ptsd Next Line Of Attack

[SouthernBelle]

Okay, so here's what I've been thinking on lately: I want to try to service connect my husband's ED, which is caused by his PTSD medications. ALSO, he had (while in service) some pretty severe kidney issues. I want to get them service connected. **I am not going to start this claims process until the other is completed, I am just trying to plan my attack and have everything prepared to go out as soon as we get the decision.** Here's the problem service connecting the kidneys: His SMR's are missing. I've called everyone under the sun and nobody can find them. They are NOT in the C-File. Records Management NEVER got the records, they said the records were sent directly to the VARO in Atlanta from his last duty station. In searching for his records, I have contacted National Archives, National Personnel, Records Management, the VARO in Atlanta and the actual hospitals where he was treated. Nobody can locate the records. With my husband's memory problems, he couldn't tell me who he knew back then to try to find to get buddy statements written up. He can't remember the doctors names, either. I'm going to have a really hard time proving that his current kidney issues are service connected without the records, but I'm going to KEEP trying to find the records. I just sent an IRIS complaint about the missing records.

As far as the ED, he's taking medication to treat the ED which is caused by his MH meds. They don't help.

I guess what I'm getting at is how do I go about getting stuff service connected? Do I just send the VARO a letter and ask them to SC the stuff?

Thank you SO MUCH in advance for any help with this.

Edited December 11, 2008 by SouthernBelle

[SouthernBelle]

I will put his birthdate as the start date.

I wish it were possible to find all his medical records! He moved around a lot; spent time at a holiness camp, lived with his dad on the road (his dad is a truck driver) there's probably hospitals all across the country with his name and social attached! I'm going to request everything from the hospitals we know, or think he was seen at, but the records from his childhood are scattered across the country, and his dad (a Vietnam Vet) can't remember his routes from that far back.

J, I'm so glad your brain is on hyperdrive tonight. Again, I can't thank you enough!

Go ahead and ask the hospitals for all treatment records for him from his date of birth. That way you will get everything.

J

Edited December 12, 2008 by SouthernBelle

[jbasser]

I dont know if this can help or not, I have heard there is a network the Er's use to track patients across the country and they have information on many of us. I guess it is used to get some medical history on patients. I would not know how to check t his out unless an ER nurse can tell us. I know one and I will ask her tommorrow.

J

[SouthernBelle]

WOW! I am still amazed at the willingness to help and the wealth of excellent information. I would really appreciate you helping me. We've had a long fight, and I couldn't have come this far without you, and the folks here. I would have given up, probably. I'm tired of fighting, but because of yall here, I've not given up. I have a lot of work to do tomorrow. I know that the hospitals will charge me for the records, but I know now that it will be worth it. Be darned with the bills, I'm fighting the VA! B)

I dont know if this can help or not, I have heard there is a network the Er's use to track patients across the country and they have information on many of us. I guess it is used to get some medical history on patients. I would not know how to check t his out unless an ER nurse can tell us. I know one and I will ask her tommorrow.

J

[jbasser]

First copy should be free. Dont ever give up on getting what you and Your Hubby deserve. No amount of money in the world will ever make him whole again and to have a wife like you to stand strongly by his side and do what you do is a godsend and I admire the heck out of you for doing it.

J

Edited December 12, 2008 by jbasser

[SouthernBelle]

I hope it is free! My husband won't ever be whole again, you've got that right; and when the VA started messing with his meds, they shot down any chance we had of having another child without MAJOR help. I hate them for many things, and that is now another strike on my list for them, the list is about three miles long. They've treated us horribly, and one way or another, I hope to make them pay for that. I hope (I really, really, really hope) that every Veteran who deserves benefits gets their due. I wish every Veteran had someone who cared so much they'd fight as hard as I do, as we all do, here on hadit. They all deserve so much, and get so little. It really makes me cry sometimes. I think about the Veterans, and all they've given to us, for us, and I can't stand that the VA treats them this way. That's why I keep going. I appreciate your admiration, but I'm just doing what a wife should do, if they're capable. I sometimes have to stand alone, because my family doesn't get it, and my husband can't always stand up for himself, but I'll always stand, even if it is alone. I admire the heck out of YOU, JBasser, you're a true class act.

First copy should be free. Dont ever give up on getting what you and Your Hubby deserve. No amount of money in the world will ever make him whole again and to have a wife like you to stand strongly by his side and do what you do is a godsend and I admire the heck out of you for doing it.

J

[bowright69]

Sounds similar to my husband. His blood pressure was 195/148 (this was on record)when he was getting ready to be deployed to Iraq back in 91. They just put a pill under his tongue and re-took it and sent him over. He was over there for 7 months like that. When he got out of the military in 92 he found out that his left kidney was blocked by a kidney stone and was dead. He had it removed but he still has high blood pressure. It took years, but he is service connected for the kidney loss, high blood pressure, depression, erectile disfunction and the scar. He is currently at 70%. I have had to do all the fighting for him, sounds like you may have to do the same.