Commander Bob

Your new PTSD pooch, will be a lucky dog, Tbird. Best wishes to you and your new found friend. C.B.

It just doesn't seem quite fair???

I would hope this new program would be expanded to all veteran's caregivers,someday. Historically, the VA has expanded other specialized programs to all veterans from all wars...??? I remember in the early 1980s, I helped with the implementation of the "Vietnam Veterans Outreach Centers" program. This was for Vietnam Vets only. Our motto was "Help without Hassles". Later it was expanded to include all qualified veterans from all wars. I am glad to see the beginning of a much needed program. We just need to keep breathing, John. Bob

http://www.caregiver.va.gov/support_landing.asp

~ Military Service Records ~

I can't remember, Papa, are you working on your appeal, or is this a new/original claim?

I have seen some of my military service hospital Dr. & nurse's notes & SMRs, from 1968, that support my claim. Plus a couple of years of SMC, that I let ride. Excellent advice. I hear you, John, I will need a lawyer to take it all the way for me. I remember the days when a lawyer could not charge more than $10.00 to take a claim. We were at the mercy of VSOs, to do us the favor, back then. I hope other vets in need, use this legal option.

Thanks, John. I now better understand what you are saying. Good Luck, William, Bob

Thanks for the insight, Hoppy. C.B.

I agree 'john999'. It compels vets to get copies of all files. It just triggers some vets to review them. We have to overcome that, if we are going to prevail.

The trail has led me to... The Keane PTSD Scale http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8827664 P.S. all this seems so dated???

Still looking for a connection. Maybe.. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10027151

MMPI http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Multiphasic_Personality_Inventory jmo... I would fear that in the wrong hands at VAMC or VARO, the results of such a test could be used against a vet with PTSD. We have seen too many misdiagnosed issues connected with PTSD since PTSD first appeared in the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) circa 1980. The MMPI found it's origins in the 1940s. Again, I am not that familiar with the revised MMPI, and I can understand how it can weed out the fakers, however, I am trying to understand how it could single out PTSD from the rest of the many MH disorders?

I don't know the full details. ...I understand, you think the VA will pounce the day you request a hearing. If it were me. I would send a request for a hearing today, and contact NVLSP, ASAP. http://www.nvlsp.org/ Bob

I found this ALS support group, while looking for additional options. http://www.alsforums.com/forum/archive/index.php My most positive thoughts, C.B.

'Autum', I hope you had a chance to read this topic from brocovet. broncovet, on 24 June 2011 - 05:39 PM, said: "This is important, or critical, if you are seeking an Earlier Effective Date. Why? Because if you REOPEN the claim, the earliest date you can get is the date you reopened the claim. However, if there were missing service records on your decision, that means you can get a MUCH earlier date: 38 CFR 3.156 C: © Service department records. (1) Notwithstanding any other section in this part, at any time after VA issues a decision on a claim, if VA receives or associates with the claims file relevant official service department records that existed and had not been associated with the claims file when VA first decided the claim, VA will reconsider the claim, notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section. Such records include, but are not limited to: (i) Service records that are related to a claimed in-service event, injury, or disease, regardless of whether such records mention the veteran by name, as long as the other requirements of paragraph © of this section are met; (ii) Additional service records forwarded by the Department of Defense or the service department to VA any time after VA's original request for service records; and (iii) Declassified records that could not have been obtained because the records were classified when VA decided the claim. (2) Paragraph ©(1) of this section does not apply to records that VA could not have obtained when it decided the claim because the records did not exist when VA decided the claim, or because the claimant failed to provide sufficient information for VA to identify and obtain the records from the respective service department, the Joint Services Records Research Center, or from any other official source. (3) An award made based all or in part on the records identified by paragraph ©(1) of this section is effective on the date entitlement arose or the date VA received the previously decided claim, whichever is later, or such other date as may be authorized by the provisions of this part applicable to the previously decided claim. (4) A retroactive evaluation of disability resulting from disease or injury subsequently service connected on the basis of the new evidence from the service department must be supported adequately by medical evidence. Where such records clearly support the assignment of a specific rating over a part or the entire period of time involved, a retroactive evaluation will be assigned accordingly, except as it may be affected by the filing date of the original claim. "

Thanks for the info 'broncovet'. We just had a question asked by our fellow member 'autum', that relates to this post. "Can Vet Have 2 C-Files?"

Hi 'autumn'. From what you have posted, and for your stated purposes, I would think (JMHO), no, the VA cannot create a separate c-file for your second disability claim. I would think the VARO would add it to your original C-file #. You also post, "i should clarify, the current claim is not an appeal. we gladly accepted the service connection returned on first claim. now its to get the secondary issues with my ms applied to my disability rating. so VARO has claim folder and its up to them to make a decision on this. for now, there is no appeal/BVA involved that i know of. You also say ..."there is very good medical evidence for my cervical to be SC'd along with medical complaints for it on active duty and years sense to present." Why didn't the VA include your additional medical evidence in your original claim? jmo ...If you connect the second claim with the first one, I would think that your eed would go back to to you're original claim date. If the year deadline on your original claim has lapsed , and if your medical evidence is considered new evidence then the retro clock will begin when you file a new claim. When did you receive your award letter for the first claim? Do you still have NOD time (one year)?

Thanks for the post, Allen. It appears that a wrong address could be more than just a coincidence... In the news article you posted, a wrong address by the VA, is the root of this vets problem. To quote the article, "Klobnak said he didn't know about the appointment, which was to review his disability status, because the notice had been sent to an old address". The same thing recently happened to me regarding a DRO hearing. There is a dark side to this so called due process, that simmers just below the surface of mistakes and incompetence at the VARO level. Obvious questions, like, How can my local VARO, Veterans Service Center have my correct address in 2008 and not in 2011 ?? It's not like the DRO's secretary was sitting at an old Remington Rand Typewriter, and simply made a mistake with my address. Being the inquisitive person, that I am, I learned that in my case, due to the tsunami of new claims, the appeals department staff was recently reduced to a skeleton crew, and the rest of that section was moved over to handle new claims. Could this mistake just be another arrogant, worn out ploy, to thin out the herd of appellant vets, by an apparently out of control bureaucracy, without the legal checks and balances, or due process protections we find outside the VA? I feel this just may be another small example of a larger problem. Sometimes I have to laugh at my whole absurd adjudication experience, or it would become so bizarre and frustrating, I would throw my hands up and get an aneurysm (insert exploding head here).

Hi Cals, You originally posted that you had 30 days from May 25th to respond. Was that deadline contained in the notice you received from the VA? Best wishes C.B.

'CALS', you posted you have your husband's DD214 MY older DD214, shows Item # 22. Statement of Service" b. "total active service". With the limited info you have posted here, and with your due date to NOD or request a hearing being less than 3 days from now. I agree with all here, who suggest you respond to the VA, ASAP... Even if it's registered mailed, return receipt requested. Please keep us posted, Bob