ptsd Viet Nam Vet Newly Diag Cancer Lung/throat Ao Related

[halos2]

A friend recently diag with cancer of lung and throat/esophagus and PTSD...VA keeps asking for proof...HEY VA you diag PTSD and now keep asking for stressors?? WHAT GIVES??

Vet is Viet Nam, medic has Bronze star"V", and another one too, some commendations too and went through the ranks pretty fast too...5 promotions during original enlistment...Have received all diagnoses from Dr and specialists, Cancer treatment regimen, including chemo(started already), radiation(started already),and all have been given to VA directly...yet the stupid computer generated letters continue, and the VA did write/tell VSO WHERE IS THE PROOF? SEND US THE SMR's TOO!

SSDI approved claim in 2 1/2 weeks from start of claim to granting approval, but waiting time began last mth...

He is utalizing a VSO not the same I have, but it does appear the guy is trying to push everything through fast, minus the BS the VA is putting him through too. The guy worked for the govt too up until this point too.

I tried to tell them how the VA conviently looses vets papers, and how the computer keeps generating the same info out over and over...but I realize they have an enormous amount of anxiety regarding his diagnoses, on top of the unknown VA processes, and the mistrust already evidenced by the VA's actions/ or lack of correct actions.

SO does anyone have an idea/or personal experience on the expedience requested on a claim with some of the diagnoses being 2 different types of cancer? I know all claims are treated on a different time frame, but have always read with terminal illinesses they are suppose to move them along faster.

Here we have another vet who has attempted to deal with PTSD on his own, and the stressors have taken the ultimate toll on his body, and his health. He is being treated by private Dr's and in a private hosp too, to get things going faster.

Any thoughts, comments, advice, suggestions, and prayers are so welcomed from all of my fellow hadit friend's for this genuine brave man. Thank you, halos2.

Edited August 8, 2009 by halos2

[sharon]

By law the VA has to send the VCAA notice. If you look on the page that says "what evidence we have received" (the first attachment) it will tell you what they already have. When you send in evidence highlight on the top of the page "CANCER CASE".

[halos2]

The VSO and him and his wife wrote it up thurs and fri and faxed it to the VSO at the VARO as well as sent a copy too. Yes the stressors are there very much so as indicated in citations too. Thanks hoppy.

There have been many changes over the years that make it easier for a Viet Nam veteran to prove he was in combat. Social security doctors do not investigate or require proof of the stressor. However, the VA requires that the records show a link between the specific stressful event and the diagnosis of PTSD. The awards Berta identified show the veteran was in combat. There are other awards including some types of bronze stars that only require the VA to investigate whether the veteran was in combat or not. However, no matter how the claim is developed the veteran will have to provide the dates, places and his statement as to what happened that caused the stressful event. This could be what the VA is asking the SO for. This requires a letter and some standard forms from the veteran identifying the specific stressful event and then the VA will seek corroboration by the JSRCC, and or other sources. Hopefully the SO is working on getting this information.

[halos2]

Thanks Sharon, and the highlighting cancer case is a good idea too...make it stand out more too. I will tell them too.

By law the VA has to send the VCAA notice. If you look on the page that says "what evidence we have received" (the first attachment) it will tell you what they already have. When you send in evidence highlight on the top of the page "CANCER CASE".