ptsd Desert Storm Vet Needs Help With Claim Process

[TANKERJOE0]

HELLO ALL.I AM A USMC DESERT STORM VET.MY MOS WAS 1811 TANK CREWMAN.

I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM NUMEROUS AILMENTS SINCE THE WAR.

I AM IN THE COMPENSATION PROCESS NOW FOR A DISABILITY RATING.

I HAVE MY FIRST EVER C@P EXAMS ON JAN 15, 2009 IN GAINSVILLE FLORIDA.

I AM IN NEED OF SOME HELP AND INFO ON HOW TO PROCEED WITH THE EXAMS.I HAVE AN EXAM FOR PTSD.I HAVE AN EXAM FOR HEARING LOSS AND TINNITUS.ALSO FOR A WHOLE BUNCH OF SYMPTOMS RELATING TO DESERT STORM SYNDROME.

I HAVE BEEN GOING TO THE LOCAL VA OUT-PAITENT CLININC IN JAX,FL FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS. BEING SEEN FOR ALL OF MY SYMPTOMS.I FILED FOR DISABILITY ABOUT THE SAME TIME.MY DR AT THE OUT-PAITENT CLINIC HAS DIAGNOSED ME WITH PTSD. I HAVE BEEN ON NUMEROUS ANTI DEPRESSANTS AND ANXIETY MEDICINE FOR THE LAST 17 YRS.I AM CURRENTLY SEEING A PSYCHIATRIS AND PSYSICOLOGIS AT THE OUT-PAITENT CLINIC.I WAS ALSO DIAGNOSED WITH A MINOR HEARING LOSS AND TINNITUS.HAVE BEEN PRESCRIBED PAIN MEDICATION FOR MY CHRONIC DIBILATATING PAIN FROM THE OUT-PAITENT CLINIC AS WELL.ANY HELP AND TIPS ON WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE C@P EXAMS WOULD BE GREATLT APPRECIATED.THANKS TO ALL

SEMPER FI!!

TANKERJOE0

[TANKERJOE0]

THANKS BRONCOVET FOR YOUR INPUT.VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!!!

[Guest Vietnam Tanker]

As one tanker to another let me tell you that you have been given some excellent advice here, all I can add is that you should follow that advice to the letter and you will prevail. Good Luck and lastly but most importantly Thank You for your service to this great Country, Semper Fi, Bro keep on trackin.

[TANKERJOE0]

THANKS VIETNAM TANKER FOR YOUR ENCOURAGING SUPPORT!!! HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH YOU.

TANKERJOE0

[TANKERJOE0]

IS THERE ANY MORE SUGGESTIONS OR WORDS OF WISDOM????

THANKS!!!

I CURRENTLY WORK BUT AM SO SERIOUSLY MESSED UP WITH MY PTSD(ATTITUDE,ANGER,ANXIETY,ETC..) IM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY BOSS, CO WORKERS, AND CUSTOMERS? I AM MISSING DAYS OF WORK. ALSO MY CHRONIC PAIN IS GETTING SO DIBILATATING THAT I HONESTLY DONT KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER I CAN WORK????? I AM ONLY 38 YRS OLD BUT MY BODY FEELS LIKE IT IS 98.I AM IN SO MUCH PAIN AND DISCOMFORT THAT I WISH I COULD GIVE IT TO WHO EVER IS IN CHARGE OF MY CLAIM SO THAT THEY COULD SEE WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT AND THEN SEE WHAT THEY DECIDE??? WOULDNT THAT BE NICE.JUST FOR 1 DAY THOUGH BECAUSE I WOULDNT WISH THIS ON ANYONE.EXCEPT MAYBE OUR COUNTRIES WORST ENEMIES.LOL

SEMPER FI

TANKERJOE0

[Berta]

Marine - are you familiar with the criteria for GWS?

This BVA case will give you the criteria for GWS-

it is an unusual decision and the GWS regs are often very confusing-

I hope this helps you:

http://www.va.gov/vetapp08/files1/0802899.txt

GWS and undiagnosed illness due to Gulf War are two different entities to the VA-

The blank C & P exams are all here and this might help you to know what to expect-

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/index.htm

Do you have a service officer or vet rep helping you with this claim?

Do any of your symptoms or treatment for them appear in your SMRS and on your discharge certificate?

."I CAME IN CONTACT WITH MANY DEAD IRAQI SOLDIERS WE HAD KILLED AND WAS FORCED TO THROW A DEAD IRAQI IN TO A DITCH BY MY 1ST SGT."

As someone said dont hold back on anything regarding any stressful event you experienced-

can you get a buddy statement if needed to prove the above or any other stressor you have? Your unit might have a web site and could perhaps be a source to find a buddy if needed.

I posted a topic here maybe a page or two behind this one on how the VA defines a stressor.

[john999]

Do tankers get a special badge for being in combat? If so that will provide a verifiable stressor much like the CIB for infantry. Being blown up by a mine and flinging dead bodies into ditches is a stressor. The fact you are troubled by the memory of this is a sign of PTSD. Since this memory intrudes into your present life it is a criteria of PTSD.