Gridsmasher11

That is wonderful...I needed some good news today and this is GREAT............Grid

The PTSD claim was supposedly at the rating board...in the rater's hot little hand...sent to another place so that it could be rated faster (from Texas to another state), etc. This may not be a bad thing.............I have been fighting with WACO for over 15 years.......I currently have a PTSD DX from my VA shrink and they have conceded my stressor but still continue to deny me a rating for PTSD....The WACO RO is known to be a hard one to get a fair rating at....Some do very well there but a lot have to continuiosly fight.....I hope and wish you all the luck and that you get the rating you deserve...And CONGRATS on the other ratings............GRID

I have a question about SSDI..........At this point in time my medications are making it almost impossible to continue working ..Am groggy, sleepy and at times barely conscious........Will continue to try to work as long as possible........My question is if I end up losing my job, can I apply for SSDI while I am drawing unemployment????? I am going to discuss this with my doc on next appt and the possibility of requesting SSDI paperwork...AT thi point I am just trying to plan ahead for what may happen in the close foreseeable future//////////////...GRID

Sledge , I agree INSOMNIA SUCKS .........I take Ambien, it worked OK for a while..Now it doesn't work anymore....So I asked my Psych for something else to help me sleep....She presccibed Mitazapine to take at bedtime and to keep using the Ambien...The mirtazapine makes me very groggy the next day and doesn't really me fall asleep that much...Point of case, Last night I went to bed at 12 after taking the ambien,mitizapine, the Prozasin and my 300mg Gabapentin about 30 minutes prior to going to bed....At 3:30 AM I was still awake...This is pretty much a nightly ritual....And the claims side of the house says I don't have Insomnia......I know of a good way to sleep but it is illegal in my state and I am trying to do the right thing.....Grid

Berta, the treatment notes from the Telemed sessions appear in my treatment records just like if I had seen her live...When I go to the local VA clinic that I go to for treatment, group sessions and to see my VA PC about once a month I get a copy of my treatment records for the previous month or since I last pulled them...They include my PC docs notes from my visit (If I saw her in that time frame), notes from the counseler from group and the Psych notes from my Psych Telemed sessions......It is is all computer based now....So the notes are avaliable....................................As to any reference to a SC at 0% or a NSC they are not there...They just denied PTSD again.....You asked about a service officer to help me..The DAV rep that is supposed to be helping me never seems to have time for me and has been absolutely worthless, am lookinf for other assistance..............Thank you Berta for your help and suggestions Phillip Rogers, I appreciate your help and concern........I have a clear diagnosis of PTSD from my VA PSYCH, I have been conceeded a stressor from the VA...The notes from my VA PSYCH include the traumitic events and experiences I experienced and that I dream about and the images that stay in my mind...I have submitted statements from my wife about the nightmares and the sleep issues and the anger and avoidance...I have sent in statements about my experiences, what I saw and the traumitic events that happened......I DO NOT KNOW if my complete medical record was reviewed by the Doc that did my C&P, I did not even know what the C&P was for until I got in her office..I just recieved a appt letter from VA telling me when and where to go that day..I had 2 C&P exams that day and neither stated what for....I am doing the best I can to put this all together and get it right...I am sorry that you feel that you cannot help me...If you will look back over my past posts you will see where I posted about my psych visit that includes my DSM IV and GAF score... I once again thank all that are trying to assist me in my claim..I will continue to drive forward and will not give up........Thanks for all the help and advice.....GRID

Berta, no I am not a VA employee but do work for the Federal GVT...Am a DEP of Defense/Army Civilian..........My VA PC had put in my notes from our initial appt. that I Had sign and symptoms of PTSD from my Gulf War exeriences and gave me a Psych referal.....I went to my psych referal and talked to the VA counseler and she referred my to my VA psych who I have been Telemed with once a month....She has given me a clear Diagnosis of PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder......It is the diagnosis in my AXIS IV.....Over the last 4 months I have had a GAF ranging from 50 to 58.......Am getting everything together to fight this...I haven't decided if I will just appeal or gor for a DOR...I am convinced that they did not look at my treatment records.........Thanks for all the help and support

Berta thanks for some great answers......You have brought up some great things that may help....I am in the process of requesting a copy of my C&P and my claims file...This was just one of the claims they denied in the same letter......They said that they had origionally denies my claim in 1994 but that the new evidence submitted WAS MATERIAL....It just does read right and does not fall in line with everything I have read about PTSD especially since they conceded my stressor and I have a valid DX from both my VA PC and my VA PSYCH....They also denied my insomnia claim and combined my Sleep Apnea claim with it together...Plus other numerous claims some that go back to 1994............The meds are becoming a serious problem......They are causing weight gain,Sexual Disfunction, grogginess and problems with waking up....The Ambien no longer works, the mirtazapine that my psych has prescribed to help with the sleep is turning me into a zombie that wants to sleep all the time...I am using the time I am off from work to try to adjust to it..Am seriously considering asking my psych to start the paperwork for SSI because I am to the point that I cannot function at the workplace anymore..........................................Plus I am going to talk to my counseler about the inpatient facility as my psych suggested....If I get fired then I will draw unemployment and file for SSI and continue my fight...I am not giving up....I have been put off,had my honesty and character tested by the VA, had them Flat Out Lie...No, now they have one large, very upset Texan on their hands who has proof of most of the things they have denied and the support of a loving wife and family and a wonderful extended internet brother and sisterhood who have the knowledge and give me support everyday I see great advice coming from them............Once again thanks to Berta and all the others for your wonderful guidance and help.............Grid

Thanks for the support and advice folks..Really appreciate it..Sorry haven't been around for a week or so..Lost my Father, had to attend funeral and feel so down, no energy just want to sleep and rest..plus the mirtazapine my psych put me on for sleep is making me very tired and groggy...Once again THANKS...I am getting things together to keep up the good fight...Gridi

Carlie, thanks for the reply...i am already working on it..I have an appt. tommorow with my DAV rep to discuss options with him...Already getting paperwork together....Hopefully will be sending them paperwork within a month..Still considering getting a lawyer involved as I am not impressed with my DAV rep.....He never seems to have time to see me..Will talk to Shrink again in about a month..GRID

Friday morning I recieved the dreaded white envelope..It was my latest round of rubber stamped denials....There were more than one but the PTSD one concerns me and my VA psyche that I saw for a monthly appt on Friday afternoon....In the write up for the denial they conceded my stressor... I quote" Review of your file showed that your combat stressor has been conceeded.Service medical records avaliable for review were negative for a diagnosis of posttraumitic stress disorder. At your VA examination, the doctor reviewed your avaliable medical records.The examiner reported that although you have symptoms of posttraunitic stress disorder there was no evidence of persistently avoiding situations which remind you of the traumitic event.(I don't knoe what they want, I told the examiner that I detested the 4th of July, avoided crowds and would not join local Volunteer Fire Department because I couldn't face the possibility of encountering the smell of burnt human again..Plus no friends and spending hours alone).No diagnosis of post traumitic stress disorder was rendered.The diagnosis of major depressive disorder was supported by finding on examination.Service medical records were negative for a diagnosis of depression. The claim for service connection for post traumitic stress disorder with depression is considered reopened.However, the evidence continues to show service connection is not shown by the service medical records or demonstrated by evidence following service.Therefore, service connection continues to be denied" end quote... This has to be the biggest load of double talk and BS I have ever seen...My VA psychiatrist was astounded...And this is with a clear diagnosis of PTSD from her with a GAF of 55 2 days after my C&P and was 50 the month before...She said that my PTSD may be partially controlled but without the 3 antidepressants and sleep aids and lets not forget the nightmare medication that it is rampant and will probably always require medication.............I guess the good news is the conceding of my stressor..I don't think they even looked at my VA treatment records...Next week I will request a copy of my C-file and the C&P exam..Thinking about a lawyer for appeal..Also psyche suggested if I can get off worrk the 4 week inpatient course at Little Rock..Off the record said it would help claim and appealNow just seeing if I can get 4 weeks..Can't afford missing pay..Have enough leave to cover abot 2 1/2 weeks...Work for Feds so really don't have to worry about losing job with Docs note.......ANY HELP AND GUIDANCE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.......Grid

Joker, if you are a Desert Storm Vet request a Desert Storm physical...If you are not sure what to do get a service officer such as DAV,VFW,etc..They can help you get started..My DAV guy got me a physical scheduled within 2 weeks about a year ago...Your rash could be connected...Also look aroun here, there is some GREAT info on this site...Good luck....Grid

Thanks folks for the replies..I am also taking gabapentin (takes the edge off the pain) and praxosin for nightmares.....I have had a sleep study done and my VA primary care physician said last week she was ordering me a CPAP because of my apnea..I know that should improve the quality of my sleep, but sometimes just getting to sleep is the problem.....I am tired constantly anymore..I don't know if it is from lack of sleep or the combinitation of meds I am taking, but not being able to go to sleep even when tired is not helping...Then getting up at 0500 and driving over an hour to get to work..A long boring drive with little scenery and little traffic to help keep me awake...Hopefully some of my claims come through soon and my rating is high enough that I can afford to take to take a cut in salary for something closer to home...I am seriuosly concerned about putting my car in the ditch some morning...Going to work is getting harder every day.....Anyway, thanks for the replies I really appreciate them....Grid

Ok folks, my insomnia is getting worse..Have been taking the zolpidem tartrate (Ambien) from VA now for a while..It seems to no longer work..I go to bed and then lay there and toss and turn trying to go to sleep for 2 or 3 hours...I am going to discuss this with my psych later this week..What are some other options..I have to be able to get up and make a lengthy drive to work every morning so I can't be out of it..Here lately it has been getting harder because I am not sleeping much at night so I am tired..Any suggestions would be appreciated..Thanks, Grid

Congrats, and that is a good turnaround time...I had a C&P on 29 Mar and hopefully will here something soon...I am always glad to see a fellow vet get an increase....Grid

Good News, congrats on the power chair....My meds are always different looking.......Grid

Great News...Enjoy........Grid

OK, went and pulled my records from the local outpatient clinic....They have my latest writeup from my normal psych appt on 31 Mar 10...... AXIS I; MJ abuse in SFR. MDD .PTSD AXISII; none AXIS III; arthritis with joint pain, OSA, gout AXIS IV; recent VA declined C&P exam, job related stress AXISV; GAF Score: 55 Looking back over my notes since early this year I also had a GAF of 50 at one time..The other AXIS's were almost the same...In Doctors notes are referrences to social isolation, problems with social interactions at work, Being severely depressed, Sleep problems, flashbacks and nightmares and the need for pain management.And all references show and refer to depression and pain management....They didn't give me a copy of my C&P exam results...I don't know if they are unavailiable or what..The MJ abuse is past tense..Am clean and plan to stay that way..But both my normal psych and the one I saw for the C&P said they understood why I was self treating with MJ to control pain and be able to sleep....So hopefully since I have had the C&P done I will hear something is the next 60 to 90 days......The other C&P I had that day may tie into this one because it was for my wrist and both knees, all of which cause me constant pain..So now I will just be patient and wait.......Thanks again for the responses

Thanks for the replies from everyone...i wait now hopeful that soon there is some news soon...And I realize this may just be the first round of a long battle...grid

It is very important to register...Within a month of my registration I was scheduled for an exam...It found 16 things wrong with me, some of which I knew about and others I did not.....Most of these can be traced to my Gulf War service....Even though you may not get an immediate rating for items found it will show and should be helpful for future claims....many GW1 vets do not start to manifest symptoms for several years....My symptoms have just starting getting bad in the last 5 years, but are getting progressively worse....Also they will send you the Registry updates when they publish them..Plus according to new Gulf War Study released this week by VA they will continue testing us and monitoring our health and list 9 presumptive illnesses that are Gulf War related should you be diagnosed with them....This can be very important...They are just now finding things that are associated with Agent Orange exposure from Vietnam Vets some of which they didn't recognize 10 years ago.....So if you are registered you are showing your service and hopefully they will keep in contact with you on changes and benefits that could affect you.........Grid

Had a C&P on 29 Mar 2010...Did not know what is was about until the Doc told me(All I knew was that I had 2 C&P's on that day)..I think it was positive for me..She was concerned about my insomnia, lack of social contacts, altercations at work and my suididal tendencies that I went through before current meds..We discussed my history, what I did and saw in the Gulf War etc, etc...It took about an hour and a half......Today when I went to my normal psych appointment (different doc), she told me that she has diagnosed me as having Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, and Pain disorder..Along with the Substance Dependency caused by the chronic pain................My question now is how much longer will it take for me to hear something from the RO about the claim.....I also had another C&P the same day for a different day....I know these claims will go back to at least May 2008 when I made the PTSD claim..So I understand that it is just building..Am I looking at another year or just a couple of months......Thanks in advance....Grid

I hope this is posted in the right category....I am sooo very mad at the VA right now.....I had requested and recieved a mental health consult...My primary Care Physician put in notes that I had symptoms of PTSD..I requested the consult based on these symptoms, severe depression and suicidial thoughts and insomnia...I went to my therapist appt. where I admitted that I had used Marijuana for pain and to help me sleep..She has me seeing a Psych through Telemed.........Yesterday I get a letter from VA stating that they need me to sign the form so that they can try to recover the costs from my insurance....Said they were treating me for Drug Addiction and Alcohol Abuse.....Yes, I smoked pot..Haven't in nearly 6 months and don't want to (it actually worked better than the meds they give me with less side effects)...But I drink less than a 6 pack in a years time.......I think that they are just doing this so that they can have an excuse not to rate me and use addiction as a cause for my problems....Any clues on how to deal with this...Should I talk to my service rep????? Is this just another one of there tactics hoping I will give up and go away .......Thanks,Grid

OK FOLKS, Just recieved the letter today that on the 29 MAR I have 2 C&P exams scheduled at the VA Medical Center....That is hopefully good news..The letter says it is at the request of the VA Regional Office in conjunction with claim or review of my disability...Problem is I don't know which claim..I have submitted a long list..Plus I had a Gulf War Physical in November which found quiet a few thing wrong with me.....The appointments are at 2 different times in the Special Exams Unit...One of them is listed as Gen Med.I understand that is general medicine, the other says NP, don't know what that is unless it means Nurse Practioner...A Nurse Practioner performed my Gulf War Registery Physical.....Am also seeing a VA Phsyche but don't think this is mental health.................Is this a follow up of My Gulf War or as a result of Schineski's new Gulf War guidance....How do I find out what the exam is for.......Any help appreciated..................Grid

Got my psyche to let me stop taking the amitritpline...It was just too much...Am still taking the Prozac but it has worked for me with few side effects in the past.....Also am taking Ambien for sleep also, Psyche knows and I asked...Am really starting to question how good my psyche is....Thanks for all the answers....Grid

Well, my psyche changed my scrip from the zoloft which was making me very drowsy and has prescribed Prozac (which I have taken in the past successfully) along with Amitriptlyne at night to help with pain and imsomnia.....Now I am sitting at my desk at work attempting to function and to stay awake.....I am going to get ahold of my psyche and ask to stop the amitriptlyne...It is making me worse than the Zoloft did......If anyone else had these problems let me know.....Grid

Carlie,Thanks for the answer, Yes my psych knows...I specifically asked about the combination of the zoloft and ambien....I listed all the meds I take..Other than VA prescribed meds all I take is Allopurinol for gout and they know about it..I have stopped taking OTC meds since they gave me the anti depressants and don't take any herbals or vitamins...i have an appt. with my psych next week and will ask to be changed to something else....Grid