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chr49

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Posts posted by chr49

    Unsigned Doctor Report

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Any veteran who has an unsigned doctors report in his V.A. file should read U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals case 07-987 L.E. Johnson v. Eric Shinseki, decided January 21, 2010.n I found it on a website at www.linehanpac.com

    deltaj - I didn't have any luck with your website link.

    If You Live In Georgia, You Want To Read This About Ptsd!

    in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims

    Posted

    Checking military service and if you're going to opt for veteran's preference points is okay and not a violation. The employer just cannot ask what the nature of your disabilities (i.e. medical conditions) are. That is illegal.

    And just for those who don't know...I do have a Paralegal degree, and one of the areas I learned of and have researched is employment law (among 38 CFR and the USC governing Veterans Disability Benefits); so you know I'm not just making wild statements about what is or is not legal.

    T.S.

    Troy

    Thanks for the information. I remember that at least one of these companies was one that I was opting for veteran's preference. In honesty, it's been nearly a year ago but I know I was asked specifically what my disabilities were because I didn't want to put them on the application. I stopped applying at large companies for this specific reason. I was well qualified for the positions I was applying for and had excellent references so I can only assume that either my disabilities or age halted the process. Things may have ended differently if I had gotten a chance to be interviewed.

    If You Live In Georgia, You Want To Read This About Ptsd!

    in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims

    Posted

    http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/12/law-l...amaged-license/

    Veterans groups are blasting Georgia lawmakers for passing legislation that would allow a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder to appear on driver's licenses.

    Not only is this unconstitutional, it's patently prejudicial.

    If they're going to do this, they need to do it for EVERYONE diagnosed with PTSD, to include police, fire, domestic and rape victims (for example).

    The things our government bodies are doing to ostracize veterans is completely dumbfounding, foolish, and down right discriminatory against veterans!

    Yet another invasion of privacy!

    During my recent search for employment, I found many of the large companies would only accept resumes which were attached to their application. No problem, except every company that did things this way, asked about military service, requesting the type & the percentage of any disability. The minute I saw the the question I knew my employment background, references, etc. wouldn't matter. There were no questions about disabilities other than those military related.

    Troy,thank you for sharing this interesting information.

    20 Pgs Of C&p Exam Received Today

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Got the 20 pg report today...

    Mucho documentation regarding linkage and studies relating to the nexus's, and validating as causative relationship.

    Will just type parts:

    ...Standard Examiners Medical Opinion:

    The condition/disability Fibromyalgia was most likely permanently aggravated by S/C PTSD.

    Rationale for opinion...Veteran is S/C PTSD, based on the literature searches, there is no single cause & effect regarding what causes Fibro, however literature notes that Firbo can be due to PTSD and is noted that PTSD is a major contribution to Fibro. Therefore it is likely that a relationship exists between current Fibro and S/C PTSD.

    See literature below...

    Standard Examiners Medical Opinion:

    The condition/disability HTN is as least as likely as not(50/50)probability caused by or results of S/C PTSD.

    Rationale for opinion: Diagnosis of HTN made by private medical records and continue with VA Medical care.

    There is also a diagnosis of S/C PTSD. Based upon literature searches, it is noted there is not a single causation of HTN.

    Therefore it is most likely that a relationship exists between current HTN, and S/C PTSD.

    See literature below...

    Diagnostic studies

    Medical Journal articles

    Mayo Clinic References

    Case studies

    Medscape

    edu/patient/articles/what-causes-fibro

    psychiatric PTSD relationships/HTN

    Myfibro

    Edu.com

    Fibro related to PTSD

    The Free Library

    etc...

    Remember 20 pgs of linkage and did related to brain function studies and hormone levels, and so much more.

    I find it a trifle perplexing how the wording of Most likely that and as least as likely(50/50) in the same medical opinion could occur. Along with the use of medical verification there does appear to show definite linkages.

    Both exams were done this day after the original examiner was told not to opinion on as no records at all were at VAMC for examiner to view/relate to. There are much more + statements in the body of the relationship with the S/C and the secondary conditions, like 20 pgs worth, but wanted to post the most important statements for opinions for all of my fellow vets.

    I agree that the wording is a bit unusual but IMO this medical examiner appears to have done a fine job with his/her assessment, research and conclusions. Looks good to me.

    Cloudy, Partially Sunny

    in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims

    Posted · Edited by chr49

    Those of us from the Vietnam war or even Korea and WW II that have PTSD and never sought help, mostly turned to alcohol and street drugs for self medication trying to forget and suppress the memories, we never seem to "recover" because we have been "stuck" for too many years. I see the Psychiatrist and Psychologist once a month every month, group therapy every week, been through the 12 week CPT program. Still don't like to leave the house, hypervigilant, don't trust people or want to be around them. I think the Doctors update your case file every time you visit them so if they see improvement they will put that into your case file, that can effect your rating. As for myself, I keep taking the meds so I don't go postal, I tell the Doctors and Therapists the only way I will forget is to have a "time machine " take me back to the moment just before I jumped off the landing craft in Quang Ngai province in January 1966 and when the ramp dropped we were in Southern California @ Pendleton's San Onefre beach!! I hope you do have some recovery from this disorder, I would much rather be a "whole" person then a combat veteran "stuck" in 1966 and labeled disabled with compensation. I wonder how life would have been different over those last 44 years!! I wish you the best maset22, you stay in therapy for life if that is what it takes, I know I have too!!

    Pigdriver,

    What you've said says it all as far as I'm concerned! I will continue seeing my Psychiatrist as requested & going to my AA meetings twice weekly for the rest of my life. I need the continuous support.

    Thanks

    Finally! Thanks To Everyone Here!

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    Yes I got everything that I should have so no complaints there. They did only rate me as a single person even though I am married with kids. Kind of strange they did that as I have a copy of my C-File and in there are my marriage cert. and my kids birth certs. I am going to send them the info. on Monday. Hopefully getting my dependents added won't be to difficult.

    Thanks again everyone!

    Congratulations! I ran into the same thing re: dependents. I had to send all of the info again, as requested. They upgraded my determination immediately - No problem. I received my retro amount in 2 checks - one for the single determination and a second check for my dependents.

    Cloudy, Partially Sunny

    in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims

    Posted

    Well said and understood, chr49. I'm just suspicious of the process, specially since I don't know. Will post those concern with my Dr. Thanks for your timely response. maset

    Maset,

    Thank you for listening to my opinions. I can only tell you what has happened/worked in my life or what I've learned along the way. I can tell you that I experience the same feelings you do at times.

    The best advice I can give you is to educate yourself as much as you can. Searching thru the Hadit forum for info on topics of interest will help a lot. There's a lot of support here. The main page of Hadit.com has some great information links so I hope you'll check them out if you haven't done so already. The more you learn, both here and from other sources, the better prepared you'll be for life's challenges.

    Cloudy, Partially Sunny

    in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims

    Posted · Edited by chr49

    chr49, The Dr. had mention that I cannot stay in therapy for twenty years, plus to tell the truth, I'm a little tired of going about twice or three times a month. But I imagine there will be continuous follow ups. But I still have that main question lingering in my mind. Will the VA lean to reduce my C&P due to the looks of getting better? which is not overall

    Maset,

    I don't know about treatment times, etc. I'm just asking questions because I'm seeing my psychiatrist every 3 months for my PTSD treatment. I was first seen in 2007. I get my all of my medications refills from my PCP with the exception of my PTSD medications, which come from my psychiatrist.

    I hope others will correct me if I'm wrong here: I believe your Compensation & Pension exam(C&P) results go to the rater along with your medical/psychiatric records and other evidence. The entire package is used to determine your disability rating.

    In answer to your question: Yes, it is possible that you could have a reduction in your rating over time. Once you read over the disability ratings you will notice that you can actually work and have a 70% disability. Speaking for myself only, I don't want a 100% PTSD rating, since I would be considered incapable of caring for myself and making my own decisions and I know I'm still capable of those things.

    Cloudy, Partially Sunny

    in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims

    Posted

    Yes I agree with both of you? My big question thou is because I am going out more due to the dog. will that have an effect on my disability claim as far as a lower C&P. Because they might see progress. I haven't put in a claim as yet, bue to a prior claim that has not been concluded.

    Once you make your claim, your records will be evaluated and you will have your C&P exam. After all is said and done, your claim will be rated in accordance to the VBA 38 C.F.R. Book C, Schedule for Rating Disabilities. You can find this information at http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookc.html

    Look for information specific to PTSD as follows:

    § 4.130 Schedule of ratings — mental disorders

    General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders

    Your condition will most likely be re-evaluated periodically.

    I am not an authority on the subject but IMO I really don't see any reason why you shouldn't enjoy activities with your dog.

    Cloudy, Partially Sunny

    in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims

    Posted

    Maset,

    CHR's treatment for PTSD has been a slow, ongoing process much like you are saying. Your post says your therapy is about to conclude; will you be having follow up treatment on a regular basis?

    As far as working with your German shepard; I agree that a dog can really help. CHR has worked with our terriers on a regular basis for several years now. After a while he started taking them to obedience trials and Earthdog tests. Working with the dogs has made a huge difference in his life.

    Chr's wife - Kathy

    Son In Iraq

    in VA Disability Claims Research

    Posted

    I am just curious to see if other Vets have sons deployed to Iraq. My son is a baby, not even old enough to buy a drink in my state. Yet, he is in Iraq, in the Infantry, at risk of being blown up by a roadside bomb or who knows what else.

    It hurt me putting him back on that plane, knowing he may come home in a box. I just wish I could take his place.

    I do remember, being a Vietnam Era Vet, being booed at the airport in uniform. However, when I pick my son up at the airport in uniform, many times people come up to him and thank him for his service. I did not get thanked one time for my service until 20 years later.

    Sometimes I think if politicians sons were deployed to wars...we wouldnt have any.

    Yesterday, when I took him to the airport, we stopped for breakfast at Bob Evans. The manager insisted on buying me/my sons breakfast. (I told the waitress we needed to have our breakfast served quickly as he was headed for a plane back to Iraq)

    Anyway, if you have a son or daughter deployed to Iraq or Afghanastan, I would like to hear your thoughts.

    Broncovet,

    This is CHR49's wife. I have a grandson (19) in Iraq at the moment and pray each and every day that he will return home safely.

    Being the ex-wife and current wife of Vietnam veterans I can understand what you are saying about your return home. I know that my husband has always wanted better for our young men/women than what he received. I would love to see every young man or woman facing deployment or returning home treated in a manner far better than the young men of our era received.

    Your post gives me hope that opinions have changed over the years. I will place your son in my prayers, along with my husband's nephew (19) and my grandson.

    Kathy

    New Here

    in Introduce Yourself

    Posted

    Thanks for the warm welcome! I had my appointment Friday and the Doctor was wonderful and very kind. Hopefully all turns out well!

    Welcome to Hadit Tami. It's good to hear that your appointment went well. Keep us up to date on how things work out for you.

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