[Need Help - Trying To Get Increase For Ptsd]

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Rooster,

I think you comprehend what we are suggesting, but you may want someone to do the work for you --and we can't do that.

We can make suggestions:

1. report your job-related probalems to your supervisor, get your complaints documented; get copies of your work evals (or whatever they call 'em);

2. get copies of your VA medical records;

3. Work with a service-officer;

4. File a Claim for an increse in your mental disorder and provide/attach evidence of your worsening SC condition (from your VA medical records);

You are 50% service-connected for a mental disorder, and you are asking how to go about service-connecting your other medical problems. Let me tell you now, the VA will only COMPENSATE one (1) mental disorder. Even if you have been diagnosed with several: Bi-polar, PTSD, MST, etc, the VA is NOT going to give you more compensation for each disorder --just one.

I would suggest you continue developing your VA claim for Headaches. You believe your headaches are the result of an inservice trauma, but (so far), you have not located documentation of that in-service trauma. Was this a motor vehicle accident?

We can only make suggestions, and you have to follow your best instincts. SO far, your instincts have kept you alive and kicking --just keep putting one foot in front of the other, one day at a time.

Have you ever been admitted as an INPATIENT at the VA Psyche Ward? ~Wings

Oh NO! I don't want anyone to do anything for me. I just had not realized all this prior to talking with someone a few weeks ago about an icrease- didn't even know that was an option. I think maybe I'm just making it harder than it may be. Have not been admitted or admitted myself anywhere. Thanks for your suggestions! I'm very grateful and just realized I also suck at spelling- and that this has spell check!

[Need Help - Trying To Get Increase For Ptsd]

Wings is right.

My husband , a VA employee, had personnel records I got hold of from VA that showed he had trouble reading the diet cards and other stuff he needed to read carefully for the job. VA gave him glasses but they didnt help as everything had an odd glare.He asked the VA to accomodate him somehow as he thought his PTSD was causing the visual disturbances, He also suffered from daily -even hourly visual flashbacks of Vietnam. He wanted them maybe to stop the glare on the diet card line.

Long story. I proved to the VA that this was one of the first manifestations of his AO diabetes.I also gave lay statement that his first hunting season he had the county's first deer kill minutes after the season opened.He had 20-20 vision on his drivers license at that time 1987 with no glasses needed.( sent that as evidence)But by 1988 his vision was so bad he put a scope on the Mossberg and I chased out 7 deer but he was afraid to take even one shot.

Coupled with the other evidence I found in his medical records-I was awarded AO DIC for his death recently.

Odd visual changes and also an unusual glare can be symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus. This is well known in the medical community.

Any personnel records can sometimes reveal symptoms of something that should be SCed or rated at higher level.

first let me say, I am sorry for your recent loss. But secondly... I'm ignornat to all of htis... I am so confused. Not to say that I may have diabets, but I have also been complaining of extreem! visual discomfort- glares and changes, thinking it's related to my headaches, still unsure, nobody can tell me what's wrong they just keep giving me pills and more pills....anyways... I'm confused as to what I need to do. I'm in treatment. but I think I screwed myself by getting a job at the VA. So maybe I should ask to see my personel file form here at work? Should I get statements form supervisors? How was the vision serivce connected?

[Need Help - Trying To Get Increase For Ptsd]

Yes-if you lose your job or a doctor says you are no longer employable-

and these statements could help get a higher PTSD rating- best to let us see the statements first! B)

Some negative employers statements arising due to an EEOC case helped my husband's PTSD claim )I think) I dont recall if they even considered them but did list them as evidence.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/2nd-Battalio...nt/111781531239

There are some contact areas on the internet where maybe you could find someone who served with you for a buddy statement-

what did VA attribute the "trauma" too in order to rule out your military service as cause?

Did you get a C & P yet for the migraines?

See what statements???

[Need Help - Trying To Get Increase For Ptsd]

Yes-if you lose your job or a doctor says you are no longer employable-

and these statements could help get a higher PTSD rating- best to let us see the statements first! B)

Some negative employers statements arising due to an EEOC case helped my husband's PTSD claim )I think) I dont recall if they even considered them but did list them as evidence.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/2nd-Battalio...nt/111781531239

There are some contact areas on the internet where maybe you could find someone who served with you for a buddy statement-

what did VA attribute the "trauma" too in order to rule out your military service as cause?

Did you get a C & P yet for the migraines?

I've had 2 c&p's for headaches. As far as attributing ht etrauma for headahces- I'm not sure they did....

[Need Help - Trying To Get Increase For Ptsd]

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I am not suggesting you have your supervisors do anything out of the ordinary; isn't there already an established protocol for evaluating your on the job performance? How long have you been working for the VA, what do you do there? Try to find out if the VA keeps an employment record, and request a copy under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). I would try to deal with all of this as patiently and respectfully as possible ... You want to enlist the support of as many good folks as you can find, and make them want to help you because you are sincerely trying to help yourself ... ~Wings

No no- I ugess i dindn't clarify- but for example- all of this is stated in my yearly appraisal...

[Need Help - Trying To Get Increase For Ptsd]

Female combat veterans have unique needs that VA is starting to realize:

http://www.acvow.org/women.html

There is a bill I think in the Senate- have lots of email to go thru and find this info-

meantime- the VA seems to have recognized you had inservice trauma- you could possibly claim the trauma as TBI

Do you have your complete SMRs copy? and also ypour inservice personnel records as well as copies of your VA medical records?

Your SMRS unless they are at the VA can be obtained at the NARA web site with a SF 180 under the veterans records section.

You are so wonderful for guiding me! I'm very grateful and for everyone who is replying to me. What is an SMR and a NARA?? I tried filing for TBI- denied me twice~ I don't get it- there's got to be another way tofile for headaches- maybe under PTSD? not sure?

[Need Help - Trying To Get Increase For Ptsd]

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I hope you have been getting VA medical treatment for your SC Mental Disorder (Bi-Polar). You are going to need Evidence of a worsening condition. Have you been reporting any occupational-job related difficulties to your supervisors? If so, you should have some kind of personnel file at the VAMC employment office. Keep updated copies of your current VA Medical Records, Employment Records and VA Claims-File. File for frequent updates through the FOIA. Do you have a service officer? ~Wings

Yes, have been getting treatmentt for MST, PTSD, depression, anxiety- meds for bi-polar- and nuerology for headahces and then all the meds to top it off- I've bene having difficulties at work, yes- my supervisors are aware of it- even been getitng me ars chewed out- not intentionally, just can't get along with others, and having a hard time adjusting to people who treat veterans like crap. Should I have my supervisors write letters on behalf of my 'negative behavior'?

[Need Help - Trying To Get Increase For Ptsd]

You can ask for higher rating by saying the other disabilities are secondary and/or aggravating your SC PTSD.

I assume you are female combat veteran based on your posts-please correct me if I am wrong-

Just this AM I caught something in email that VA is attempting to do to help combat female veterans dealing with PTSD-I will post it later here-

"diagnosed with headahces due to trauma"

What I meant was did you suffer trauma to your head in service due to accident ,fall, or a combat event -this would be the nexus VA would need to service connect the headaches.

With documentation of the inservice trauma to head- this would most likely cause the headaches as the post says-you already have the link from the trauma to the headaches.

You just have to prove the trauma occured in service. unless it is all in your SMRS.

Yes, I'm a female combat veteram form Afghanistan. my Diagnosis for headahces..yes, Headaches due to trauma, but they have deneid my claim twice saying it's not service related. I was in the field every time 'fit hit the shan' - so I didn't go to 'sick cal' or the medics, I had an IV and kept on moving forward with the platoon. I'm in a bad situation from what I understand. I was a female tasked out of a water treatment platoon ON BASE to work with the 504th Infantry doing clearing missions- when I went to get records of my service with the units- I wans't even heard of in the 504th- how is that possible? So I'm having a hard time getting documentation and statements for- it's sucha shitty thing for female vets who served with any infantry men. And now looking back- I was a dummy for not making sure I got documentation while I was ther...but then agian to me I was there serving my country I wasn't there to file a claim... I wasn't thinking about that. So I'd go in the field for a few days at atime with these men as the only female- and now there's no documentation of it?? I'm soo screwed huh?

[Need Help - Trying To Get Increase For Ptsd]

I would think the SC PTSD is aggravating or causing some of the other conditions.

Are you employed? If not you need to file for TDIU-

You could claim the other conditions are secondary to your PTSD or aggravated by your PTSD but this will take medical evidence to state there is a link between the PTSD and the other conditions.

VA only rates one mental disability however-they can factopr into that rating other stuff but they only will pay you comp for one of them- the PTSD in this case.

If you arent employed l;et us know and I or someone will attach the TDIU application form and info.

Do you have an inservice nexus for the trauma? accident, IED, etc?

[Need Help - Trying To Get Increase For Ptsd]

Others should jump in soon. To request an increase, for your PTSD, you merely need to send them a letter stating that your PTSD has gotten worse and you are requesting an increase. Always request the maximum allowed. All correspondence w/the VA should be sent certified mail, w/return receipt requested and you should keep photocopies of everything sent. The VA tends to lose things. Since you are already rated they will give you another C&P exam. As for your other conditions, if you feel they are related to your military service, you can file for them also.

pr

So is it a dilema that I was diagnosed with the others after beign niagnosed and rated with the PTSD, BUT... stating service connected, or related to PTSD? or should that not be a problem when asking for an increase?

[Need Help - Trying To Get Increase For Ptsd]

r88ster3,

VA compensates for one mental health disability.

If you have more than one as you have posted, they should compensate

(as pr) posted for the highest percentage allowed,as evidenced in your

medical records and C&P exams.

jmho,

carlie

Thanks for hte reply! So.. how do I get them to rate me for all of them? (PTSD, Anxiety, depression...?) The PTSD was strictly combat related when I went for the C & P, - dind't even bring up the MST. So would I file separate claim for MST? Thanks

[Need Help - Trying To Get Increase For Ptsd]

Are you working? Do you get or have applied for Social Security Disability?

If you are working the max you can get is 50% to 70%. A request will trigger a full review. Lots of things to think about.

Yes, I started working at the VA...bad idea. it has actually worsened my symptoms and my anxiety- but- I have two young babies and a future husbnad- to help support. I'm so confused not sure what I should do and what exactly I can do and all the fine print/ hiddne agenda/detals. I may have screwed myself by taking a job at th eVA- been here a little over a year.

[Need Help - Trying To Get Increase For Ptsd]

so.. I'm currently at 50% for PTSd- have been since 2006. things aren't better- getting worse. Was diagnosed with Bipolar, I have MST, depression and anxiety (all diagnosed through the VA) so do I file for increase or start filing claims for each of these?? And how do I ask for increase?? Form 50% to..what %? All related to serve- and to top it off- diagnosed with headahces due to trauma.. HELP please!!!! thanks!!