ptsd Ptsd Claims And C&p Exams

[Guest Ginger]

I am attempting to assist my husband in his claim for SC PTSD but am lost in a process and world I do not understand. His claim was initially filed in June 2004. It was quite by accident as I went to the County VA Rep. attempting to get him treatment through the VA. After several years of treatment through private psychiatrists and psychologists, two psychiatrists finally diagnosed his problem as PTSD which resulted from his buddy being killed in a tank which was known to malfunction. It would do things after the main power was cut off but they were ordered to use it anyway. His buddy was caught in the turret. Although my husband and another friend tried to save him, he passed away. When the interview with the Rep was completed, the Rep. told me he had filed a claim for compensation and to go over to the VA Med Center to apply for treatment which is where he has been treated since that time for which we are most grateful. We gave the Rep. names of the witnesses and the victim as well as informing him my husband was told there would be a CID investigation and he and the other buddy who found their friend were ordered to guard the tank that he was killed in that night. I even did research and found the SS# for his deceased friend in the SSDI and conveyed that to the VA. I was most dismayed when he received a denial earlier this year stating they found no record of the death, or any CID report nor record of the existence of his other buddy witness or the Sgt. who came running to help extricate the victim. I was to understand THEY would help locate the information. Although I was unsure how to proceed, I began doing research on the internet and found the widow who kindly provided a copy of Certificate of Overseas Death, and the CID report. I also found his other friend who was a witness and the Sgt. who, to my UTTER DISBELIEF considering he wasn't supposed to exist, was a Retired Sgt. Major of the Army who also wrote a buddy statement. I also submitted the scant military records my husband still had showing he was receiving high scores and praise prior to his friend's death in June but after his performance deteriorated to the point that by November of that year he was receiving penalties ( I don't know the technical term) for being AWOL and not in formation, etc. and lost his rank. He has stated he went to medical for help and they gave him small pills (which he thinks were Melloril) and was told he would be alright. He begged to get out of tanks and back to his MOS of Forward Observer but was denied. The VA claimed there is no record of either his requests for transfer or the medical visit. Unfortunately, that is the only documentation I have not managed to access to refute what they say. The status now is that the new VA Rep "resubmitted" it under a "failure to assist" and my husband has an appointment for a C&P exam here in Western North Carolina, but they are not sending him to the VA psychiatrists who treat him but to a private psychiatrist contracted by them. This concerns me. Given the performance of the VA thus far, I'm not sure I can trust a doctor on their payroll and even if ethical, how can they assess my husband's condition in one appointment? I have had so much on me in the last 2 years, I feel as though I'm drowning. It's difficult enough to deal with his illness and all of our financial and personal things as well as keeping a home operational. For those of you who understand PTSD, I don't have to tell you he refuses to leave the house most of the time except for mandatory errands and bill paying. Any information you could give me on the claims process in re: PTSD, C&P exams, or support groups for PTSD Vet's wives, I would appreciate. I've asked at the VA Med Center but they know of nothing for the wives. The last couple of months he has been what I refer to as "closed for business" or "checked out" punctuated by fits of rage. The last couple of weeks it has worn so thin I feel as though I would like to crawl in a hole and not come out. Unfortunately, I don't have that luxury.

[Guest Berta]

I am concerned about something you said Ginger-

The SO or vet rep requested the military records????

I would- if I were you-ask him for a copy of the SF 180 he sent.

This process does take time but in 2 months most vets ether have their SMRs or the NARA sends them a letter as to where the records are- (which might be with the VARO) -

I needed my husband- he served in USMC and the Navy -they sent me Navy stuff and a letter stating his SMRs USMC were at the Buffalo VARO- which is where they should be-

I am attaching a SF 180-just in case the SO did not send for them

Have a question for all- will post searately

standard_form_180.pdf

[10thFO]

Ginger,

One thing, I have PTSD and I was being seen by a shrink at the VA. She kept telling me I should go to the Vet Center. Hell I thought I was already there. Finally I had a meeting with a social worker and she told me where the "Vet Center" was. Basically it's a place located off of the VA grounds, but is funded by the VA.

A lot of them now, have a wives group they do once a week. If you could find the one closest to you, it might help you some, and probably help your husband a lot. I'm a Somalia vet but have been well recieved by the Vietnam vets. It's just a good place to be with others that harbor the same feelings.

[Guest Berta]

That is a heartening post-veteran-there are many here who understand you too- Somalia, Vietnam, WWII , Iraq- PtSD is PTSD-that goes for non combatant PTSD too-a very real disorder- I am so glad you got to that vet center-

Yesterday a 101st Airborne Iraq veteran was on CNN -she had written a book about being a service person and also being married to one who also was in a war zone.She was right on about PTSD and told the interviewer that the VA really isnt doing all that can be done and it is even worse for reservists coming back to their reserve units- alone with other non combatants. The VA screening process now at discharge- how could that possibly uncover PTSD- the "post" part means after- and the manifestations can be many years 'after'.

The Book title- I did not catch- but will sure try to find out the title-

Veteran- I worked in a vet center in the 1980s as a volunteer- my life did a complete 180-

never been the same since- I was honored to be accepted into the vet center's PTSD Combat rap group and it changed my life forever-

As Shoshanna Johnson (POW Iraq) said- vets need to stay in close contact with their units and their buddies if they can- nothing can prevent or cure PTSD but knowing you are not alone is a tremendous help.

Especially when families, civilians, and even spouses do not comprehend it and want you back the way

you were-

that person is gone-they just have accept you all as you are unconditionally and maybe even try to learn more about PTSD themselves.

Welcome Aboard and thank you for your service! Berta

[10thFO]

Berta, I thank you for your kind words. They mean a lot.

I was on the old board. It's there i was helped to push my PTSD claim. Lord knows the SO didn't want me to.

I basically replied hoping that I could help someone out that was suffering from PTSD, whether it be secondary or firsthand.

I know it's a tough row to hoe. My wife doesn't understand, unfortunately she is too busy with her work to understand that PTSD makes it very hard to cope with everyday life. Makes me fell like a malinguerer..... It breaks my heart but I know deep down we won't make it. She can't change who she is, and Ican't either, not like I haven't tried....

Sorry for the thread hi-jack.

[Pete53]

Ginger:

I have rarely seen a decision without a C&P so yes you need it and if you go prepared it should help. Make sure that they are on task and take ammunition with you.

You can find copies of C&P exam on hadit and also recommend that you review info on how to handle a C&P. Usually a decison is made a few months after the C&P but it still takes a long time.

Good Luck

[Jay Johnson]

The spouses are always left to fend for themselves. Being the "husband" of a PTSD vet has been more difficult then anything I've ever done in my life. When a person is totally reliant on you for everything and cannot even be left alone, it's like having someone who is paralyzed from the neck down (in some cases worse). I deal with constant mood swings, nightly counseling sessions, etc.. The wife rarely helps with our 3 young kids (they cause her a HUGE amount of stress) and can only help with household chores on "good" days and only for very short periods of time.

I am not able to work (trying to find something to do at home at the moment) and I play the role of husband, father, psychologist, psychiatrist, maid, accountant, mentor and VA repressentative on her case.....I increasingly find myself on the verge of insanity and egerly awaiting death, but suicide and depression don't fit into my schedule these days.

What's worse, is that the wife looks normal for the most part (aside from missing eyelashes, eyebrows, and sores from picking and pulling)...Most people see her smile and think, "this guy is just lazy". You see, at least with physical disabilities you get empathy from the majority of the people you meet, in cases of psychiatric problems people just don't understand. The VA may have compensated her from her problems, but what do I get for giving up my life to ensure that she has one? The VA, and society in general, are still in the dark ages when it comes to mental health and the implications therein.

Edited October 6, 2005 by Jay Johnson