Ol'Man

******************************************************************************** **************** Kinda going off course here but the dogs were given to another handler to work with after previous handler deros'd. But when the US left Nam the dogs were left behind to an unknow fate. Either sent to an ARVN unit or euthinized. After they worked so hard protecting our troops this is what the US figured they were worth. Now days the dogs are allowed to go home with their handlers or retrained with another handler. Seems the dogs weren't treated any better then we were. FORGOTTEN AND THROWN AWAY !!!!! I still think of my dogs every day. I will never be without a dog in my life.

Went for C&P exam for knee also. Examiner poked and prodded knee, asked if it hurt. Yes it hurt even tough I was on major pain meds. Next he twists leg to the point the knee gave a loud POP, asks me again if that hurt.....hell yes it hurt. Had to stay off leg for three days after exam. He wrote in C&P records (even though it shows in med records) that the damage done should have been healed and because I didn't go to doctors after the service it wasn't service connected. Never had the money to go to Doctors....couldn't afford insurance because I couldn't hold on to a steady job because of anger issues(SC'd), back injuries (SC'd), knee injuries (SC'd), tinnitus (SC'D) etc. Got claims going on now because of all the good people in the Florida VA system. Michigan sucked.

:) Good Morning Everyone; I must apologize for taking so long to get back on here before things got out of hand. Let me try a clear this up. First I'm sorry for not putting into post where on Watchdog I actually saw the article, when I first read it I got scared because I have filed claims for PTSD for 10 or more years but never had the courage to write about my stressors. Like many of us Viet Nam Veterans we have tried to forget the past and what we endured over there as well as what we have gone through since returning home. With the help of my PTSD counslers and PTSD group sessions I am slowly trying to come to terms with my past.....here and overseas. My life before going to Nam was hope filled. I was supposed to come home to be a State Police Officer in Michigan. Had most of my life planned with marriage, family, and the GOOD life. When I returned home all that was gone, replaced by things I seen and did while in Nam. My first try at suicide was 1 month after I came back, from there it was all downhill with no way to stop. Never could hold down a job, failed marriage, estranged from my entire family, drugs and alcohol, constant failed relationships, etc. But enough of that because we all know where that leads. Now to the point of all this. I wrote 3 stressor accounts for the VA. It took me almost 3 months to complete them. After submitting them along with my 9th claim for PTSD I only let one other person read them and that was my PTSD counsler. He makes it a point to keep in contact with me at least once a week. One stressor is easily verifyable because of records, the other 2 are not due to the nature of the incidents and the cover-up's of the people in charge of the Units I was supporting. I was a Scout Dog Handler and supported many different Units. Needless to say after reading the article in Watchdog and knowing I'm now waiting for a rating decision on my numerous claims I got spooked and needed reassurance from fellow Vets. I really did not mean to start a rucus. Sorry, OL'MAN

:D :D :o :D :D Just read on VA Watchdog where many "veterans" are lying about stressors in order to claim benefits. I was a Dog Handler in Nam "70" - "71", 101st 47th IPSD. Tried for several years to get SR benefits for injuries and PTSD received while overseas but always got the same old story....WE NEED PROOF OF STRESSORS. Now after almost 40 years and many sleepless nights and nightmares, failed relationships, going from job to job, etc., I'm finally coming to terms with my past "life". I'm close to receiving benefits for Dabetes II and anxiety disorder, the latter not PTSD because I don't believe the "examiner" did his homework. My question is, am I going to have trouble with PTSD claim because only one out of three of my stressors was documented. The other 2 are true but were buried due to the nature. Can we say "cover-up" ? Been waiting for 2 months now for decision. I know I will have to file a NOD but am not letting the VA screw me again.

Went to Primary Care Doc the other day and got butt chewed out for not taking meds regularly, told her I sometimes forget for a few days at a time. Got that straightened out then had to go back to exam room with nurse for and EKG and get more lab work done cause someone messed up. Here's the real problem....while going over my records the nusre said "your Diabetes is not service comnected. Sure enough thats what it said on records. She asked if I was in the AO data base (registry) and I said yes that I had the exam several years ago. I also told her I was in the 3rd Field Army Hospital in Siagon for 1 1/2 months due to direct exposure to AO. I made several phone calls and found out I am registered and did have the exam. Is this screw-up gonna have an effect on my rating decision. Finished C&P's 5 weeks ago and still waiting for rating decision. One more question....C&P examiner said I did not have PTSD but suffered an anxiety disorder more than likely SC...gave me a 70 GAF. Do you think I'll get % rating for this? Thanks...sorry to be a pest.

:) <_< Instead of starting a new topic I figured I ask my questions here 'cause they pertain to PTSD and C&P Exams. First off I have to say I started filing claims in 1973 but never followed through because of not wanting to relive experiences and not being able to comprehend what was going on with me or what to do about it. VA service officer was a complete xxxxxxx. In the mid-ninties a new VASO came to my home town and was helping me put things together....filed claims for Stomach Problems, PTSD, and other asscoiated problems. Came to the part where I had to do stressors and I flipped out and said no way. Claims were denied. My thoughts...SCREW"EM ALL. Now at age 60 and with many years of nightmares and sleepless nights, I have reopend claims and have even did stressor letters, probably one of the hardest things I have had to do since NAM. Been going to PTSD counselor, psychiatrist, and PTSD Group. Received my requested C&P Exam records yesterday and got thourghly PISSED. Jerk Examiner had me in there for 15 minutes, didn't ask anything about stressors or anything related to my claims. Put in records 'No PTSD but gaf 70 for Anxiety Disorder". WTF???? Knee got smashed in Nam.....Report...NOT SC!!! Major hearing problems from gunfire and explosions...Report....NOT SC!!!! I actually started to cry and become very upset after reading the BS report. Sounded as if they were calling me a liar. Now I'm unemployable because of pain and pain meds but that doesn't matter to them. Haven't had any income since June 2008 and living in a tent on a friends property. Yea government. F**K'EM ALL!!!!!!!

Howdy...this is my 2nd post. Still new and looking for answers. I served in the Army (47th IPSD, 101st Airmobile) from 1969 to 1971 with 1 tour in Nam. I went for my first C&P exam 2 days ago, didn't know until I got there what it was for. Turned out it was for my claim to a knee injury received in Nam. I have claims for severe PTSD, Diabetes, and severe back injury. The least important of my claims (even though they are all important to me) was my hearing and my knee. The exam took all of 15 minutes. The Dr asked me 6 short questions, did a quick exam of my knee and said "all done"!!! What the hell was that all about. I feel I'm gonna get the shaft here. Why was the least of the injuries put ahead of my major problems. Any good and true answers would be appreciated

Yo...I had an appointment for a C&P exam yesterday. Filed claims for PTSD, Diabetes, leg and back injuries, hearing. Got to exam and the only thing that happened was the Dr. asked me a few questions about my knee, gave my knee a short lookover and said we were all done. What gives??? I was told by the VA that my claims were before the decision rating board. Am I getting screwed? The knee and my hearing were the least of my worries. I am living in a tent at the moment and need benefits $$$$$.