billy2

Having PTSD does not qualify a person for a handicap parking space. These spaces should be for people that need them. If you are 100% for PTSD i would think you would want to avoid crowds and shop at night.

just, I try exercise and that makes me sleep pretty good. Not everyone can do this because of their physical limitations. I walk the dog four miles on a good day and it really helps. I have crazy dreams but not violent ones very often. The MH lady at the VA gave me sleeping pills but I really don't care for them. I find that when I'm tired I can get a restful sleep. Good luck Bill

Last month I received an increase from 50 to 70% for PTSD. I have been going to the Vet Center for over two years. I only go once a month and I can't stand going there. Just before I got my increase for PTSD I told my VSO at the DAV that I wanted to pack it in at the Vet Center. She said you don't have to go if you don't want to. I said that I am getting nothing out of it. I still go to the VA for meds every two months and I think that is enough for me. The last time I was at the Vet Center I told my guy that I had a C&P coming up for PTSD and he said why? I said for an increase and he kind of scoffed at that.Well all I can say is say is F*** him. I'm finished with him and the center and its time to move on. Bill

I don't think you can sell your disability papments because they stop when you die.

Hollis, I don't think you had a C&P today. You were sent for group therapy which shows you are in treatment. When you have a C&P its one on one with a doctor not a bunch of other guys talking about the good old days. Bill

John I took regular retirement and I was SC for DM2 and PN at 50% I put in a claim for those other things as I was getting out. I had heart issues and was told I had PTSD at the VA so the claims followed my retirement. I'm sure the PTSD was there since I left Nam but I didn't know what it was. Bill

Yesterday I received my packet from the VA. I was rated at 50% for PTSD along with other issues for a total of 80%. I received 10% for IHD, two increases for PN to 20% for each leg and 70% for PTSD.The effective date was 6/30/09. I was denied IU because I didn't show that I was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful occupation. I retired 3 years ago from the PO, which some of the members can relate too. I thought that a rating of 70% assigned for occupational and social impairment,with deficiencies in most areas, such as work.etc would make my case for IU easier. The PTSD, DMll, PN, and the IHD would make gainful employment difficult. I think I qualify for IU but the fact that I retired from the PO hurt my case because I didn't have a bad work history. My wife said let it go because I'm lucky to have 90%. Any feedback will be appreciated. Bill

To each his own. I go to the Vet Center once a month because I still have an appeal in the system. When my claim is settled, either for or against me, the Vet center is history. I don't want to relive the past. If they could wipe my memory of Nam away I would be all set but that is not possible. I don't want talk to some PHD or anyone else about my past or present. Thats just my opinion. Bill

Carlie Congratulations, job well done and thanks for helping all vets. Bill

Tbird, I had the memory test 6 weeks ago. The test lasted around 3 1/2 hours. I was referred by Mental Health nurse after I told her that I was having issues with my memory,etc. The test was pretty intense and I was exhausted when it was over. The test started with background info. We did number and word sequences where I had to repeat back the info to the doctor.We did puzzels and shapes. I had to match wooden blocks to pictures. This sounds easy but it gets diffucult. We also did a test where you look at pictures and then have to pick them out as they appear later on. The test is hard because you have to concentrate and think more than you do on a normal day to get these tasks done. We did other tasks which I don't recall at this time. The VA is supposed to call you back in to review your results but I'm still waiting. My guy at the Vet Center has access to this info and we reviewed my test. The test said that I was normal considering my age(62) and medical conditions including PTSD. It was good news that I was ok and i wasn't suffering from early dementia. Bill

Happy for you brother. Bill

They should just grant comp for PTSD to everyone so we don't have to listen to all this BULL SHIT

Chu, I think the Phycholigist at the Vet Center is there for treatment only and not for evaluation. When I had my exam for PTSD my record of treatment was part of the whole package. Bill

John, Have you tried Janumet for your sugar? It works pretty good and of course the VA doesn't carry it. My VA in West Haven only gives you 50 test strips for 90 days to test your sugar. I asked the fellow at the pharmacy and he said thats all you get and you will have to buy them on the outside. How do you test your sugar, every other day. I don't test every day but there are some days that you feel like crap and you may test it 5 times because its high Bill

I have posted in the past that I don't like going to the Vet Center and want to pack it in but I was advised not to do that because I have a claim pending for an increase for my PTSD. My question today concerns a GAF score. Does the psychogolist at the Vet center give a GAF score for our meetings? Who gives one? Does the NP that I see for meds assign one? I know the Doctor that did the C&P gave me one. I don't want to walk into the Vet Center and say everything is great because I don't want to be there and then get a GAF of 90. Bill

My journey I now see the nurse at the MH office every 6-8 weeks for my drugs. We talk for about 20 min and thats it. I go to the Vet Center about every 3 weeks and see the psychologist for an hour. BORING, BORING I got the impression when I first went to the Vet Center the guy thought I was faking. He would say you were sucessful and educated and lived a good life. Just because I wear good clothes and drive a nice car, does not mean that I don't have PTSD. He would ask me on different ocassions "Do you think you have PTSD" I said your the expert, tell me what you think? They don't know. Finally I had a C&P with a PHD shrink and he said I suffered from PTSD. I won my claim but appealed the rating. Now the fellow at the Vet Center believes I have PTSD in spite of my appearance. I never knew I had PTSD all these years. I just though I had a personality disorder and was a mean and angry person. Now I know and I feel much better about myself. There was something that caused my bad behavior. I told him last week that I was going to stop coming to the Vet Center in the fall and it was time to move on. Bill

I was at the Vet Center with my Psychologist last week and he brought up the subject of non combat PTSD. He asked me how I feel about the rule changes. I think he did it to try to piss me off because he knows how I feel about this subject. I responded that combat vets should get paid double for their PTSD because they probally suffer from both combat and non combat PTSD. Is PTSD turning into Boots on the Ground? Bill

I think that is a bad idea. I have no idea what you are rated 100% for. If you have another C&P for PTSD and they could review your medical records and come to the conclusion that you have improved than you could get screwed. Unless you can get another 70%, I would forget it. Bill

Test You looked and sounded great. Bill

Test, What color short did wear in that show with Lesterr Holt? Were you the guy with the dress white shirt and glasses or the guy with the red shirt with the vertical stripes. I really enjoyed that program. Bill

It sounds like PTSD is now like AO claims "Boots on the Ground" Bill

GREAT NEWS

My only hope is that I don't end up with any desk jockeys in my PTSD group on Monday. Bill

That's great news. I don't see many posts of sucessful claims recently. Bill

hedgey, Best thing to do is to smoke a joint before you go in. Just Kidding. You will be fine with the exam,don't worry. Just answer the questions to the best of your ability. If asked don't say anything negative about your parents and growing up. If you are presently in treatment at the Vet Center, that will help your claim. After my exam I was all bumbed out and felt like shit but it all worked out. Good luck Bill