ptsd Ptsd And Peb Then Va...

[KenK]

Not sure where to begin...I've just completed my second deployment to Iraq and during the process of Reverse SRP at Ft. Bragg was pulled for WTU (I never was medavac), and then later transferred to CBHCO-AL. I have had three operations - Bilateral Carpel Tunnel Release's, Right Ulnar Nerve Transposition. Also, I have chronic lower/mid back & neck pain (no operations performed at this time for these later injuries) and numbness & tingling to my lower extremities.

After a month or so at home, my wife was afraid of the change in my behavior and forced me to contact my PCM. Thereafter, my PCM set in motion for me to see a Counselor (a civilian) then later a Psychiatrist (another civilian) for medication. I was subsequently diagnosed with PTSD by this Psychiatrist. Due to this diagnosis, I was later sent to NAS Pensacola for a Military Psychiatry Evaluation. The Doctor concurred with the initial findings of PTSD and found me Medically Unacceptable for duty with a S-3 and recommended for separation. I've just completed the MEB portion (being found Medically Unacceptable for duty by the board for PTSD) with a recommendation to be referred to a PEB.

I have over 22 years of Federal Active Duty (Marines & Army combined) and was awarded 30% compensation (L/Knee, Back and Tinnitus) from the VA after my first deployment to Iraq. Now, I have to face the PEB and fight from being sc***ed too badly then fight the VA for compensation all so I may provide for my family. I know there's just no way I can work right now if ever again! So I guess I'm asking is what can I do and am I on the right track.

Also, not sure if it matters, but I was awarded a CAB during my first deployment and have not received any awards so far from my second one. After all, I was just an attached soldier to the unit from a different state. I was deployed with the 3/20th SFG.

[KenK]

Thanks for the help! I think, I might be getting a handle on it now...Just wish it was all over and I could start my life back again. Berta, what do you mean by "copy of your SMRS"? Are you referring to my records? I do have copies of all records so far.

I finally let my wife have a one to one visit (of any kind) with my counselor yesterday. Not that I would ever tried to stop her if she wanted to go before. But, I was reluctant before because I didn't want her to worry..etc. And, they agreed that I am not able to work and that my PTSD is getting worse (suicide thoughts, etc...).

I am hoping to receive at least 50% from the PEB and 100% from the VA. Here's a question for you guy's, If I get 100% straight off the bat from the VA... does that mean I can't work and earn more than poverty level when the time comes? If thats the case, rather get less of a rating.

The Army states in my NARSUM that my PTSD started during my first deployment to Iraq (Oct. 2004-Nov. 2005) does this mean that the VA will start my claim from then? Also, really all of my claims except possible my appendicitis (I was in the middle of a test flight on my CH46 when it burst) occurred either during combat operations or hazardous duty, instrument of war. Since I have over 22+ yrs of active duty I rate CDRP and CRSC. But I am confused which would be the better program?

[Berta]

Jim-sorry about that - Ha Ha - then again some vets DO have two wives-and they have to contest these claims-there are some at the BVA web site.

Ken- with TDIU a vet who makes over the poverty level annual GNP) will get caught through the SSA and IRS stuff and lose their comp-

a 100% schedular award in some cases allows the veteran to continue working- I am not the expert on that-others will chime in-

Yes I meant the Service Medical Records and even any personnel records that might be important to your claims.

The earliest effective date for retro active payment is usually the day you file the claim or- if filed within one year after your service- the day after your formal discvharge from the Mil.

CRSC-CRDP-

the best program-if you qualify for both-is the one that would provide you with the most compensation based on your VA award.

By all means do npot hesittate to utilize the Suicide hot line -1-800-273-8255 if you ever need it.

It sounds like your wife is very supportive and this can be a tremendous asset when dealing with the VA and with PTSD.

The VA might well want to see your wife from time to time- it depends on who you get at VA for your PTSD.

I went to many therapy sessions for my husband (100% SC PTSD)with his shrink.

The wife of a local PTSD vet started a monthly meeting for spouses of PTSD vets and the local VA (Bath VAMC) allowed them to use the VA's community room to hold these meetings.

She was also a MSW and I felt the meetings were beneficial to the spouses.

As PTSD spouses we often feel alone and misunderstood-and deal with such a gamit of problems that it often helps to talk to other PTSD spouses about them.

This is NOT your fault- PTSD is a by product of war-

and can almost become "contagious" to the entire family unit.

[KenK]

Berta, I know what you mean about the support a man can get from his wife! I can say in all honesty that if it was not for my soul mate, I would have given up long ago! She can coax me out of bed when there are times I don't want to even go to the bathroom B) . Which makes it so hard on me (and Her!) when I lash out uncontrollably. I am trying so hard to take care of her too.

With all the info I received here, I don't think I want to go the TDIU route...I'm hoping to one day get back on my feet and I don't want the VA to use that as an excuse to lower my other ratings as well! I also might be 100% rated with everything combined, other than just PTSD. The only favorable item I can see about TDIU is the children's benefits. Now, I am most likely wrong there?

I need to restate a question I asked earlier "The Army states in my NARSUM that my PTSD started during my first deployment to Iraq (Oct. 2004-Nov. 2005) does this mean that the VA will start my claim from then?". What I meant is that I was released (I'm a member of the Army National Guard) from Title 10 in Dec. 2005, and called back up in June 2006 (Stop-Loss). Wouldn't the time I left active service (Dec. 2005) be my effective date?

I have to this point almost accepted my PTSD...before I would have fought and argued with anyone (and I did) who said otherwise even to my PCM Maj. B) . I now understand that I might be able to live with myself and give back as much as I can before my time is up.

[Berta]

I can certainly understand that you would not want to consider TDIU at this point.

"I need to restate a question I asked earlier "The Army states in my NARSUM that my PTSD started during my first deployment to Iraq (Oct. 2004-Nov. 2005) does this mean that the VA will start my claim from then?". What I meant is that I was released (I'm a member of the Army National Guard) from Title 10 in Dec. 2005, and called back up in June 2006 (Stop-Loss). Wouldn't the time I left active service (Dec. 2005) be my effective date"

In the many years I have done claims work I have never answered a question like that- this is one of the unusual downsides of the entire Iraq War.

It was most unusual in past conflicts to re-deploy or use Stop loss on disabled military personnel-

I get your point completely but I think VA will use the day you filed the claim for the EED and if filed within one year after your discharge-they will use the day after your discharge as the EED.

But what day of discharge will they use?

The National Veterans Legal Service Program is a group of pro bono lawyers who are devoted to veteran's issues.They usually only get involved in a few specific CAVC cases and have their hands full with a big AO case now.

However they have started an OIF OEF program to help Iraq veterans with their claims-

I will contact them for an answer to that question on your EED and also to see what stage they are at in this new program-if you should need their assistance.

"I have over 22 years of Federal Active Duty (Marines & Army combined) and was awarded 30% compensation (L/Knee, Back and Tinnitus) from the VA after my first deployment to Iraq."

I am assuming that the PTSD issue was not considered in that award because you had not been formally diagnosed yet by the Mil with PTSD at that time -yet the evidence you have now says the PTSD stemmed from your service in Iraq.

These are new questions to us old timers here-Iraq has added completely different aspecs to the claims process.

I will post here whatever info I can get from NVLSP.

[john999]

I think the VA will use your discharge day to compute benefits. It is kind of shocking that the military would deploy you again knowing you had PTSD. However, it seems quite common now days. Are you going to be able to support yourself while you get treatment for this severe PTSD? That is why TDIU or 100% schedular might be good until you can get back on your feet. The worst they will do is lower your rating if you are able to maintain employment. you might be able to get Vocational Rehabilitation and collect TDIU at the same time with the goal of working eventually. How old are you and what kinds of career goals do you have? Is it going to be worth going back into the work force with your injuries and problems if you are over 40. You got to consider who will hire you. Many disabled people try and become self-employed in some way. I take it you are not able to go back to your civilian job you left while on active duty.

[Berta]

John- you are making good points- Ken is a lifer too so that means CRDP or CRSC should kick in,when you consider TDIU, SSA disability and either the CRSC or CRDP (he would probably get CRSC)- this would be

four areas of tax free income to support his family-

and with a P & T if he can get that- then the CHAMPVA and Chap 35 kicks in for them------ I think---I dont know how that all plays into Tricare-

When my husband got his SSA award he was devastated-at age 45 he thought he would definitely recover enough from his major stroke to work again and he never did.The VA added depression to his PTSD records-something he never had been before.

Also his PTSD was a definite factor in employment issues-

he lost his EEOC case against the VA (they bypassed qualified disabled vets for a full time position they gave to a civilian with no experience in VA dietetics.VA broke the hiring laws in 38 USC 2012-2014. All the part time PTSD VA dietetic dept vets squacked about how they were bypassed-it seemed to me they wanted to stick the PTSD vets into VA dietetics regardless of their qualifications.But he was only one who took a stand on this with the EEOC.

The VA testimony that he was crazy and couldnt handle the job (his performance appraisals were all fairly OK)was actually helpful for him to get another SSA award with a better EED for PTSD.

He did win the first disabled vets ADA case here in NY against the electric company.But it was stressful for him.

Still these things happened DUE to his SC PTSD disability.

Something to really consider -you made good points John.

- the main electric co here in NY ( the ADA case)had only one disabled Vietnam vet

hired in a 6 year period.I used FOIA and got alot of info on their hiring practices.

This vet disappeared off the employee record within 2 years after he was hired.

This company pays up the ying yangs-so I hardly can believe this vet got a "better" paying job- they probably canned him due to his disability.

A good friend of mine (Navy Seal-amputee- Vietnam)- worked for them for almost twenty years and they suddenly filed a bogus charge against him and he was forced to quit-

the bogus charge coincided with the fact they knew he was physically disabled but he told them one day about his PTSD rating too.

He was done for when he did that.

Then again he got 100% P & T from the VA and also many accomodations to his home.

These are terrible facts-and certainly not every veteran comes up against this type of blatant employment discrimination but then again-many do.