Commander Bob

RE: CRSC...Make sure that your VASRD # for your PTSD is 9411. A VASRD # of 9400 or 9401 may not be considered combat related. You should submit evidence that shows your PTSD was combat related. Congratulations on getting the med. retirement. Depending on your time in service and your rank will determine how much $$$ you get. Most times, it's not much. you were very young when you were retired. around 7 years of active duty? I filed for CRSC. Got my first check this month....Hold on to you hat...$42.00 a month. sometimes, It's the thought that counts. Good luck with your claim...

When adding additional pages to a form, remember to always put your claim # and name on the top of the page your attaching...

sorry to hear about your bad experience in 1974,..."beat unconscious". TBI wasn't a consideration back then.... Can the VAMC test for that now a days? Good luck with your claim.

Well RonII , from what you posted here, it sounds like you got squared away. Good luck with the VA and your heart and diabetes. Your SC hearing aids and S C heart issues are covered.. Do you use Energizer ever readys?? Just to avoid the VA, I have paid for sc conditions and other sc things over the years. My choice. Your right, It adds up over the years.

Excuse me Carlie, I don't want to get too far off thread here. However, the photo collage spoliate issue is interesting as well. It sounds like a one of a kind relic. Maybe a local DAV or VFW, AL, post could donate the funds to have it duplicated professionally. I have a 22' photo collage in the shape of the Wall, stored away here. Its a couple of decades old now and preservation is very important. The history of the Vietnam war was not taught to our children in schools. Maybe a paragraph or a chapter in a school book, once in a while. Your friend's collage will be priceless in a few generations

1968 was a pivotal time in the "drug era" Hippies etc, and in Vietnam, and in the support for the war. I joined the Army, (RA) in 66, and was out of Vietnam sometime in March of 68, light weapons infantry, We had RA's and US's, as we called them. (no NG's) lol. ( long story) If my memory serves me right, the beginning of 68 and the end of 68 was like night and day when it came to drug abuse, in and out of the military. All we got when I was there, was two hot beers a day dropped to us, if we were lucky. All the drugging and increase in boozing followed after the Spring of 68. We didn't have a lot of drug abuse in my Company, or at least I wasn't privy to it going on. All that self medicating and/ or willful misconduct was used by and against Vietnam vets toward the end of the war and then into the history books after. it's a tough issue.

Outstanding m3jon,...It sounds like you got that squared away...Your post here, will help other vets who find themselves in your situation. You're also right about the chain of command,.. however you did "waste an hour" this morning, until you went a little higher up the chain... To every thing there is a season..... Good luck, hope to hear from you soon. ...Happy Christmas

Pride, shame, the brag could be a defensive cover up. Who knows? With what you presented here, all things considered and giving your child's Godfather the VA's benefit of the doubt rule. I would go with Carlie on this one. Self-medication. [purple, Let it go. There is also no way to know if this vet was self-medicating with alcohol. jmho, carlie ] Bob 92-93

For countless generations, including mine(Vietnam era ), combat related stress disorders were considered manifestations of poor self discipline or cowardice. It wasn't until 1980, the medical community officially recognized PTSD as a disability. For many years we were made to feel ashamed by both the V.A. and our fellow countrymen. Just watch old 1970's made for TV movies...etc, The proper diagnosis at that time was " Crazy Vietnam Vet". Easily dismissed as a nut. In the old days, the V.A. staffers would write up a "blue page" on you if you complained and then used it against you later. The medical community was slow to accept PTSD. Many of the older docs and care givers had blood on there hands, and could not admit that they were mistaken or ignorant of the true nature of PTSD. 58,000 U.S. troops died in the Vietnam war. Last time I checked, ( over 10 years ago ), many more than 58,000 committed suicide after the war. Over the years I have talked with thousands of veterans. I have witnessed many WWII vets, who tried to forget or refused to dredge up memories of that Great War, break down and cry 50 or 60 years after the experience. Trying to forget is an option, but I'm not too keen on the idea. I had to confront my demons many decades ago, and sometimes go it alone. I have walked up to the edge of the abyss in my younger days and found comfort in thinking that ending it all was an option. I kept that to myself, and soldiered on. Never give up. Never give in. Looking back and now awaiting the birth of my Grandchild, I am so grateful to still be here. To live another day, no matter what the night my bring. Just waking up in the morning and being grateful and acknowledge that the nightmare was just a dream becomes a comfort and a tool to deal with PTSD. Like MikeR posted here, "I cannot speak for other people with PTSD", only for my self. I am still here and no matter what, suicide is not an option. The sun will rise tomorrow, the new year will be here soon and I want to be a part of it for as long as it lasts. I saw a guy on TV, 101 years old playing golf. He didn't look a day over 100. Cmdr.B

Congratulations Hugh, and thank you for your service to your fellow vets. I remember back in the early 1980's, just after the wall was dedicated in D.C.. Massachusetts had an excellent Vietnam veterans advocates program. Very progressive state for vets, back then.

[ m3jon "I wrote many people, all agreeing that this is a mistake on the VA's part. I even got a letter from the veteran's service center manager that the debt has been cancelled. Yet, I continue to receive threatening letters that I owe the VA. So far I have contacted the debt management center, state representative, VARO representative, veterans service center manager," ] It's been 4 months and has caused many additional problems. It would be great if this was resolved this next week. Keep us posted m3jon , Good luck...B 92-93

Good Evening,...That's an excellent suggestion vaf. ... Thanks for being here. Good luck 3mjon. ... Bob 92-93

...I have never heard of the Fee Base Care programs. It's been well over a decade since I have looked into VAMC, until recently. I remember the old VA Fee Basis program, however you had to live more than 50 miles away....very interesting?..... Bob 92-93...

Yes I know the feeling, purple...Please correct me if I'm wrong. Aren't all VAMCs connected to medical schools. Well at least the medical community has stopped the practice of "bleeding" the patient anymore. Back in the old days, circa 1300s, a good bleeding was just the thing for what ever ails you. We have come a long way. I do remember when in our lifetime, we felt the cold shoulder of a medical community that did not recognize PTSD.

Simple fly,...yes, I find your post here yesterday notable. hmcquade, Hugh, From one Vietnam vet to another, Welcome Home. I may of misunderstood your 1:04pm post here, yesterday you wrote that you are a psychotherapist with 22 years experience. Are you in private practice? I have read some of your other posts & topics at Hadit. I wish you well in your endeavors,... I don't mean to get off topic here. I have heard of V.A. research labs that are trying unconventional techniques. Any volunteers???... Cmdr.B

m3jon ,...Well you can try handeling this mess within the V.A. yourself. It sounds like you have being going arround the proverbial circle with them already. Mabey if your local V.A. Director's office got a letter or phone call from a U.S. Congressional office, on your behalf, it will get their attention. Depending on who your congressman is, they may have a staff member assigned to work on veterans matters. Some do, some don't. No matter, they are there to help you. It's usually standard to sign a release of information form. I always made a phone call first and then went to the local office in my district and visited a staffer. You explained your SS# typo mistake issue very well here. Just visit them if possible and take copies of all the confusing VA letters you have been receiving. I would start with a phone call to you Cong. Rep, and set up an appointment. Old Texas saying..."Remember. There's more than one way to get to the train station. Good Luck. ...Cmdr. B

Hi m3jon,...Have you tried contacting your congressman's office? Here's the list...http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml.. hang in there.

Good evening rebago, Your son is most fortunate to have you for his mother. It appears that you are his greatest advocate. Well, you have found the right place here at Hadit, to help you help your son. There is nothing sweeter than a Mother's love.Best wishes to you and your son this holiday season and every success in the new year. Bob

Hi Matt, Your right. All things considered, it seems the VA came back quick with that part of your claim. Well, at least you saw this one coming. You stoped by "release of info" at the VA yesterday. Knowledge is power. Your on the back strech now, with the next two claims. Best of luck.

Hi Irin, Here you go... http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-...pl=%2Findex.tpl However, if your looking for an online web site with that download direction, and for claims, help and info too, the best one I've found, so far, is @... http://www.hadit.com Best wishes, Cmdr.B

Matt, The boss just came in and scolded me for using the slang word "Jarhead" in my last post, here . She said it might offend someone. I explained that the Mason Jar co. used to make the metal helmets for the Marines back in WWII, and that's where the endearing name for a jarhead came from. Good luck with your back & that C&P issue.

Yes, I read where you were a Grunt in the USMC. Semper Fi.... I was Army , my brother was in the Marines (Da Nang 66-69). I'm not familiar with Symboiax?, however, I am confident someone here @ Hadit, can address your reaction to that new med you dropped. I'm 10% PTSD. and tried elivil and synoquain (sp) back in the old days. I also broke allot of bootstraps pulling myself up. Good luck tomorrow with your Dr. & meds. Together you can find the right Rx that works for you. Hang in there, Jar head, lol. Again best wishes for a successful new year.

The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was signed into law on January 29, 2008 to include Chapter 61, a new component for Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC). This legislation expands eligibility to medical retirees with less than 20 years of service, effective January1,2008. Medically retired veterans must still provide documentation that shows a causal link between a current VA disability and a combat related event. Each Branch of the military has it's own CRSC section. I successfully completed my application process through the Army CRSC unit. I first called them at (866) 281 3254, and they sent me the application and helped me get through the process. It took a couple of months before the concurrent VA comp and the Army CRSC retirement pay started. For many of us, it's not much more money, depending on your rank and time in service, ( most of us eligible now, were just cannon fodder that didn't last long.) At the end of all the red tape and waiting involved, I'll take the win. However humble the reward, sometimes it's the thought that counts

Hi Matt, Happy Birthday. You must have been a teenager when you first joined the military. I have read several of your threads and am rooting for you. Hang in there. Best wishes for a successful new year.Cmdr. B