ptsd Ptsd And Ssdi

[jessejames]

Working with combat Nam vet whose C&P 2 years ago was 45 GAF, he has been through the PTSD program twice. We have continued the Appeal for an increase from the 30% awarded for PTSD and the 60% awarded for Cardiovascular Disease secondary to PTSD. We also filed for SSDI and it has taken 2 years of appeals to get SSDI for PTSD and Cardiovascular, SSDI is paying him backpay for the little over 2 years from SSDI claim date. Just got his latest C&P in from the VA, says he remains at 30% PTSD. I do NOT want to start a NEW claim by submitting the SSDI Award which was based on the VA records from 2 years ago, but isn't there a case or Memo somewhere that the VA must consider SSDI Awards? His latest GAF after going through 2 PTSD programs and continuing in treatment was a 48. He stopped working 2 years ago because of the Cardiovascular (heart attack & open heart surgery), PTSD and medications affecting him being able to hold his job where he had worked for over 23 years.

[nytewalk]

Hi Jesse, I'm dealing with the second half of my husband's claim that we just got a denial from BVA on Friday when I read this post. You mention that you were/are working with a combat 'Nam vet who has already been awarded 60% for Cardiovascular Disease secondary to PTSD. They gave my husband 50% for PTSD but completely denied his claim for cardiovascular disease secondary to PTSD. I have 30 days to get a response in for him...between myself and his VVA rep in RI. I leave nothing for chance. We're in SC. Can you comment on how you got his claim approved because we had his cardiovascular surgeon and cardiologist write outstanding nexus letters, and we provided surgical documentation, lab reports, etc. I even found scientific/medical abstracts online to corroborate the links. Are there any specific cases to cite? Thanks for any advice. ~~Ruth

[nytewalk]

Working with combat Nam vet whose C&P 2 years ago was 45 GAF, he has been through the PTSD program twice. We have continued the Appeal for an increase from the 30% awarded for PTSD and the 60% awarded for Cardiovascular Disease secondary to PTSD. We also filed for SSDI and it has taken 2 years of appeals to get SSDI for PTSD and Cardiovascular, SSDI is paying him backpay for the little over 2 years from SSDI claim date. Just got his latest C&P in from the VA, says he remains at 30% PTSD. I do NOT want to start a NEW claim by submitting the SSDI Award which was based on the VA records from 2 years ago, but isn't there a case or Memo somewhere that the VA must consider SSDI Awards? His latest GAF after going through 2 PTSD programs and continuing in treatment was a 48. He stopped working 2 years ago because of the Cardiovascular (heart attack & open heart surgery), PTSD and medications affecting him being able to hold his job where he had worked for over 23 years.

I didn't realize I hadn't been back in here in awhile and I hadn't put a track on my post. Sorry. Since I posted this, the 2nd half of my husband's claim (for cardiovascular disease, secondary to PTSD) is now at the Court of Appeals and being handled by an attorney (pro bono) by Vietnam Veterans of America. You can add another one to two years before it's heard. Unfortunately, the ruling for ischemic heart disease doesn't apply to my husband. He has everything under the sun and is close to being ischemic but is not. Were that the case, his claim would be removed from the docket and he would have an automatic presumptive Agent Orange claim which would be retroactive to the time we initially filed. So, we wait for another gavel to crash down. This is justice for veterans? It should not even be at the Court of Appeals. I found a case that has already been granted for the same thing in the State of SC. Somebody must be making some big points on this one!

He was rated 50% for PTSD on 29 September 2008; received his 1st check on 01 November 2009; but still have not received our retro!!! We just recently filed for TDIU (I hope I have the acronynm right!). We had gone on the assumption that he had to have 70% or more to be eligible for unemployability. Well, lo and behold, there is a Part B!! He hasn't worked since 2005 because 0f PTSD. We were just notified two days ago that it was 'being processed'. As all of you know, you don't hold your breath...you wait.

Again, I apologize for not keeping track of this post and if I screwed up with this post...I think I may have! Maybe the kind Moderator will see it and 'erase' it. B)