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 Ginger]

Ginger, You are doing a terrific job in basically doing the VA's job!! Unfortunately your case is pretty much what usually happens, you can not assume that the VA will really provide assistance. I believe the "Duty to Assist" for most VA RO's means sending a "Duty to Assist" letter to the veteran !!

Make copies of everything that you send to the VA, you will win in the end!!

Your husband is very lucky to have you as his advocate.

regards, Liz

My husband was rated 100% SC PTSD and received the retro pay back to June of 2004 today. I requested the SO to file for P&T as my husband has had severe problems since 1978 and has progressively deteriorated over the years. His VA psychiatrist certified on a few documents that he was "permanently and totally disabled," so I have submitted those as evidence. I know he won't get any better than he's been in the last few years and I'm quite sure they know it as well. He does derive some comfort from speaking by phone with his fellow soldiers who shared the extremely tragic and horrific experience. They seem to understand each other in a way that transcends words, time and geography. Now that the major headache with the VA is over, I can concentrate on taking care of my husband.