ptsd Need Help From Truckers Who've Been In Iraq.

[Philip Rogers]

A friend was killed, about 6 months ago, when his pickup swerved into an on-coming vehicle. He had been rated 100% P&T, in '08, for PTSD. He had active duty from 9/77-9/80, 3/03-6/03, 6/03-1/04 and Army NG from 3/03-4/04. He'd been to Iraq where he operated trucks, in convoys. His wife put in for DIC, stating his death was caused by him falling asleep due to his VA meds, but it was denied. No surprise. Death certificate states basically multiple trauma due to MVA. Myself and other friends feel he either committed suicide or perhaps was having a flashback to when he was driving in a convoy. He was receiving dialysis and was on his way home, from that, when he crashed. Need to help her win DIC claim. I need to find out what was SOP when operating in convoys at the time. Thanks!!

pr

[Berta]

Gee Flip- has she tried to access his unit on line?

was he autopsied with full toxicology done?

How long did he receive the 100% P & T -any chance for enhanced DIC (proving he should have been SCed at 100% PTSD for ten years prior to death?)

Dialysis-was he an AO vet and was this kidney disorder possibly due to any AO condition like DMII?

It could have been suicide by MVA and even death due to the medication-and certainly a flashback could have caused him to swerve-

is there a police report (should be) with any witnesses to whatever it was that made him swerve-

my husband thought for sure a farmer on a tracker was the EN in a tank one day-this is quite possible but would be difficult to prove-

the dialysis-I wonder what his state of mind was and more then that- what condition he was in-when he left the dialysis situation.

Does she have his medical records to include the dialysis records?

Did the VA meds say do not take and drive? and was he as I understand-driving and in this MVA while on Duty-

or off duty.

Sorry I cant help with what you really asked for here- but you gave us a very good example of all of the potential scenarios we need to consider for DIC and even regular SC claims.

It sure concerns me that this happened after dialysis but I dont know what immediate affect dialysis would have that could possibly impair driving.

Was his vision damaged by the renal problems or affected by the meds for this?

Could his med recs reveal he was diabetic and having cataract involvement with vision?

Hope she can get all of his SMRs and medical records.

An autopsy could have helped here-if one was done.

[Berta]

Bingo-this is a start-there were more articles as to dialysis and affect of it on vision-

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/131362.php

I will try to find more and post here----maybe not till tomorrow-----

[Testvet]

Flip get an accident investigator to look at the accident scene, skid marks etc was he accelerating when he left the pavement is there any indication he was trying to kill himself 100% should be one of the first things they think of was there any beer or booze bottles in the vehicle? especially on dialysis I am not trying to be ugly here just thinking of all the aspects that would have to make the VA look at suicide. which would help the widow at this point

[shamrock]

gosh, this story upsets me. As reported he swerved and hit a car or truck head on. No where was it mentioned what condition the driver of the other car was in. Was he injured or killed. This story is all about how much money a veteran's wife can get, my gosh does anyone not have any concern or feelings for the health of the other driver and his condition and condition of his car. I don't care if a person is a veteran, he is a big boy and still has to take respondability for his action wheather he is on medication or ptsd. There are ways to commit suidcide without hitting a car head on and maybe taking another person's life or causing an injury to someone who was doing nothing wrong. This burns me up putting money ahead of everyone and everything.

[sharon]

Alternate theory: Suicidal

[carlie]

gosh, this story upsets me. As reported he swerved and hit a car or truck head on. No where was it mentioned what condition the driver of the other car was in. Was he injured or killed. This story is all about how much money a veteran's wife can get, my gosh does anyone not have any concern or feelings for the health of the other driver and his condition and condition of his car. I don't care if a person is a veteran, he is a big boy and still has to take respondability for his action wheather he is on medication or ptsd. There are ways to commit suidcide without hitting a car head on and maybe taking another person's life or causing an injury to someone who was doing nothing wrong. This burns me up putting money ahead of everyone and everything.

shamrock,

This tragedy bums all of us out.

But we are here to deal with veterans benefits.

There is no way to know if the veteran actually wrecked another person's

car in order to commit suicide.

If he did commit suicide due to PTSD- I feel he should be considered a casualty of this war

The issue of the topic is not the other guy - it's the veteran's family.

carlie