jerrbilly

Facing your demons in a military environment might make your PTSD worse. I would suggest you face your demons with good therapy so you can express your feelings and emotions. If you're not happy with your current psychologist seek out another until you find one you can trust and feel comfortable with. jerr I am not sure how to deal with this PTSD, The only way I can see me beating this is by facing my demons and trying to get back over there. Anyone ever feel this way? I have been seeing a Psychologist for almost a year now and honestly, hasn't helped one damn bit. I am sure its because she has no idea what she is doing since she is fresh out of school (although a very older women). Last week she suggested to me that there isn't much she can do for me and I should only see her once a month for a check-up, does this sound right to you guys, ever experienced this? (leads to 4th question).

Thanks Jack, the main thing that's worrisome for me is what if the person that you propose to be you fiduciary ends up being reckless with your money. When it comes to money the only person I would trust is my mother but she's having troubles of her own. We'll see, I have always been declared competent but it only takes one exam for this to change everything. jerr

The polls already predict the colts to win the big one in 2011. Go figure

No problem halo. Looks like you have all your ducks in a row on this one. Good luck

they prob get a raise or just moved to another ro

I agree, Overall my experience was a good one. And we have to figure the majority of vets that get out or retire aren't disabled.

I think many of us have had those same thoughts Hedge. I have a recruiters office just three blocks east and I see young guys and gals walking in all the time. I am glad for them but I also want to shout out, "make sure you get any health issues documented." "You will thank me if you do" Like you said though hedge, we would come across as crazies.

The Colts WHO DAT?

Welcome to HADITville slang. These records will be huge for your claim. jerr

If you're rated 50% for any condition you can work all you wanta.

According to this, part-time work is ok as long as it's under the poverty threshold. Not sure if I would take the risk though...Which VBM edition is this? Nice post In Roberson v. Principi,18 the Federal Circuit held that the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims misconstrued the term “substantially gainful occupation” to mean that the veteran had to prove that he was “100% unemployable.” The Court concluded that the plain language of the regulation does not require such a showing.19 The Court stated that: [r]equiring a veteran to prove that he is 100 percent unemployable is different than requiring the veteran to prove that he cannot maintain substantially gainful employment. The use of the word “substantially” suggests an intent to impart flexibility into a determination of the veteran’s overall employability, whereas a requirement that the veteran prove 100 percent unemployability leaves no flexibility. While the term “substantially gainful occupation” may not set a clear numerical standard for determining TDIU, it does indicate an amount less than 100 percent.

I can't even imagine the feeling of relief you have getting a new exam. Hopefully, you will get a fair and honest examiner. I have a good feeling things will turn out a lot better for your claim this time around. jerr

This is a good point Larry. Very true indeed

Prietosky, it can vary. I received my official letter the first time in about two months after I found out it was being rated. The other only took about 45 days. To be safe I would put a timeline between one month and two months before the official letter but i'm only basing this from my claims. Good luck

Same here, original claim put in in 2003 and the VA has made numerous attempts to obtain my SMR's but no success. They granted my first claim and gave me increased benefit of the doubt due to no SMR's.

Only 100% has total occupational disabled in it. Worded differently though. But at 70% he may be declared unemployable which essentially means he's totally disabled for work. Even at 50% he may be declared unemployable if he has another condition or conditions that brings his rating up to 70%. 50% is only reduced reliability in work even though I have heard of a few very rare cases a vet was award TDIU with 50%. It would take special consideration to achieve this though.

Could someone explain how this incompetence thing works after a fiduciary is assigned? What if the husband and wife have a joint account where the money is deposited. Or what if the wife just turns around and gives the husband the money. It seems to me that after a fiduciary is assigned the wife and husband can work things out however they want. I guess my question here is how does the VA verify the wife is handling the funds and not him? I'm just confused on how this all works just in case i'm declared incompetent on my next exam.

USMC, If you don't have any more information to submit I would send the VCAA form in as far as your PTSD goes since you just had your C&P exam. It will likely be a few months anyway before you hear anything. Wow, about your examiner. Your examiner was 1 in a 100. He actually worked in your favor instead of going the other direction. I hope my next examiner is like yours. jerr

I had to wait 4 weeks to get my last exam mailed to me. You examiner was very nice to give you a copy right then and there. Kudos to that. This looks like good grounds for 70% (deficiencies in most areas) but did you tell the examiner about your suicidal thoughts? I don't see it in this but i'm sure this isn't all of the exam. Jerr

At 50% East, not only can you go to school but you can work all you want too. If you can, work and educate yourself as much as you want. Like wings said just make sure you keep up with treatment. jerr

I can definetely see how this may amend the rating schedule for PTSD. It will be interesting to see how the VA reacts and how long they take to amend. Very interesting, thanks for posting

Like Vync stated here you wouldn't have to have a dx of PTSD to "submit a claim" BUT you would have to have a dx for it to eventially be granted. Are you seeing psych now?

Berge, I'm very sorry you don't appreciate my input here. You could PM me anytime and we can talk this issue out if you want. It would be good therapy. I'm a little concerned on why you all of a sudden verbally attacked me when you could have sent me a PM and gotten this straightened out without setting a bad example for others here. jerr

Where in my post did I say "a sum total of "nothing." If you have a problem with me you know how to PM me and we can straighten this little issue out. You're getting a little childish don't you think. jerr