ptsd Va Proposes To

[Berta]

Recent VA News Releases

"Secretary Shinseki Moves to Simplify PTSD Compensation Rules

WASHINGTON (Aug. 24, 2009) - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K.

Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking

steps to assist Veterans seeking compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress

Disorder (PTSD).

"The hidden wounds of war are being addressed vigorously and

comprehensively by this administration as we move VA forward in its

transformation to the 21st century," said Secretary Shinseki.

The VA is publishing a proposed regulation today in the Federal Register

to make it easier for a Veteran to claim service connection for PTSD by

reducing the evidence needed if the stressor claimed by a Veteran is

related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. Comments on

the proposed rule will be accepted over the next 60 days. A final

regulation will be published after consideration of all comments

received.

Under the new rule, VA would not require corroboration of a stressor

related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity if a VA

psychiatrist or psychologist confirms that the stressful experience

recalled by a Veteran adequately supports a diagnosis of PTSD and the

Veteran's symptoms are related to the claimed stressor.

Previously, claims adjudicators were required to corroborate that a

non-combat Veteran actually experienced a stressor related to hostile

military activity. This rule would simplify the development that is

required for these cases.

PTSD is a recognized anxiety disorder that can follow seeing or

experiencing an event that involves actual or threatened death or

serious injury to which a person responds with intense fear,

helplessness or horror, and is not uncommon in war.

Feelings of fear, confusion or anger often subside, but if the feelings

don't go away or get worse, a Veteran may have PTSD.

VA is bolstering its mental health capacity to serve combat Veterans,

adding thousands of new professionals to its rolls in the last four

years. The Department also has established a suicide prevention

helpline (1-800-273-TALK) and Web site available for online chat in the

evenings at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans

<http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans/> ."

[Testvet]

it sounds good Berta, but will RO's really start awarding claims if no combat is involved and the "patient" has PTSD from "fearing" a terrorist attack? Maybe I am reading it wrong but I don't think it will make the Ro's approve PTSD claims any faster than they do now this appears to be a window dressing "fix" I am hping it is more than that, but a year from now we will know if the VARO's are approving claims without verified stressors or not......

[68mustang]

Recent VA News Releases

"Secretary Shinseki Moves to Simplify PTSD Compensation Rules

WASHINGTON (Aug. 24, 2009) - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K.

Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking

steps to assist Veterans seeking compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress

Disorder (PTSD).

"The hidden wounds of war are being addressed vigorously and

comprehensively by this administration as we move VA forward in its

transformation to the 21st century," said Secretary Shinseki.

The VA is publishing a proposed regulation today in the Federal Register

to make it easier for a Veteran to claim service connection for PTSD by

reducing the evidence needed if the stressor claimed by a Veteran is

related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. Comments on

the proposed rule will be accepted over the next 60 days. A final

regulation will be published after consideration of all comments

received.

Under the new rule, VA would not require corroboration of a stressor

related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity if a VA

psychiatrist or psychologist confirms that the stressful experience

recalled by a Veteran adequately supports a diagnosis of PTSD and the

Veteran's symptoms are related to the claimed stressor.

Previously, claims adjudicators were required to corroborate that a

non-combat Veteran actually experienced a stressor related to hostile

military activity. This rule would simplify the development that is

required for these cases.

PTSD is a recognized anxiety disorder that can follow seeing or

experiencing an event that involves actual or threatened death or

serious injury to which a person responds with intense fear,

helplessness or horror, and is not uncommon in war.

Feelings of fear, confusion or anger often subside, but if the feelings

don't go away or get worse, a Veteran may have PTSD.

VA is bolstering its mental health capacity to serve combat Veterans,

adding thousands of new professionals to its rolls in the last four

years. The Department also has established a suicide prevention

helpline (1-800-273-TALK) and Web site available for online chat in the

evenings at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans

<http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans/> ."

I wonder if this new procedure will cover those non combat veterans

who experienced a stressor not related to hostile military activity?

68mustang

[broncovet]

I know it sounds like I am a "nay sayer", however, Shinseki also recently promised to reduce homelessness in Veterans by 131,000. However, under his watch we saw the Veterans claim backlog actually grow..and keep on growing to almost one Million Veterans waiting on benefits. Further, his implementation of the new GI bill was even worse, adding 200,000 Veterans waiting on the VA to process education benefits to this mix.

This new GI bill fiasco will frustrate Veterans who are counting on the VA to provide education benefits as it will be nearly impossible for the VA to deliver the post 911 GI bill benefits in time for school to begin this fall with this new backlog.

Can someone tell me how delaying Veterans claims even more than they have been is going to reduce Veteran homelessness?

I really do not want to see any more promises by Shineseki, I would like to see someone keep promises to Veterans for a change before I will believe him.

Did politicians ever hear of under promise and over deliver?

I heard the promises, but, so far there has been not only no delivery on promises, but the VA's problems are actually much worse than before.

Edited August 24, 2009 by broncovet (see edit history)

[john999]

If the VA would just concede PTSD as presumptive for vets who served in a combat zone. They don't even do that now.

[Bonzai]

I wonder if this new procedure will cover those non combat veterans who experienced a stressor not related to hostile military activity?

68mustang

I would be one to fall under this category, but my stressors were all involved in trainings. I trained to be a front line Interrogator/PSYOP Specialist, and to be deployed with other units. I was also trained to be paranoid, avoid having my picture taken, how to lie convincingly, etc... There were times in trainings when people died, but I only know vague dates, and cannot remember their names. But then again, my DD214 has many gaps, such as no record of Airborne School, but somehow being Airborne qualified. There is also no mention of a 6 month language course taken at JFKSWC, Ft. Bragg, NC. So I was told that I have PTSD without verifiable stressors, back in the late 90s.

I sincerely doubt recognition of non-combat PTSD will be forthcoming any time soon. jmo

Louis

[Commander Bob]

Over four decades ago, when I was 18 years old, serving in a light weapons infantry line company, I entered a mine field with my company commander, to render aid to the wounded. Incoming fire was reported. I was wounded after the fourth explosion. Last year the VA denied my request for a PTSD rating. The denial letter said ..." Your service treatment records show no complaint, treatment, or diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder".

Edited August 24, 2009 by Commander Bob 92-93 (see edit history)

[cowgirl]

So do your service treatment letters prove the denial wrong? Where are you at in the process now? Yikes Bob, seems like a flashing billboard could get their attention, ya think? Sorry to hear how it goes and will keep you in my prayers, if ya don't mind.

Now I wonder how a common veteran like me can comment on a proposed regulation....

Cowgirl'up2009!

The VA is publishing a proposed regulation today in the Federal Register

to make it easier for a Veteran to claim service connection for PTSD by

reducing the evidence needed if the stressor claimed by a Veteran is

related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. Comments on

the proposed rule will be accepted over the next 60 days. A final

regulation will be published after consideration of all comments

received.

'Over four decades ago, when I was 18 years old, serving in a light weapons infantry line company, I entered a mine field with my company commander, to render aid to the wounded. Incoming fire was reported. I was wounded after the fourth explosion. Last year the VA denied my request for a PTSD rating. The denial letter said ..." Your service treatment records show no complaint, treatment, or diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder".'

[Commander Bob]

... and will keep you in my prayers, if ya don't mind.

Edited August 24, 2009 by Commander Bob 92-93 (see edit history)

[Commander Bob]

Regarding my claim; When I regain my stamina from the chemo, radiation treatments, and surgery, I will address the issue. I have till February of next year to file the proper NOD and fire the poor souls that are mishandling my case now.

P. S. ...I have at least a dozen pages of, after action reports, battalion log excerpts and declassified army records, as well as a third party report of my morning in the mine field, written by a university professor and war correspondent. It is so blatantly obvious that the rater never read the record, he rated. He truly needs to be reprimanded, or fired, or at least denied his bonus for clearing a lot of claims off his desk. I would love to drag him in front of a real federal judge.

Edited August 24, 2009 by Commander Bob 92-93 (see edit history)

[john999]

Bob

The VA denying your PTSD claim is so absurd it should be on the front page of the local newspaper to humiliate the local VARO. That is the worst denial I ever heard about for PTSD. If getting your leg blown off is not an event that creates extream fear of death I don't know what is? It happened in the combat zone on a combat mission. Regardless of who put the minefield there that should be slam/dunk for a stressor. The VA did not read your claim. That is pretty obvious.

[gp747]

Bob

The VA denying your PTSD claim is so absurd it should be on the front page of the local newspaper to humiliate the local VARO. That is the worst denial I ever heard about for PTSD. If getting your leg blown off is not an event that creates extream fear of death I don't know what is? It happened in the combat zone on a combat mission. Regardless of who put the minefield there that should be slam/dunk for a stressor. The VA did not read your claim. That is pretty obvious.

my god ! where did you file that claim? that is beyond absurd to deny you your benefits!

[Commander Bob]

Bob

The VA denying your PTSD claim is so absurd it should be on the front page of the local newspaper to humiliate the local VARO. That is the worst denial I ever heard about for PTSD. If getting your leg blown off is not an event that creates extream fear of death I don't know what is? It happened in the combat zone on a combat mission. Regardless of who put the minefield there that should be slam/dunk for a stressor. The VA did not read your claim. That is pretty obvious.

You are right John, ...I have caught them, like a deer in the headlights... I personally don't give a damn about my own claim. They can take my file and put it where the sun doesn't shine... That army CRSC drew me back into their 401k web. I regret ever re-connecting with those bureaucrats. If they can do that to me, then what about all our other vets and the new kids coming home to this slap in the face...Blind sided.. I hope I can expose those VA career employees for the lazy bastards, that they are. And do it in such a way that they can't hide behind their timeless excuses, like, "well it just fell through the cracks." or one of a kind.etc.. They have a manual full of excuses.. Meanwhile, many of our old Vietnam and new young returning vets are killing themselves due to the mishandling of their illness. The Sec. of the VA and the President are getting the wool pulled over their eyes by career VA upper managers and VA employee malingerers. They definitely have my attention.

Edited August 24, 2009 by Commander Bob 92-93 (see edit history)

[Commander Bob]

my god ! where did you file that claim? that is beyond absurd to deny you your benefits!

My friend Skunk,

you are an inspiration. Thanks for your support.

CB

Edited August 24, 2009 by Commander Bob 92-93 (see edit history)

[gp747]

Over four decades ago, when I was 18 years old, serving in a light weapons infantry line company, I entered a mine field with my company commander, to render aid to the wounded. Incoming fire was reported. I was wounded after the fourth explosion. Last year the VA denied my request for a PTSD rating. The denial letter said ..." Your service treatment records show no complaint, treatment, or diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder".

now by god this makes me ,mad,mad,mad. how ridiculous can they be? i would love to know where this claim was denied. if i were you i would write a letter to the editor about this and be getting a hold of my senator and congressman. i would also make damn sure the people who worked on that claim were fired and or humiliated to no extent.

i promise you they would not get away with that from me somebody would pay and pay dearly. i have had to read what you said a dozen times and am still shocked!

those bastards would remember me for a long time because when i got through with them they would hang their heads in shame and be known publicly.

[Commander Bob]

now by god this makes me ,mad,mad,mad. how ridiculous can they be? i would love to know where this claim was denied. if i were you i would write a letter to the editor about this and be getting a hold of my senator and congressman. i would also make damn sure the people who worked on that claim were fired and or humiliated to no extent.

i promise you they would not get away with that from me somebody would pay and pay dearly. i have had to read what you said a dozen times and am still shocked!

those bastards would remember me for a long time because when i got through with them they would hang their heads in shame and be known publicly.

The problem appears to be system wide. I tracked my claim through three states. I promise you Skunk, I will get My congressman and other friends involved. Yes, some of the VA employees should hang their heads in shame, and I will make every effort to tell their families and their friends, how they treated the vets. My mishandled claim is just one of many. Please don't distress yourself about my case. I don't want you to get agitated over this one. You can take comfort in knowing I will kick their asses all the way to D.C. I assure you I will prevail.

[gp747]

The problem appears to be system wide. I tracked my claim through three states. I promise you Skunk, I will get My congressman and other friends involved. Yes, some of the VA employees should hang their heads in shame, and I will make every effort to tell their families and their friends, how they treated the vets. My mishandled claim is just one of many. Please don't distress yourself about my case. I don't want you to get agitated over this one. You can take comfort in knowing I will kick their asses all the way to D.C. I assure you I will prevail.

by god that is what i like to hear! every body that stands up for him or herself makes it easier for the next one who comes along.