duke3913

It was my original award so back in 2011 or so. Sorry don't have the award in front of me. I was awarded 30% for a dysthmia condition for a depressive disorder, and 10% for tinnitus. My rep supposedly sent in the appeal paperwork but come to find out after a year of inquiring with him on my status I found he was no longer employed as a VSO. The new VSO that came into the office looked up my file and stated the previous VSO did not submit the paperwork and left under questionable circumstances.

While serving in iraq in 2005 I was tasked in route clearance in and around Baghdad. My buffalo received several direct RPG strikes, small arms strikes, and on one occasion I was in a humvee when a 5 array efp detonated. I received shrapnel, was knocked unconscious, and lost my driver that day. I had problems with memory when I returned however dealt with it and finally a couple of years later I sought answers as to why my memory was so bad. It turns out I was informed that I have damage to the left side of my brain after an MRI. I also suffered from depression since coming home and eventually began taking meds to combat that. When it came time for my compensation exam the psychologist stated that she doesn't believe I have ptsd and that the mri shows tbi. I agreed with her that it was probably the leading factor to my issues and went on to my next appt. with the neurologist. He informed me that I don't have TBI and that I could of possibly moved during the MRI and he believes I have Ptsd. So in short I get issued a 40% rating for tinnitus, a condition under ptsd, 0% for my knees as I was in an airborne unit with alot of jumps, and a 0% for my high blood pressure. I requested a DRO through my VA rep who never filed for it. I had joined the national guard and was selected to go to a mobe site as I was flagged for another possible deployment. While there the doctor opens my file and says I'm non deployable due to my TBI, and that I have to file for a medical retirement. He links me up with some Colonel who starts that process. After 6-7 trips to Ft. Campbell I'm told by the last person I saw down there that I meet the criteria for a full retirement, however since I'm successful in the civilian world now I don't. Again I'm told I can file an appeal and that I could do so after I receive all my medical documents from them and I would have 60 days to do so. Paperwork or appeal paperwork never came. As I don't have time with my civilian career I rolled over and just took it on the chin. Now after getting a divorce I've found more time and been thinking about how my issues from deployment are primarily responsible for my divorce that I should look back into filing an appeal. I'm at a loss I suppose and just dis-heartened with the treatment received. Any advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

Real quick about me. I'm a two time vet and purple heart recipient. I have filed for ptsd, tbi, and tinninitus. I only filed after hearing from a VA doctor after an MRI that I had three spots of damage on the left side of my brain. I knew I had symptoms of PTSD but I muscle through them and have found ways to overcome my memory loss etc etc etc. I've been blown up on 4+ documented occasions and the last time exposed I sustained a blast from an efp which riddled my left side of my body with shrapnel. My kevlar stopped a large portion of the material thankfully or I wouldn't be here to write this. During my c&p exam I have the psychologist stating I suffer from possible TBI however she can't diagnose that as it's not her specialty. After that examination I walk into the neurologist examination and he states after all is said and done that he believes I suffer from PTSD. Uhhhhh.Ok.... Not one time is my MRI brought up and I think I screwed myself by not opening up completely. I never began this for compensation only treatment. I'm an honest person that wants to work for a living and currently I'm a police officer so I find it difficult to admit to disabilities or symptoms as I don't want them to somehow interfere with my civilian career. A career that I have excelled in since leaving active duty. So I'm just wondering if anyone else feels they have received the same treatment and what their outcomes were.