ptsd Wrong Envelope!

[OIF 03]

I made a post in sucess stories, (3)which was a mistake because I only meant to post once, anyway another member suggested that I post here to get a better response from some of you elders out there. I was denied all three of my claims today and I am devastated. PTSD, Back, and Tinitus. I am a Iraq vet that was in Baghdad from 03 to 04 when all the poop was starting to hit the fan. I have obviously learned from this site that my first recourse is NOD which I will file tommorow. The specifics of my claim are on the success stories site but I will write them hear so I can reach as many people as possible. My PTSD was denied for these reasons

1. I failed to check off the box that said that I had physcological problems when we first came back.

2. I was previously treated for depression prior to ever going over to Iraq

3. My accounts of my combat were vague according to them and they can't be substantiated

4. I never received any combat action badges thus I was never in combat.

The ironic part is that some of the same soldiers that were next to me when the bullets were flying have been compensated, and the VA doctor that examined me diagnosed me with PTSD along with a private doctor that I have been seeing on and off since my return!!! I am very confused and hurt by there decision because it makes what I went through come into question and I can't have that. Any help in how I should attack my appeal would be greatly appreciated. OIF 03

[OIF 03]

One last note.. don't forget your " Combat Action Badge ", which was issued to all troops in that area. I disputed with the VA about me not being a combat veteran by mentioning this and the largest percentage of fatalities were in transportation or while out on the roadways. They need to realize that we are not fighting the Russians anymore. Due to the shortage of troops, many soldiers were and are performing combat duties regardless of your MOS.

Thanks but Combat Action Badge's were not issued to everyone over there. I was an MP in many combat situations and I did not get one. I believe you have to apply.

OIF 03

[OIF 03]

OIF, I feel for you brother and hope you don't give up. I was with the 4th ID out of Tikrit back in 03-04 also. I am currently receiving a combined rating of 40% for my PTSD and back. Let me tell, it was not easy getting through the VA system but I never gave up. I did the whole claim process by myself and some remarks I've got was that they can't believe that I achieved it without any help. I was in transportation ( which in reality is one of the most dangerous jobs in Iraq ). The VA said I did not have a combat job but I argued that fact too, and I did not check in the box either. Who would when all you want to do is come home? Here are some of my steps that I've done -

1. Most important!!.. Get into the VA system and register as an OIF Vet. It is a hot topic and they have conselors such as program people and social workers to help you.

2. If PTSD, request to see a shrink within the VA and maintain that visit. I was lucky that my Doctor was one of the founding father of the PTSD program for the VA.

3. Keep on seeing your shrink regularly. Tell them about how you feel and what happened over there, focus on your worst days, don't chat.

4. If you have other issues, get medical treatment or a checkup for those too.

5. I focused on a couple of incidents, stressed on those incidents with the shrink, and provided evidence to support the claim. Examples that I've used were line of duty reports, buddy letters ( from your commander too ), news report of the incident ( my incident was recorded on paper by the Military Command on their website ), and most importantly, how your symptoms are effecting your life, and be honest.

6. Enlist the help of your local VSO, such as the VFW or American Legion, especially on your NOD letter. I have to admit, some might have more weight than others.

7. Focus on what type of person you were prior to your deployment and how you are now.

8. Enroll in the Gulf War Vet program and their registry. This might open up new testing and avenue for you to approach your claim. This program is for both conflicts.

Don't give up brother and best of luck!!

Thanks Man,

It's nice to see a soldier that was over there the same time I was get his just due. I will certainly consider everything that you said, I was just curious to see if you got everything the first time, I was naive in the process and did not provide the proper documentation needed to support my stressor claims and it hurt me. I also filed for back and tenitus, and both were denied.

OIF 03

[iraqx2]

I hurt my back from falling off the top of a PLS truck. I realize it now, one of the most important evidence I got was that dirty sand stained paper from the MASH unit called the LOD . When I came back home, the back pain comes and go. I had to take an MRI for it and complained about the pain. The MRI was negative, but the VA can't dispute the LOD. But in reality, I was more suffering from PTSD. Eight months after I filed, they gave me a combined rating of 10% for my PTSD and 20% for my back. Ten months later, I decided to gather more evidence and wrote up an NOD. Then I gave it to VFW's VSO so they can file it on my behalf. Six months later, my rating increased to 40.

You should work on your evidence and focus on your NOD. You have nothing now but a good opportunity to get through your NOD.

The great irony in my whole ordeal about filing is that a VA clerk suggested it. I did not know anything about the VA compensation plan. Four months after coming home, I showed up at the VA one day simply to register.

[Berta]

"Thanks but Combat Action Badge's were not issued to everyone over there. I was an MP in many combat situations and I did not get one. I believe you have to apply."

This link shows the criteria:

http://www.answers.com/topic/combat-action-badge

I will try to get a better link from the mil to verify-

there is a blog on the net that says many non combatants in OIF got CABs ???

Do not hesitate- any man or womwan who servied in OIF to send in a DD 149 if you feel your DD 214 does not reflect your awards properly.

dd0149.pdf