Melancholy_Sleestak

Thanks everyone!

First off, I am a soldier who has been successful in being awarded a diagnosis of PTSD with substance abuse due to Military Sexual Trauma. For this I am surprised, glad and thankful to those that helped me on this forum and those who corroborated my claim. However, I also filed for PTSD as a result of my experience in Saudi Arabia as a result of SCUD attacks. This was not awarded to me or mentioned in my award letter. It seems they said "Yes you qualify for PTSD and we'll just pick this one reason." I have not contacted my VSO about this and was hoping to get the opinion of this community. I am currently trying to get into an inpatient program and I'm afraid of having my successful claim compromised by also discussing the psychological impacts of what I experienced in Saudi Arabia vs being molested by my Drill SGT. The fear of death by chemical weapons was in itself entirely traumatic. Although I had been molested by a Drill Sergeant, the threat and experiences of SCUD attacks were entities in themselves so powerful that there is no overlap aside from the extreme fear in my mind. To have this just skipped over is infuriating to me. At the time it was so singularly frightening and real that it left no room for any other experience in my past history. It still haunts me. Do any of you think I should appeal the decision that makes no mention of my experiences in Desert Storm? Should I fight for service connection for PTSD as a result of fear of hostile instrumentalities when I have a currently successful claim for PTSD due to military sexual trauma? Should I leave it as is in fear of screwing up a 50% disability rating for PTSD due to MST? Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks, good luck and appreciation to all.

Berta, Thank you for your replies. I feel pretty ignorant about this whole process. I have had some assistance from my veteran service officer but I should have asked for more. With my C&P looming I wish I had just taken the time to learn more earlier. Basically I submitted a claim, have been going to counseling and crossing my fingers which is probably the worst thing I could have done. Now, I feel like calling the whole thing off since the VA doctor is acting like a gatekeeper. The letter did tell me what documentation I need. I will locate it and take another look at it. Is there a way to suspend a claim? I would like to go into this with as little chance of having to appeal as possible. With such an impediment to my claim I feel like I'm going to a job interview with no pants on. Like no matter what else I submit there is one glaring problem that nullifies the rest. I will contact my previous psychiatrist about an IMO or Nexus letter. I need to find out what the difference is and which would be better. I do have a Nexus letter from my private clinical psychologist. I submitted SMRs, private MS letters, VA progress notes, a battalion history and letters to my previous wife that were good indicators of my experiences in Saudi Arabia. I was kind of stunned when her Nexus letter only commented on military sexual assault. I should not have turned it in, but I was panicking because it was one day prior to the 1 yr deadline. Now I feel like I have a nexus letter that defeats my claim for PTSD as a result of my service in the Gulf War. Any thoughts on that or can I ask her to add new evidence to her Nexus letter? I received imminent danger pay, SW Asia medal with 2 stars. I have been hoping that is all they need for documented proof to fulfill the addendum "the veteran must have been located" either in or within close proximity of the "hostile military or terrorist activity"that produced the "fear of" this activity." I was at King Abdul Aziz Port/Port of Dammam from Dec 1990 to Aug 1991. I will have to ask my veteran service officer about adding anxiety as an addendum. Thanks for the advice and guidance and the news that NOVA challenged the new regs. The challenge only makes sense. I hope it succeeds and helps people. I'm sorry you and your husband had to battle the VA for so long. From your last post it must have been a tremendous ordeal.

Thanks for the replis

Thank you for your reply. I spoke with our chaplain numerous times but I don't know if any of that would make into my personnel file. All I have regarding anxiety is my exit medical evaluation which I admitted to: Excess worry Frequent trouble sleeping As well as some additional things that may help my case: Palpitation or pounding heart Dizziness or fainting spells Recurrent back pain I have a lot of letters that I sent to my ex-wife about accidents, physical attacks, anger, loss of concentration, anger, fear of death. I hope these might be helpful. Since my VA doctor seems to think otherwise, should I ask him why? My appointments seem with him seem unstructured and I don't know if I showed up with supporting documentation if he would just suspect I'm seeking a handout or trying to guide his diagnosis.

Hello, I have a C&P in a few weeks and have some questions. My claim has some problems. Any help would be appreciated. I filed for PTSD for personal assault for which I have no evidence and PTSD due to SCUD attacks in Saudi Arabia in 1991. I filed in 2009. My VA psyche doctor diagnosed with Anxiety disorder Not Otherwise Specified R/O PTSD especially as related to military sexual trauma R/O Dysthymia My previous private sector psychiatrist and Clinical Psychologist diagnosed me with PTSD, Generalized anxiety disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. It has been difficult for me to speak with this VA doctor, I'm not comfortable with him, but I have tried to be honest and tell him my symptoms and I believe what I have told him would lead him to diagnose PTSD. With the new regulation in effect does it seem likely to anyone that he is avoiding PTSD as a diagnosis to derail my claim? I suspect this as he documented especially as related to military sexual trauma and that is not benefited by the new regulation. Will this be a big factor when I have my C&P or do they diagnose you there and then? Is there a way to remedy his diagnosis by appeal? If I was to be granted a service connection for Anxiety Disorder Not Otherwise Specified or Generalized Anxiety Disorder versus PTSD will I maintain my effective date of when I filed the claim? Does a C&P exam for PTSD usually involve taking the MMPI-2? Thanks for any help

I'm sorry that happened to you. This must be very frustrating. I can't believe they doubt your claim.

Hello, this is my first post. I really don't understand the process of filing a claim but I have mainly two questions. I submitted a form stating that I had additional materials to submit as evidence for a PTSD claim due to military sexual assault; however it has been about ten months and as I understand it I only have a year to submit this information. I have tried to dig up some information and a mixture of failures and just plain avoidance of the issue helped me get frustrated and discouraged. My questions are: 1. Can I request an extension to submit evidence or withdraw my claim for PTSD in order to file later after I have hopefully gathered information (sworn statements) 2. Does anyone have any recommendations for obtaining information on fellow soldiers I was in basic with or to see if other soldiers reported the Drill Sergeant? I don't know if I should hire a private investigator or what. Thanks for any information or guidance.