ATVer

No, i don't recieve SSA, is that something i need to apply for now? I always thought the TDIU had to be a 60% rating or a combined of 70% with one rating at 40%? Plus i'm 24 is tdiu something i should be going after? Should i do an IMO and then fill out the tdiu form to be sent in? And i am not employed right now. Sorry for all the questions

Here is the reason for decision. Service connection for ptsd has been established as directly related to military service. The cited "deferred rating" was requesting an opinion for the diagnosed ptsd however, this rating board holds that the information of record is of sufficient clarity to permit rating action. Service treatment records are negative for any mention of or treatment for a chronic psychological or psychiatric condition. (last they told me was my STR's were "lost".) There were provisional diagnoses in VAMC Columbia outpatient records. An evaluation of 30% is assigned. An evaluation of 30% is granted whenever there is occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to such symptoms as depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciosness, panic attacks weekly or less often, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, forgetting names, directions, recent events. (So i guess not working for 3 years is "occasional decrease" in work efficiency ) It goes on to explain my two stressors which were confirmed, saying i reported panic attacks 3-5 times a week in my exam, which i do. An AXIS I diagnosis of ptsd with depressed mood was provided. I'm also dx with MDD. The AXIS V dx score of 50 was provided based on current functioning. Based on current functioning, the rating board holds that the 30% evaluation is warranted. In the beggining of letter it says they requested an opinion for the diagnosed ptsd, and says the board holds that the information of record is of sufficient clarity to permit rating action. Sounds like they didn't wait for the opinion and just rolled with it??

Got my decision letter today, 30% PTSD. I feel that's a big low ball. Haven't worked for almost 3 years, it's a real debilitating issue for me. I think they throw this at alot of people hoping they'll take it and run. Will be calling my VSO tomorrow. Anything special that needs to be done?

I have a copy of my c-file, one stressor is in there, i gave 2 stressors. There are 2 instances noted in the c-file where the VA tried to contact my old unit, the person talked to, and time and date contacted, both times the answer was that they did not have them and didn't know where they were. I have sent out 4 sf-180's to all places which would have mine, NARA, and 3 Marine Corps specific locations. All of which turned up nothing. Could be they are researching the second stressor. If need be i can try to contact the platoon sergeant, they say it helps to have a higher up verification, and he was in the same truck of which i was the driver for.

Yes, all records that could be of help were sent. Except SMR's which they tell me are lost. I was rated 10% tinnitus and 0% hearing loss.

Get my award letter for SC tinnitus and hearing loss. Good to go on that. Says ptsd is deferred though. My c&p exam is done and i've been seeing the shrink for a while now, and on meds. I'm not sure if they're waiting on more info or what. And also there is a stressor in my c-file connecting it. Just confused a little as to why it's deferred.

Just as long as the ptsd claim is right in behind this one. The ptsd c&p was about a month before the hearing. It's a great feeling knowing it worked out for me. Hope it all still does. And i have to thank all the members of Hadit for the great info on this site!

I got a check in the mail today, says VA COMP on it. I'm assuming it's backpay for SC 10% hearing, it adds up anyway. I have yet to recieve any award letter though. I still have a ptsd claim in too, which was done before the hearing. I was told they would be put together. Just a little confused, but still happy. Been 5 months since the claim, so not bad eh? I consider this a partial win :o

Yeah, i've seen the stories, i won't be holding my breath. They called me saying they didn't have them, and i don't have them. Nobody knows where they are, even my old unit. I sent in for them a while back with a "we don't know where they are" response. Sent the sf-180's again to a couple more places. I'm sure they won't turn up at the moment anyway. They're probably looking hard for them though.

Filed claims in Nov. of 09, and March 18th i have a C&P for my PTSD. Hope all goes well, and still haven't been able to locate my SMR's . Sent a few sf-180 forms out. Waiting to see if anything comes back.

I've called everywhere, and used the National Archives. Still getting the runaround though.

I'm in the same boat, the V.A. regional office called me and said they never got my SMR's. So i guess not lost just never had them to begin with? But i can't get ahold of anyone who knows anything. Hmmm surprise surprise.

As having the benefit of the doubt, i don't want them to shaft me on not having that file, i contacted the marine corps archives and they're sending me my unit info on what they find to show proof of the stressor. And i have Dx for all my claims i filed for from the V.A. And being treated for them. Guess i'll hope for the best. Supposed to help they are. The phone call was like, "we can't find your smr's from the dates you were in", sounded like i was never in, and after 10 days they'll push the case forward with or without the file. I told them to wait the 10 days before pushing my case through, just to give me some kind of time to look for them. It was my understanding that your branch was to send the files to the archive place or the V.A. ??? I was officially out January 12 this year. I'm calling my unit on monday to see if they retired the records or not, more than likely not, knowing how the admin operates. Very well could be my problem, and i'll get them expidited to the RO.

The V.A. calls today and told me they don't have my medical records from the dates i was in. How do i go about getting them? They're only giving me 10 days before they push the case forward, so without them i'll probably get the shaft!

I should be good to go now. Got them filed. Friday i met with my primary care doctor, a psychologist, and an OIF/OEF worker. Then Thursday i met with another psychologist and a psychiatrist for meds, should be in the mail. Have to go back to the psychologist in a couple weeks and the psychiatrist after the first of the year for check ups. Still waiting on the TBI screening. Just thought i'd post my experience thus far.

TTT B) Ok, went to the VA the other day and met with the VSO of the american legion. Got all the paperwork out of the way. Doing a tinnitus claim first. Going to defer the PTSD and TBI claims until my evidence is in. So i need to get on that. And put in for the DD-215, that will probably take forever. The VSO seems to know his stuff real well, and told me what to do when i get in the system for health benefits and all, and told me to send all my papers to him and he'll make sure they'll get it on file. Makes me feel better anyway. I actually have an appointment with a doctor this week.

Thanks for the form! I'm an OIF veteran, our CAR was revised to honor those who come under fire with IED's and mortars. Is there a way to contact the Joint Services Records Research Center, or is that the V.A.'s thing?

I'll have to search for that. The regs for it changed about a year after i left, it's a good guess that's gone to the wind B) . Would civilian doctors diagnosis work? I read something about an amendment for ptsd stressor proof, if the claimed stressor is consistent with the places, types and circumstances of the veterans service and the veterans symptoms are related to the claimed stressor. Anyone know about this amendment?

It's been almost 4 years since i've been discharged, so no 1 year window. I have paperwork of the dates and places in country. Should have a CAR but that was offered after my DD-214 was given, so it will not show on there. I've waited way to long to do this i know! I'm just done trying to deal with it on my own. I've always tryed to "just deal with it". That doesn't work anymore.

I posted this in another forum, no response, so I figured i'd post here too. I'm going this week to file a PTSD claim. I was never treated for anything while on active duty. What all do i need to get the ball rolling, DD-214 and what else? I also want to file for TBI and tinnitus, but PTSD is my main concern. Do i file them all at the same time i'm guessing?

Not sure if this is the right place for this. I'm getting ready to file my claims. Do i simply just walk in and talk to a VSO? Not a clue on how this works. TIA