Commander Bob

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

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

Good Morning. I just read this thread. it stretches back over a year. You have had an amazing year. I remember being stuck in a medical hold unit at Ft. Gordon Hosp, GA, in 1968. We had a couple of guys in the unit, that had hadit and just wanted to go home. So they did. I hope they got their discharges corrected. I remember one severely wounded sgt. He came back to the unit, after about 90 days AWOL. He got busted down to a pvt. Sad story. I hope he is ok now. I truly appreciate why you left that med holdover platoon. That should never be held against you. Only someone who was never there could not understand why you split, when you did. Did you get your discharge papers squared away? Congratulations for hanging in there another year. Good luck and best wishes for a successful new year.

Good Morning Brian, I had a couple of 10 percenters reduced to 0, over the years. The malaria disability had an automatic reduction to 0 after a year because I didn't have a reoccurrence. Another 10% sc disability cleared up and though it's still on the books, it's now rated 0. This was a long time ago. Where is the CUE? Good luck.

Did you know that a new law allows retirees with under 20 years of active service, to recive retirement and V.A. comp. When filing for military CRSC retirement pay for combat wounded vets with PTSD, be sure your VASRD code# is listed as 9411. I was rated many years ago, before PTSD was recognized in 1980. My old VARSD # is not considered combat related. I now had to reaply for PTSD with the V.A.. I requested that the PTSD origin date go back to my first PTSD type rating date of 1978. I don't know if they will do it. I got my first CRSC Army retirement pay check this month. Hold on to your hats,...$42.00 a month.

Thanks rentalguy1, Your right. Of course I should, and will give her the benefit of the doubt. I feel better about it already. Jut glad that part is over. But you should have seen her. Her borrowed power leake out all over me. Ha ha. Your wisdom is reflected in your last words...I'll know exactly her C&P input, in a few weeks. Thanks again for talking me down.