kowa

Thanks to all, I think I will go with my gut. I'm at 19 months so it has got to be close to decision time...

About to lose the house.

I contacted his rep, they want to help but I'm worried I won't get a fair evaluation. S.O. says it just makes raters mad, a trusted friend says it doesn't work that way..advice?!

Thanks pr, If they knew how the myotonia affected me, would it change the outcome? The myotonia is embarrassing enough, when I know I am likely to have anxiety attacks I just stay home. I have been trying to work for the past thirteen years and now I am accepting the fact I will not be able to retire anywhere.

I was working when I had this exam but wasn't able to go in after I found out about the myotonia and have been unemployed since that time.

I am currently at 30% PTSD but was advised to put in for a raise. I did 12-2011 and had a c&p 4-2012. It was kicked back for some reason and I had another c&p 8-2012. My SO wasn't telling me why so I requested both notes. I got the second one back, changed SO's in the process...I like to know why things happen and not be blown off. Anyway the summary his kind of hard to read about yourself but I am curious if you guys can tell me about where you think this would be rated. My GAF for this day was 50, it is always in the 49-52 ballpark with my therapist, according to her. Summary and Diagnosis; The patient continues to have problems with PTSD. It was triggered by events that occured in service but had delayed onset. It is currently manifested by intrusive memories, nightmares, diminished interest in normal activities, detachment from others, restricted affect with suicidal thinking, sleep disturbance, anger outbursts, concentration problems, and hypervigilance. Problems are occuring on a daily basis and have been present since 2000. Intensity is moderate to severe with impaired social relationships, marital functioning, occupational achievement, ( I fast track until I have an anxiety attack in front of someone, then I am percieved as a "liability") judgement, mood, and range of activities. It interferes with being able o shop, eat in restaurants and to go to movies comfortably. The patient demonstrates reduced reliability and producivity in his occupational and social functioning because of the flattened affect, impaired concentration, impaired judgement, disturbances in motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective relationships. He is in need of medication and counseling, but the likelihood of significant change is low. The patient is competent to manage his own affairs. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was diagnosed with the Myotonia a couple of months later..."Adrenaline/epinephrine is well known to make myotonia worse in most individuals with the disorder, and a person with myotonia congenita may experience a sudden increase in difficulty with mobility in a particularly stressful situation during which adrenaline is released."....the myotonia will last 2-3 days after an attack. I hate that they do not know this because it is taking forever.

Reconsideration step has been eliminated in my state, so straight to disablitiy hearing. At least I will be heard. I took a surveillance job at a local casino, had two big anxiety attacks. All I had to do was sit and watch people and take notes. So pud...but the examiner didn't know that, as much as I hate the idea of having to tell people I am a waste of oxygen at least the judge will get to hear how this affects me.

Thanks for your replies and encouragement. I linked up with the lawyer and they are sending me the paperwork to appeal. Curious to how long this process will take? Thanks again.

" Your condition results in some limitations in your ability to perform work related activities. However, these limitations do not prevent you from performing work you hace done in the past as an Inspector/Surveyor, as normally performed in the national economy. We have determined that your condition is not severe enough to keep you from working. We considered the medical and other information, your age, education, training, and work experience in determining how your condition affects your ability to work. If your condition gets worse and keeps you from working write, call or visit any Social Security office about filing another application" First off, I worked and worked until my anxiety 'condition' has gotten so bad it keeps me from working, it's why I filed for SSD. I do not want to leave the house half the time. I am just at a loss with their reasoning. I have training, education, etc...but it doesn't mean squat when you have an anxiety attack in front of co workers and you go from fast tracking with a company to circus freak/liability. So you get another job while hanging on to the old one before they have a reason to let you go and the same thing happens so you do it again, then you get laid off ( fired really ) for the same issues...I have ran out of those jobs in this town so experience and training mean nothing. My lawyer wants to file an appeal. I always try to stay positive but am not at all positive at this time. Any advice? Do I have a chance when I appeal? The dystrophy was just diagnosed 10/12 and I finally had a sleep study done and have sleep apnea to be added to the appeals.

I was just diagnosed with myotonia congenita. I know it is has been a while since you posted but in case you ever get back on the boards you know you're not alone with this. I had symptoms of it in the Army, was even "treated" for the symptoms so the S.O. and I sent in a claim. We are born with MC so there is no denying we had it in service. I guess the question is can we prove we had the symptoms? I wish you well and good luck!

Update! I was awarded a percentage for PTSD but I guess my service rep noticed some things and thinks it's low and filed an appeal. Round 2 later this month, this adds to my anxieties and I cannot wait for it to be over! Can anyone tell me what to expect in this 2nd exam? PTSD- 30% Hypertension-10% Tinnitus-10% Right knee- MRI showed a Bakers Cyst and some mild to moderate issues. Left knee- MRI showed mild to moderate degenerative issues around the lateral horn and Chondromylacia. The ortho doc at the VA foo fooed my knee pain and attributed it to my age (early 40's) but ordered the first MRI anyway...made me feel like I was wasting his time. When the results came back he ordered the second to be done at a local hospital through Humana. Maybe he realized I wasn't kidding when I told him I have been living with the pain? Have an appointment next week as to how he wants to treat me. C&P has not been made yet for my knees. I had chronic shin splints the majority of the time I was in that's next. TIA for any information and apologies for my absence.

Thanks guys, I hope you are right. There are some other things the DAV rep put in for but I haven't heard anything back yet,, do they just do a couple of things at a time?

I balled when the examiner asked me a few questions, he said the Dr at my VA had diagnosed me with it and he agreed. He asked me if I had any questions and that was about it. My question is is this a good thing? I have heard so many horror stories I was waiting to be interrogated mercilessly.

Still no C&P letter.

Thanks Halos! So far I just get letters saying the VA hasnt forgotten me. No C&P date yet.

My wife says I'm a hypochondriac (sp)...I came home once from an out of town school because I didnt want to die out of town...it was an anxiety attack. I thought I was ahving an anxiety attack. I take a lorazapan now when it happens. But my wife is right, any twinge or sign of illness and I am trying to tie it to an incurable disease and my demise. I think it has to do with the dead people I worked on.

The last three hold phd's and are with the VA. One that said I should file a claim is also in the Marines (reserves). One he just sent me to specializes in PTSD trauma, when I told her the other Doc had recommended it she said "well, that makes two of us.." The one I started with had a masters and another had a phd who filled in while the Marine was over seas. As for it being in writing, only on my meds, they have all said I suffer from it but I havent seen it in writing. Depression as well. Yes, I worry they will chalk it all up on my dad. He didnt die until a couple of months later. I went to see a chaplain after one of the atoupsies, (thinking I could reclass, recruiters lol)I told him it really bothered me and he told me girls do my job...after that I felt as if I was not going to get any help. By that time I couldnt eat potatoes and gravy, I tasted some one night after being at the morgue and they tasted like the smell of it. Anyway, my point is I had it but felt like I had no one to go to with my problems if the chaplain would dismiss me like he did. I started drinking every night to get to sleep. So no, there is nothing on file for this. When DoD came to Ft Lee for volunteers to go to Airborne school and on to Bragg, I jumped at the chance to get out of there. I worked in the cemetary and was a rifle man on a burial team. No morgue work there, but I did lose a friend on a jump. I was locked down for the jump into Haiti...I am always being deployed in my dreams. Blood is always in them, sometimes casualties, sometimes not. Sometimes I am the towed jumper. I had one dream the first night I went to the VA and signed up of a burn victim I recovered,he was in the VA hospital and he came out of his room and told me he was gonna get my skin when I died. None of this has anthing to do with my dad. Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason to why I have an attack and others. I can trace it back to a smell. A bloody deer mess splattered across the hwy for example. The DAV guy claimed it was because of my MOS that there didnt have to be a stressor. I will look at your link after I am done with this. Thank you for your quick responses. I am scared to death of this C and P and my integrity being called to question so this is good because I imagine I will get the same there. How I was able to push through it I dont know, Part of the Airborne creed is I will finish my mission though I be the lone survivor. We are told from day one, you signed on the dotted line..etc. I didnt want to be a "trouble child" so I just kept it internal. I excelled in other parts of soldiering, CSM and LTC coins for best fighting postitions, rifle team at Bragg. Always on the QRF teams. Anything to avoid the morgue or collection points.

I wish I would have found this site a long time ago. I have been perusing the site and I have seen more valuable information than I have gotten from any of the military sites I belong. Will be sharing this site with them today. Thanks again.

I was in 92-97. Non combat PTSD. Have had the diagnosis by no less than 4 Dr.'s. I have seen the results of many violent deaths while on duty, the majority civilian. Kids were the hardest. I was locked down on the tarmac to jump into Haiti in '94 but that's as close as I came to combat. I had it when I got out but it became really bad in 2000 when my dad suffered a heart attack in front of me. Due to lack of knowlege and bad advice I didnt get into the VA system until '05 or 06. My current Psych guy told me I should put in a claim a year and a half ago but I put it off because I feel bad for having it and not being a combat vet and I was working at the time..I am "laid off" now with no chance of going back I have had trouble every job I have been on because of the anxiety attacks. I have many questions now that I have finally filed a claim. I see a bunch of guys getiting denied who seem to me to be far more deserving, so I'm really stressing the board when it happens. Maybe I should feel validated knowing 2 psychs have recommended me putting in a claim but I dont. 1. Is there a chance I get any compensation? Since I have been having trouble at work...I have anxiety attacks at work, people look at me different, (ie. "yeah, you were a paratrooper" or "you are a liability") I have trouble going back. For one out of embarresment and two because I want to hurt these people that give me grief. 2. I am worried about my future and have considered applying for disability with the state. Can I do that with my VA records? Would the VA doc sign off on that? 3. I cant find most of the guys I was stationed with. Our numbers were few, especially when I went to Bragg and Campbell. The DAV guy says I dont need proof of a stressor, do I bring in paper clippings of a friend I lost as a towed jumper, or the tornado that collapsed a Wal-Mart an we recovered 4 casualties (no awards, we were doing our jobs) How does the VA know if I dont bring these to the board? Any advise appreciated. Welcome any Questions if it helps provide a more informed answer for me.