On The Verge Of Possible Homelessness

[abnpayne]

Hello Hadit family. I've been monitoring the site for some time and this is my first post. It will be lengthy and I apologize in advance. I need some therapy so I thank you for allowing the post.

I was an Infantryman 11B. I am an OIF vet medically separated in Jan 05 for back pain due to scoliosis.

Two years before my deployment with the 4th ID, the spring of 02, I was diagnosed at Walter Reed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression "other than categorized." Walter Reed was my local medical facility because I was stationed in the Military District of Washington, and was serving in "The Old Guard" executing ceremonies in the Capitol Region and full honors funerals in Arlington Natl Cemetery. While in there in 3D INF my mid back and left rib pain began fall 02 during training for EIB testing. I grunted it out, earned my EIB then later visited sick call at the unit aid station a few times and was given the old take motrin, drink water, drive on treatment. I also fell in the barracks and injured some of the small bones in my right wrist. After visiting off and on for nearly two months, an xray and mri of my wrist was finally ordered. Surprise, there was a fracture and a bone fragment floating around in there. So I grunt these things out for a full year and PCS to 3d BDE 4ID, Fort Carson, CO.

11/03. The unit I was to be assigned A CO 1/8 INF to was already in Iraq and I was going to be deployed with one of the last groups of replacements. I was left with a difficult decision of alerting my new command of my back problem which continued to worsen and looking like a coward, or deploying and possibly becoming a liability to my squad in the event of having to carry an injured squadmember, my back going out and needing help myself. So I decided to give Ft Carson's medical staff a try for a diagnosis, after the drink water take motrin/drive on treatment in Ft Myer. The result was a diagnosis of thoraculumbar scoliosis(mid-back and neck). I was given a P3 profile and had to inform the rear detachment chain of command. The officer of the day's response was, "Can he hold a rifle? Then he's F'n going! Honestly I wanted to go, just prayed my back would hold up. Days later I report to my 1SGt in theater at Camp Paliwada(East Balad, Iraq)with a P3 and become a M-249 Sawgunner We do the Infantry thing and after a couple months redeploy. Back home the back pain increases I seek further remedy, the Docs tell me he Officer of the Day by reg should have sent me. Ten months later I am Medically Separated at 0%, Jan 05 four months before the end of my 4 year enlistment. Oh yeah, the Carson hospital had a CHIROPRACTOR!

On the The VA.

After separation I have been desperately struggle try to readjust and better myself. Back pain and anxiety have overtaken my existence with brief and cherished lapses. Once the $13k separation pay and unemployment ran out the troubles intensify.

My VA interaction is as follows. Decided 30Nov05

-SC 10% Degenerative Joint Disease bilateral knees

-SC 0% Bilateral plantar fasciitis

-SC 10% for scoliosis lumbar spine (my pain and curvature does not inhibit my range of motion much)

-SC 10% for Dysthymia "(also claimed as anxiety disorder)" this frustrated me greatly that the examiner changed a diagnosis of three years treated by different psychologists to a mood disorder the simply means, extended period of depression.

I also made a HUGE mistake by stating if felt "much better"

My claims for pes planus, acne, and avulsion injury to right wrist were denied.

I failed to appeal due to hopes that things would simply get better and I was just stressed about moving and readjusting to civilian life. I never thought that I would come have to rely on the VA for sustenance.

Where I am today...

Since my separation, I have only been holding jobs for three months at best before insomnia, anxiety, or confusion drives me to resign or face termination. I now face difficulty finding employment due to lack of stability in my resume, on which I omit ALOT of jobs. Being former Infantry also limits my scope of civilian sector skills. I nearly started with the Dept of Corrections as a last resort this week, but was strongly advised not to by my VA psychologist. Last year my annual income was under $9000

I'll follow up tomorrow, sleep meds and pain killers finally taking effect..... Matthew

[abnpayne]

no they will not go back to 2 years ago if you did not file a request for a higher rating before this, the effective date will be the month you filed the claim for TDIU by the way TDIU is not for the purpose of retraining you for another job, if you CAN work then you are not totally disabled Individual Unemployable (TDIU) if it is assistance you need for training and tech school or college then you need to file for Chapter 31 assistance the pay isn't great, which ever route you take nothing at the VA works fast, for temporary help the catholica Social services will help with rent, utilites, they have a great food pantry (best in town) and don't make you feel bad for asking, they are my favorite charity for use and donations they helped my wife and I a lot back in 2002/2003 if you tell the VARO it is a soon to be homeless issue they may speed the process up, no guarantees

Thanks for the referral, the reason I was looking into TDIU was my inability to MAINTAIN employment. I have found some information about the VA considering this language change, do not know if/when it has occurred. Working retail, stocking shelves and such, aggravates my back pain which varies in degree daily. I also think that this area in my back (between spine and back of right shoulder blade)is where anxiety stressors physically manifest. I count my blessings that it isn't in my lower back.

I have refiled for CH 31 in early July. The first time I filed (after my rating decision)I was inbetween jobs couldn't afford the gas to the written test site.

On the back-date note, what if my psychologist disagrees with the C&P's compounding of previous diagnosis into one. I know my lack of appeal is detrimental. I was determined to make it on my own and wanted very little to with the VA. This disagreement was also after the expiration of appeal date.

Alot has changed about the identification and diagnosis of PTSD, should that not be retroactive to separation? My symptoms were exhibited, just undervalued and not identified. It would be a new diagnosis.

[abnpayne]

Since you are already inside the door with a small rating it does not match your symptoms. It should not be that difficult to be upgraded to the proper rating. If you have filed a claim to look at your current ratings when you have a C&P exam you should be sure and tell the examiner that you have not been working and have had to rely on your Mom for your support. I had to do the same once when I was 48 and believe me it hurt me but it was a gift and my Mom and I ended up much closer.

I think that you should fill out the TDIU Form and attach it to your claim.

Good Luck

Pete

TY Pete

I have never filed for TDIU due to the schedule requirements. I also feel as if I am somewhat prejudiced against due to my age. I am my primary care physician's second youngest patient. I think he believes me to be deceitful. I have seen him three or four times in two years, only when back pain worsens. Once simply to get a referral to Mental Health, couldn't be scheduled without it.

I have greatly considered moving to Denver at least temporarily for a PTSD program. My social worker wants me to take part in an 8 week M-F class, or at a minimum weekly group sessions. I had a panic attack that cost me my last job at the end of June, I found cheap airfare (Mom paid) and visited my parents and sister's family. My brother's family is still here in GA. While there I interviewed for a couple of positions. After two weeks I returned to middle GA, aside for the Dept of Corrections, I have not been called back after any interviews. I think my anxiety was noticeable in most of them. I felt more relaxed and comfortable given the pseudo-military organization of corrections.

I do not HAVE to enter a veteran homeless program. I think doing so would relax the burden on my parents and friends, while enabling me to address these problems. I'm sure my friends are tired of seeing me down and out and withdrawn. Another alternative is living with my parents while completing a PTSD program in Denver. I'm torn between my lifelong friends in GA and family in CO.

Another point of my consideration is the Regional Centers. In my experiences via telephone the Atlanta office is adequate at best. I have called numerous times for a letter for Vet Preference for federal/state jobs. I have yet to receive one. While visiting in Denver, I called the Voc Rehab office, I left a message which was returned within five minutes. The next day, I met in person with the counselor to ensure if I were to move CH 31 would cover the out-of-state tuition until residency in CO was established. I also met with the Colorado Vet Services rep, similar to my GA SO. I turned in the application, then had to get my records sent back to ATL after not moving out there. This is why I haven't gotten a reply from ATL re CH 31.

I will soon be filing a new claim, and will attach the TDIU form.

I do have interview next Wed with a local town as a meter reader, wish me luck! TYVM

[abnpayne]

abnpayne catchy screen name.

TY, I've used it since I signed up an email account at Ft. Benning during Airborne School. I joined up to become an Airborne Ranger in early 01, but was selected and opted to go to DC. Thus a five-jump-chump btw Payne IS my middle name!

Edited August 24, 2007 by abnpayne