mrs rockman (widow of vet)

He was wounded at Banana Mountain in Feb. '71. I know you wish you did not have to receive the PH, but thank you for your service! Rockman's wife

Thanks. Rockman got a PH along with a Bronze Star with V Device and some others. I try to do research while he is at work. Any mention of VA kinds stirs him up, even though he is very grateful for this IHD comp! His PTSD is really playing havoc at work. Just about all he remembers now is things etc. from Vietnam. He will get through this, I know. Rockman's wife

He will. We had the RO call me yesterday to let me know that the third pary release of information finally had me on it. We sent the first one on 07/03/10. What speedy service-huh! The RO lady called back a gain telling me that a letter should be mailed out to my husband today regarding the PTSD claim. They show med info received. The letter will be asking us to show where his PTSD was in the service and thru the present. If we cannot get a hold of those records, then we cannot prove a thing. He did have anger issues in Vietnam and afterwards, but who knows if they will send that part. We have until 02/04/10 to get that info into them. for it is suspended. The one the mental health lady did has is susspended until 03/04/10. I am surprised they want to know service records except the mental health lady knew he was in bad shape. Now with this therapy going on, he is getting worse and worse all of the time. On his last session (this Monday), she told him that if it gets too hard, he can quit the sessions. That maybe what VA wants, then they can deny the claim. He told her that if he had not intended to finish the treatment, he would not have started it in the first place. The doors have now been open, so why back out now. Yes, it has been a long time since Vietnam on remembering, but he remembers the details that he had tried to forget and place in a closet somewhere never to be opened again. Good luck with your claims! Rockman's wife and always will be

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR AWARD!! How did you file COPD? My husband, who served in Vietnam, has asthma. We did not know how to file this, since his Pulmonary Fibrosis was denied. If we can ever get his military records, we can see where they notated his broken ribs. He has back trouble and may need to go to an orthopedic doc to see if this is why he is having such back problems. He has shrapnel right next to his lower back spine. Then we could file if it could be related. Thanks and we are happy for you! Rockman's wife

I forgot to say CONGRATULATIONS. This makes for a great way to begin the new year. This proves that there is still "hope" out there for vets.

It is kinda hard to dance with heart problems and pulmonary fibrosis, but we will still try. We can also hook up his oxygen if need be. They denied pulmonary fibrosis, so now we have to try and figure out how to do it secondary to IHD. HAPPY NEW YEAR AND A GREAT 2011 FOR YOU!! Rockman's wife

He originally got 10% for IHD, but when we sent in new heart cath and echo evidence, it was jumped up to 60%. He gets 10% for his scar, not for the shrapnel along his spine. It only took 1 1/2 months to re-instate that 10% on scar.

My husband and I am both thrilled about actually getting his IHD award letter and retro in the bank. I have read on Hadit that some folks see their comp in the bank account before they get a va award's letter. Well- this, I can tell you, is very very true!! I had a gut feeling to check our bank account on 12/17/10 to see if my husband had anything from VA deposited into our account. Well- right there before my eyes- THERE IT WAS!! AMAZING!. We filed originally on 02/22/10 and have it now! Thanks everyone for all of your suggestions and helpful information!! We could not have done it without you all!!! Everyone has to be patient- claims are being processed. NEVER EVER GIVE UP!! THAT IS WHAT VA WANTS YOU TO DO! YOU EARNED IT AND YOU ALL DESERVE IT! GO GO AND FIGHT FOR IT!! HAPPY 2011!! Rockman's wife

Thanks. The only records we have of my husband's PTSD is from the VA itself. He waited almost 40 years to decide to file for PTSD. He just did want those doors open and still does not want to. The VA Mental Health lady could not figure out why he has not filed for PTSD before now. He said that he was able to work. Now, it has really affected his job performance. He is coping the best that he can right now. I believe that alot of vets just do not want to face it. If they do no open up a claim, then they can deny having PTSD.

Let me start with the fact that my husband is in a individual 12 week coginitive therapy PTSD Program with our local VA CBOC. This claims applies to claims and also C & P Exams, so I was not sure where to post it. 10/18/10- Faxed form 21-0781- Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for PTSD to DAV(who is right next door to our regional office for claims. They walk it over and get it stamped then.10/26/10- Received a letter from VA that they received his application for benefits. They said that with the great number of claims, action may be delayed. They went on to say that they are in the process of deciding whether additional evidence or information is needed. If they need anything, then they will contact us. He had all of the stressors filled out with proof of a PH and a Bronze Star with V Device and it showed that he was on the ground boots running in Vietnam. I was surprised to even get a response that quick.We went to see our local VSO and he said that we need to go on and get the VA Mental Health lady to send in all the information she had on him, since she had diagnosed him with PTSD. That way, if they did need more, it would be right there. It would not slow it down, but speed it up.Last week after his session, my husband asked her to send in all of the information she had to the RO. She said that in her experience, when he had his C&P, they would just pull it up. She did not think that this was n ecessary. How do you know they will want to take the time to pull it up at the C & P? She does do her job very well.What should we do? Do we try again and stress to her that claims needs to have it in the file beforehand or should we have the Memphis VA pull up his records for all of her sessions, print them, and have that in hand and also fax it to them? Would you get the same thing that she would send by getting them yourself?You would think her diagnosis and all of his stressors would do. He cannot remember names around here, but he can remember all of his fallen friends back in 1970 and 1971. It is really affecting his job performance.Any help anayone has will be appreciated.Rockman's wife

He has short term disability. With his illness, he could not have gotten long term. His plan right now is: Step #1-He will work until at least the first week or two of 2011. This way he will get his 401k matching funds. Step #2- work until 03/31/10 ( if his health will hold up). This way I am covered on insurance with no patient responsibility. Step #3- Go on FMLA and burn all of his PTO hours ( at this point Social security said he can file for disability). We both will have insurancec with us paying it. Step #4- go on short term disability with insurance being paid. With his very stressful job, the stress is hard on the pulmonary fibrosis and also on his heart. Now with the PTSD figured in, it is nearly impossible. Things that never bothered him before, do now. Things that somewhat bothered him before, really do now. When he looks at the inmates- he sees vietcong in black pajamas. Also he cannot get the flu or any bug. He dresses warm and wears gloves, so he does not tough the inmates. If VA gives him enough on the comp, then, he may consider leaving after his 401 k is matched. Then he could begin FMLA etc. Your life is worth everything. He wants to be able to enjoy what time he has left with me and our daughter. It is just hard to live on SSDI laone. I have tried to find a job, so he could just leave. I do know whay it is important to get his retirement. Thanks for listening to my long post.

As of now, we do not have any new evidence to turn in. My husband has been to the cardiologist since August, but since nothing has changed, it did seem pointless to send anything in. PTSD, I am finding out is a very difficult thing to deal with, but sooner or later he would need to deal with it. The program he is doing is some of the same things he does for the inmates at work, so he is familar with it. Now, he is on the other side working thru all of the stressors. He does not like it, but does want to be able to deal with it and I know he can. He has the worst environment you can when dealing with PTSD. He does not know how long he can deal with the stress there with his PTSD popping up. I know the therapy is hard, because you start pulling things out, so you can lean how to put them back and control things. We have already talked to Social Security. He does have a target date to leave work, then will file. I am so glad we found this site. Cannot wait for the PTSD C&P exam to get scheduled and done with. That will be a good thing. Thanks for the advice. He is hanging in there and I am so proud of him doing all of this! rockman's wife

No, they did not. He had the heart C&P exam, but had tons of medical evidence from the private doc along with all of the hospital records showing IHD. The newest evidence they have is from 08/05/10. The C & P was done before the heart cath. She (the heart cath c&p lady) did tell my husband when he got any more medical info to send it on in, for it would only help and speed up his claim. The VA Pulmonologist is the one that wanted the heart cath. I know there is a new form that I believe I saw on one of your posts that had the new IHD form to fill out for claims. We did not do that, since the first IHD claim was filed in Feb. '10. I hope that is how we should have handled it. Since the medical evidence from August-with the cath. echo, and ekg, we have just left it alone for them to review. When they sent it back after the heart cath, I only see how it could help support his claim. Thank you and others with all the great information we can get from here!! I am just learning and have a long ways to go. I know after we receive a decision, I will be posting more- especially before his PTSD C&Pexam.

We are touching nothing on the claims until we hear something. Then if someting needs to be increased or whatever, then that is the time. Get the claim processed and money in hand and then and only then will we do anything more. Thanks

My husband filed to IHD for agent orange along with hypertension, coronary atherosclerosis, pulmonary fibrosis ( chronic lung disease) in Feb. 2010. The VA wanted him to get a heart cath and we told them we wanted to go to his own private doctor. After this was done in Aug. '10, our VA primary told us to send in the results: fax it- mail it, & then wait a week and call. We also faxed it to our VA pulmonary doctor and followed up with a call. Even out VA doctor knows how things can get "lost, may I say". His echo was worst than the one done in February at VA. When we checked it went back to wherever it goes. Our DAV rep said that they had made a decision on 12/01/10. We have a va letter saying that they are working on his COMPENSATION. I feel like it will not be long before we know what percentage and how much. Like I said earlier, I am writing this to keep my husband from having to deal with any more VA than he has to. I hope you understand.

Carlie, Thanks. You hear all sorts of things and you sometimes do not know which ones are correct. I am writing this for my hisband and I hope that this is okay with you. Since starting the PTSD individual therapy, you really do not want to mention the word "VA" to him. He is having a very difficult time with all of his Vietnam deamons. We have been married for 24 years and he has kept all the stuff in the closet. I just try and keep him calm and have faith.

I was told the other day from a friend who used to work at the DAV doing claims. He would have done ours if he was still there. He said that whenever you add new information always use form 21-4138. The main thing that you have to remember is: AMENDMENT AMENDMENT AMENDMENT If this is not on the form, it will basically sent it back into the pile. If you have THIS IS AN AMENDMENT on it- it will not slow it down. Any input on this or has anyone heard this? rockman

To all the veterans out there and the To all the veterans out there and those who are serving in the military now-HAPPY VETERANS DAY! May God bless each and everyone of you! rockman

Yes, I believe in " angels unaware". They are so many of them just walking around on this earth and no one recognizes them, but they are here for a purpose! What a touching moment! rockman

The medical professionals were not with the well known VA, but with my private cardiologist. Everytime I go to the cardiologist, I fax the pulmonologist at the VA my report and also claims. I will wait on these to go to claims, for it will only put me further back in my "claims basket of hopes". Last time they had to send it back for review. I know that this only hepled my case. This is the best sight for information you can use to help you and I am so thankful that I found it. Have a grat day! rockman

This info was very informative. Thank you. I never did link the two together. I go back on the 2nd of December for another echo etc. I know since doing all of this more and more things are popping up with regards to PTSD. I wake up several times each night. Sometimes I can remeember the dreams and sometimes I do not. I go back to the Mental Health lady the end of November to begin my 12 week treatment program. It sometimes feels like I am just getting worse and I guess that is normal, I am not sure. Will post on how it is going.