me that he gave me the GAF of 41 because he was worried that if he had rated me any lower his supervisor would've questioned him why I wasn't admitted for care at the facility. I am a full time student, however in the past year since returning from Afghanistan I have not been able to complete not even one semester at school. To make a long story short, I believe that I meet the qualifications for a higher rating. My question is: How typical is it for the VA raters to 'low-ball' awards decisions? Here's the second part of my story. I am a 're-tread', having served in the Marine Corps from '87-'92, and then reenlisting in 2001 with the National Guard. I was awarded the CAR during the Gulf War, and had already been denied my original claim from '95. The claims award I just received was from that re-opened claim for which I had to submit new and material evidence. In my original denial letter dated May 03, 1995, the evidence they reviewed making the original decision was only my SMRs and they stated that I failed to report for a C&P exam (which I clearly remember reporting for!) However in the recent decision the evidence they reviewed included my recent C&P exam, my stressor letter, current treatment records, my DD214 & 215, and 'mysteriously' my VA treatment records for the time period between July '92-June '96!!!!! I realize that I was pretty naive back then, after I had seperated from active duty, but I was diagnosed with PTSD well within a year of my release date (more like less than 6 months of my release date!) I guess that my original denial in '95 more or less gave me a false reassurance that there was nothing wrong with me, in retrospect I know better. I've never held a job for longer than 18 months, I bounced around from at least ten jobs in the eight years following my seperation from the Marines and I've even been fired from three of those jobs for incidents that could be directly related to my PTSD/stress! I'm doing a little bit better now, but I can tell when I miss taking my medication, even if it's only one day! I feel like the 30% rating is an insult!!!! I intend to file an NOD to have it adjusted, I also intend to file a CUE for the original denial! I would appreciate anyones input on how I should proceed... should I file for the increase first? The CUE first? Or can I do them at the same time? Also, could my PTSD diagnosis in '92 constitute an informal claim? What or where can I find any information about that? I appreciate the time you've all spent reading this rather lengthly post, and I especially appreciate any information you can offer me. Thank you all, Gerald