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Question About Ptsd/ Alcoholism "process"

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Quint7

Question

I am awaiting the results of the rating board for a claim I have for a knee problem (currently 0%) and back problem (DDD/IVDS, no SC yet) but have finally taken the HUGE step... to me at least... of going and talking to the VA about PTSD and alcoholism.

I have been meeting with a VA social worker regularly and met with a psychyatrist once. The Doc prescribed Zoloft which gave me crazy side effects (tremors, numbness, sweating out of the blue) so I stopped taking it and was told by the doc that that was the thing to do.

Both of them refered me to a PTSD doc and alcohol social worker. I met with the alcohol social worker and she was blown away by my abuse... I guess because I manage to still work, etc. She said that she would've recommended an inpatient treatment if I didn't have a job. I then met with a different social worker for the PTSD. Not very useful... he just sat there most of the time saying nothing. He asked if I want group or individual treatment and I said I didn't know.

Anyway, I asked the PTSD guy if I am supposed to take a test or something for VA to use to rate me and he kinda blew me off. Everyone I have talked to told me to hold off on filing for PTSD (and I guess I should file for alcoholism as secondary?) until I get my decision on the current claims. The alcohol social worker wants me to attend the out patient classes whenever I can make it down (its a 30-45 minute drive) which I will probably do. The PTSD social worked said something to the effect of "him seeing me instead of the doctor" and I really don't know what else to say about him.

My question I guess is, is there something that they are supposed to be doing to make my PTSD and alcoholism "official" or does that come when I file a claim?

This process seems kinda strange and the fact that I saw 4 people who all said I am definately PTSD and have alcohol problems seems like enough but I don't know.

I've tried researching here but I guess I'm kinda confused.

Oh, and for what it's worth as far as a Nexus or something, I was in combat, have USMC Combat Action ribbon right on my DD214 and even have the actual minute by minute official account of what my unit did (Task Force Ripper, 1st Gulf.... found it on the web somewhere)..... so I don't think there is any question of it being SC.

Much thanks to all!

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Sounds to me like you have PTSD as a result of combat, and you are attempting to self medicate with the alcohol. This is typical of myself and so many others.

You might want to get a non-VA phycologist or physychiatrist who specializes in this sort of thing to examine you and write up that you have these symptoms as a result of combat. Sounds like you have lots of proof that your unit saw action, but do you have any proof that you were actually involved. Might need buddy statements.

If I were you, I would file a claim for PTSD immediately, and use the services of a reputable claims processor such as the DAV, VFW, etc. to help you.

After you are awarded the PTSD, then you can apply for alcohol as secondary to the PTSD.

I have gone throught the inpatient program for alcohol, twice, and it is helpful. Also there is the PTSD group at the VA that you should probably join.

good luck

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I actually did get a guy from my platoon to write a brief statement about our service in Kuwait together including being trapped between 2 minefields while the Iraqis were walking their arty in on our position, along with my backing my Amtrac (tank type thing) into a bunker and having to make repairs under fire after getting it out. He did it on his computer but signed, dated it, etc in ink and I kept the envelope he mailed it in.

It was talking to him for the first time on about 10 years (and getting a bunch of pictures of us from Kuwait that I had never seen) emailed to me from him that I think actually made me finally decide to do something about all of this.

I have read on here I think that they are supposed to get you to take some test ...... don't know about that. I would like to file immediately, but Buffalo (the office my file is out of) told me that they farmed it out to St. Louis to get a decision faster as they are swamped. It has been in St. Louis for a month so I guess waiting a few more weeks (hopefully!!!!!) for a decision won't bother me.

I am using a rep from NY State Vets (he is also a DAV rep I believe....) but to be honest, I have done all of the leg work. Seems that the "there's no rush, we can always file for more stuff later" approach is the norm.

I do plan on joining one of the groups or something and to be honest, the alcohol classes seem more important to me right now.

Thanks for the reply and I hope that you are hanging in there.

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  • HadIt.com Elder

You should be seeing a VA psychiatrist about the PTSD. Documenting your PTSD symptoms will help when you file your claim. I would file for it. Why wait? The VA is going to take their sweet time anyway. What you need is a psychiatrist's opinion that you have PTSD and you need to write a stressor letter. I think you should get started on it. It can take time to get these claims accepted.

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I thought that the VA considered all veterans who were in combat to not need a stressor letter (from what I have read on here). Isn't that the case?

Also, I agree about seeing the shrink, I was kinda pissed off that the Social Worker told me the other day that "he was probably seeing me instead of the doctor".

I have a meeting this friday with my other social worker and I'm gonna ask him why I'm not seeing an actual doctor as far as the other guy goes.

I hate to slow my other claims down as it has been over a year and a half and they have already screwed it up once adding who knows how long to the process.

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"I am using a rep from NY State Vets" -might be the same one of 4 that I charged with Vet rep negligence-

Can this rep still hold your POA with the claim in another state now? I guess he could but am not sure on that-and wonder if VA considered that when they started farming claims out ????

something you said surprised me-

My husband (USMC Vietnam) saw plenty of Combat but never got the CAR-(documented combat)

there is a six point criteria for that-

He fits into this criteria and already got a DD 215.

Maybe his PUC covered it though. ???

Maybe I should ask the Gov why-

thanks for tipping me off on that-

The VA should concede combat -in your case- but they still will want a stressor letter.They certainly did in Rod's case-he had to give a 12 month,detailed - month by month account-maybe this has all changed by now-

it asked for how many fire fights, how much incoming exposure,and some sensitive questions as to EN KIAs.

That was in those days -what they called the stressor letter.(The PTSD questionnaire)

You asked about PTSD and alcoholism-

alcoholism can be secondary to PTSD- but the dont pay comp for alcoholism.

They DO pay comp for any disabilities that alcoholism caused if the alcoholism was found to be secondary to and caused by PTSD.

My husband in 1983 thought he was an alcoholic. He stopped drinking and went to AA-he continued attending AA every week until he died.

The VA docs never even considered him to be alcoholic-they stated this many times-

His family was furious with him-when he joined AA because they drank more than he ever did-

but his point was-

HE felt he drank too much and maybe would never stop so he stopped drinking and joined AA.

Drinking -as you know by now- makes PTSD much worse.

At least my husband said it did.That is my long point here-

it doesnt help PTSD at all.

Allen V Principi says that if a veteran develops any serious disabilty due to alcohol abuse, and the alcohol abuse is found by medical evidence to be due to SC PTSD or any other SC disability the VA will consider and service connect the additional disability as due to the initial SC disability that caused it.

I was at the NY State vet reps office the same week they posted the Allan decision in the Bath VA domiciliary-they become overwhelmed by vets in the VA Dom AA program-trying to file a claim for alcoholism itself.

Certainly many did have a legitimate SC cause for it-but mmost (fortunately) had no disabilities from it.

The Veterans Administration -in my opinion- has the best handle on alcoholism around-

they include AA in their program-

other than that- AA alone can help someone considerably-

Some VAMCS like Bath VAMC have AA meetings-I dont know if all VAs do-

They are great.

Getting help for alcoholism is more important than a VA claim.

I lost a very good friend to alcohol abuse 20 years ago.He had invited me to come to the Vet Center-where I ended up as a volunteer-he had a DUI and could not drive and needed a ride anyhow-

The VA denied his wife DIC-he died with three small children-Vietnam- Screaming Eagle- highly decorated-100% SC for PTSD-

the VA said he died due to willful misconduct as he refused to take any steps to overcome this addiction.

GRADUATE ! Nov 2nd 2007 American Military University !

When thousands of Americans faced annihilation in the 1800s Chief

Osceola's response to his people, the Seminoles, was

simply "They(the US Army)have guns, but so do we."

Sameo to us -They (VA) have 38 CFR ,38 USC, and M21-1- but so do we.

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Berta, thanks for that response. I have known that I have had a problem with booze for a long time and I am not expecting any comp from the VA for it, but if PTSD is a contributing factor then I want that documented. Like you said, if something happens down the road due to it, let them be on the hook. As I said, I haven't filed for PTSD yet, so I don't know if there is more to the process which is why I posted this. I now that my step-dad had to do a test or questionare or something but that was over 6 or 7 years ago.

I know that the USMC is VERY specific in handing out the CAR, so much so that I believe they dont consider an IED attack in Iraq as rating one because the Marine was not "engaged in combat with the enemy" or some crap. I also know that you cannot receive it if you are above the rank of Capt. I believe. As far as getting it in your husbands records, I believe that records of his unit and others getting awarded it should be enough for you to petition the military to amend his DD214. I know that the Kuwait Liberation medal came out after I finished my enlistment and I was able to submit for and receive it based on my record and other awards. Also, on my DD214 there was a space for awards and medals and I made sure that the clerk listed the CAR in there. If you can get a buddy statement or something to actually tie him to combat it might help. Like I said, the USMC is tough and we were told of units that followed behind us collecting prisoners that didn't rate a CAR cause they never took direct fire.... even though thet were only a few miles behind us going throuh Kuwait.

Your feelings about the Vet reps are understood. My mom had Pete Galia (sp?) and she wanted to clobber him. He actually had a retirement date and told her right up until a week before he retired tht he was working my step-dad's case w/o telling her he was retiring. She found out from a young guy Chris in Canadaigua (works for the state or county vet service I think). It all worked out for her, but I ended up using Kieth Robinson who seems ok, but I think is overloaded with work. He travels all over and I have been using him out of the Vet center in Rochester. He takes that "wait and see" attitude, but isn't a dick about it yet makes a point of reminding me that "they did this, they should pay for it", so I am continuing with him for now. I do most of my own leg work and submissions anyway thanks to this site.

I feel the same as your husband and have the same family and friend situation. Hell,most of my friends are in the bar and liquor sales business..... looking back I think that that is why I chose them as friends (not that they are bad people LOL). It is me KNOWING that I have a problem and actually finally wanting to do something about it. It is one of the toughest decision I have made... or am trying to make.

Look into getting your husbands Service Record ammended to ge that CAR and thanks again for the reply.

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