Could This Be My "stressor"

[Ryan H.]

I was awarded Combat Aircrew Wings after my first deployment to Iraq. They are the equivelant to a Combat Action Ribbon, but the VA does not recognize that. It seems that since only a handfull of people get these they just turn a blind eye to it. I would like an opinion on this because I am taking this MCO and my Original award certificate into my C&P this Sat.

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MCO P1000.6G

COMBAT AIRCREW INSIGNIA

1. The Combat Aircrew Insignia may be authorized for those aircrewmen

qualified under para- graph 3309, who have participated in aerial flight

during combat, and those enlisted personnel who qualify for nontechnical

aircrew positions and serve in such positions in aerial combat.

2. Unit commanders may designate as combat aircrewmen, and authorize the

wearing of the Combat Aircrew Insignia, those enlisted personnel who

satisfactorily meet the prerequisites listed below. Make an appropriate entry

(to include any authorization for combat stars earned under paragraph 3310.4)

in the Marine’s record per current instruction.

3. The prerequisites for designation as a combat aircrewmen follow:

a. The Marine must be a volunteer for combat aircrew duty.

b. The Marine must be qualified per physical and psychological

requirements of the Manual of the Medical Department.

c. The Marine must be a regularly assigned member of a flight crew in an

aircraft participating in combat operations.

d. The Marine must be a graduate of an established course of instruction

and/or OJT qualifying the Marine for a position in the flight crew of a Marine

aircraft.

4. Combat aircrewmen who have qualified to wear combat stars may wear the

Combat Aircrew Insignia on a permanent basis. A maximum of three combat stars

may be awarded for display on the Combat Aircrew Insignia. The criteria for

earning individual combat stars (which are authorized by unit commanders) are

as follows:

a. Engagement of an enemy aircraft.

b. Engagement of an enemy vessel with bombs, rockets, torpedoes, guns or

missiles.

c. Participation in offensive or defensive operations against enemy

fortified positions.

5. A Marine who is qualified to wear both the Naval Aircrew Insignia and the

Combat Aircrew Insignia has the option of wearing the one of his choice.

Requests for verification of combat aircrew status must include sufficient

documentation to substantiate compliance with the prerequisites. Address all

inquiries concerning this insignia to the CMC (ASM).

6. The combat aircrew designation will be canceled by the unit commander

whenever the flight status of the Marine is terminated because he is no longer

physically, psychologically or technically qualified for combat aircrew

duty,or because he is transferred to a billet in which duty involving flying

is not required. Unless the Marine has qualified for permanent retention

under paragraph 3310.4, the authorization to wear the Combat Aircrew Insignia

is revoked upon cancellation of the designation.

[cowgirl]

Ryan, I see you posted that you have C&P this week coming up. What is the C&P for? I'm not sure about this award and how it would support a C&P exactly. The best way to prepare for a C&P is to know what exam is being given, find the VA worksheet for that, have knowledge of the condition you are requesting and a strong medical opinion. As far as a 'stressor' I hope you search and read about stressor letters&support here using the search feature. Dates, reports, locations, witnesses and buddy letters. Sure helped me, originally I had written nitty gritty details (nearly a book) over a year before I found Hadit. Hope the best for ya, cg

Edited March 17, 2008 by cowgirl

[Ryan H.]

I have a C&P for an increase in rating for the service connected Anxiety (PTSD). I have been diagnosed by a VA Dr to have PTSD and i think she is going to write me a letter tomorrow after our apt. I am currenty rated at 0% but I had a GAF score of 60 given when I had my first VA C&P's while exiting active duty. That was almost 3 years, a marriage , 5 jobs and many long nights ago.

I also have a C&P for my right Ankle and Acid reflux on the 28th. My ankle should be easy enough to prove considering I have 2 specialists opinions and just had a surgery on it a week ago. The acid reflux is going to be hard to get an increase for. My esophagus has to be in worse shape than it was when they service connected me for it before. Who knows though. its worth the effort.

[Philip Rogers]

Someone recently posted a news article that the VA's stressor requirements are being dropped but until it's official I wouldn't count on it. You can take that document with you to your C&P, although I don't know how much help it will be. The stressor issue is basically decided by the adjudicator and they generally require documentation of the incident. It should be an incident where you were in fear of your life or physical harm/injury. You can/should relate this stressor/incident to the examiner during your C&P exam.

pr

[Berta]

The stressor requirements are not dropped in the new policy-

unless the veteran has inservice diagnosis of PTSD due to combat:

http://www.hadit.com/forums/index.php?show...l=Daniel+Cooper

as Pete said in the topic posts--this means nothing new-

if a vet got PTSD diagnosis in service prior to this new policy-they most probably didnt have to fulfill proof of stressor.

[Testvet]

you still pretty much have to relate to a specific incident that invoked the fear of death into you, my step fathers was the flak over Germany during the bombing runs of WW2 and all the other bombers that were shot down I watched him rip the arms off his easy chair the day we got the DVD "Memphis Belle" that plane and crew was in his squadron he was fine until the scenes with the flak he turned white and grabbed the arms so hard that he snapped them off the chair, tell me he didn;t have PTSD but like most WW2 vets he never went to the VA he went to the liquor store

[cowgirl]

Ryan, I see whats ahead of you Ryan and hope the best for you. Sorry to hear about your dilema and am glad you are getting care from a doc. Again, when attending the C&Ps its important to know what to expect so the 'examiner' treats you fairly. Note, as far as my stressor letter went, I was able to 'edit' it keeping the strong points, removing fluff and it worked, thanks to advice from Hadit! Best to ya, cg.

I have a C&P for an increase in rating for the service connected Anxiety (PTSD). I have been diagnosed by a VA Dr to have PTSD and i think she is going to write me a letter tomorrow after our apt. I am currenty rated at 0% but I had a GAF score of 60 given when I had my first VA C&P's while exiting active duty. That was almost 3 years, a marriage , 5 jobs and many long nights ago.

I also have a C&P for my right Ankle and Acid reflux on the 28th. My ankle should be easy enough to prove considering I have 2 specialists opinions and just had a surgery on it a week ago. The acid reflux is going to be hard to get an increase for. My esophagus has to be in worse shape than it was when they service connected me for it before. Who knows though. its worth the effort.