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Ptsd & C&p

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usmarine0311

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I have been diagnosed with PSTD and MDD. I have talked to several Vietnam Era vets who have told me to write a stressor letter and to get buddy letters. I find this very difficult to write, because I have a tough time just trying not to think of the past. Honestly, my life has been a living hell the last 3-4 years. I remember how I used to be, and I look at myself now. I did a complete 180, and now I'm very much a recluse. I don't go see anyone, and I don't want anyone to come and see me. I have pretty much gotten rid of everyone I associated with. I don't go anywhere hardly without carying my weapon. I just literallyfeel vulnerable and naked without it. My mom says I just need to "snap out of it". She constantly tells me there is nothing wrong wth me, an that lots of men have been to Iraq and they seem fine. I don't discuss the past with her or anyone else. I can't. My marriage is constantly teetering on the rocks and I just had to quit working 3 years ago. It got so bad I got to where I could'nt think anymore. I have a c&p physical and psyc exam next month and I have never had the psyc exam before. I am worried to death about saying the wrong thing as I have been told the examiner is looking for a reason to blame it on something else. I don't drink anymore, never used street drugs, never abused. Do I need to take all these letters in there and describe what paticular trauma caused this? There were so many different things I dont think I can pin point it exactly. I know this is alot to write, but I kinda wanted to throw it all out there so you'd have a better idea of whats going on. Yes, there is the sleep deprivation, sever anxiety, startled response, and I have a very short fuse. My gaf scoresthe last couple of years have been in the mid 30's to upper 40's. Nothing over 50. In 2007 and 2007 I was in and out of the hospital withall this, and one doc from Waco said I was bipolar. I disagree because I was not like this before. Any ideas?

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I have been diagnosed with PSTD and MDD. I have talked to several Vietnam Era vets who have told me to write a stressor letter and to get buddy letters. I find this very difficult to write, because I have a tough time just trying not to think of the past. Honestly, my life has been a living hell the last 3-4 years. I remember how I used to be, and I look at myself now. I did a complete 180, and now I'm very much a recluse. I don't go see anyone, and I don't want anyone to come and see me. I have pretty much gotten rid of everyone I associated with. I don't go anywhere hardly without carying my weapon. I just literallyfeel vulnerable and naked without it. My mom says I just need to "snap out of it". She constantly tells me there is nothing wrong wth me, an that lots of men have been to Iraq and they seem fine. I don't discuss the past with her or anyone else. I can't. My marriage is constantly teetering on the rocks and I just had to quit working 3 years ago. It got so bad I got to where I could'nt think anymore. I have a c&p physical and psyc exam next month and I have never had the psyc exam before. I am worried to death about saying the wrong thing as I have been told the examiner is looking for a reason to blame it on something else. I don't drink anymore, never used street drugs, never abused. Do I need to take all these letters in there and describe what paticular trauma caused this? There were so many different things I dont think I can pin point it exactly. I know this is alot to write, but I kinda wanted to throw it all out there so you'd have a better idea of whats going on. Yes, there is the sleep deprivation, sever anxiety, startled response, and I have a very short fuse. My gaf scoresthe last couple of years have been in the mid 30's to upper 40's. Nothing over 50. In 2007 and 2007 I was in and out of the hospital withall this, and one doc from Waco said I was bipolar. I disagree because I was not like this before. Any ideas?

I CAN UNDERSTAND YOUR PAIN AS MY HUSBAND IS VIETNAM AS WELL- I WAS TOLD THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS IN WRITING THE STRESSORS ARE WHO-WHAT WHERE AND WHEN? HE ALSO HAD A VERY HAD TIME WITH THIS -BUT WE GOT THRU IT 12 YEARS AGO TOGETHER AND ARE STILL WAITING WE ARE AT THE END OF OUR CLAIMS PROCESS AND HAD SOME BAD ADVICE ALONG THE WAY-LISTEN TO THE MODERATORS HERE-THEY GET YOU THRU IT AS THEY HAVE OTHERS-GOOD LUCK TO YOU

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My advice at the exam is to tell the doctor that everything in your life was fine before Iraq. Since Iraq you have become non-functional. Do you have combat awards from Iraq? Is so then you still need to have your stressor letter, but the VA concedes your stressor if it is plausible. Just do not let the examiner steer you through a trip through your childhood and family life prior to Iraq. When the VA looks for alternatives to PTSD they often try and show you have a personality disorder. For them to show this they have to show a life long pattern of maladaptive behavior that usually starts in childhood and continues into adulthood. You defense is that you did not have problems as a child, in school, with the law, with your parents before Iraq. You have problems now because of the stress you suffered in Iraq in the combat zone. Just tell the C&P guy the truth about your symptoms, but remember before Iraq life was good. Now prior to Iraq life sucks. You had no symptoms before the war and now you have PTSD symptoms. If the doctor wants you to describe blood and guts then tell him what you saw,smelled, heard and did while holding nothing back. If you burst out in tears so much the better.

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File SSD asap before u lose too many points to qualify. If u wait too long u won't qualify for any of it. If u quit working 3 years ago u may be outa luck depending on how much u payed in though. This may be your lifeline to subside on while boxin' it out with the VA. Don't be suprised at a 10% rating if u get SC.

As far as ur MDD diagnosis goes......I would see a PTSD specialist to decide wether u have a dual condition or not. I strongly recommend this. I'm not a shrink or counselor or anything, but I know in my case ,MDD was pushed on me as an attempted copout to muddy the water that is made up of PTSD symptoms.

Good advice from John.

You'll know when he/she trys to take u down that road of painting a picture which would release the VA of the liability if u pay attention to the dialogue as best as u can.

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Brother,

Tell them anything that comes to mind but don't tell them anything that would considered illegal. As far as drinking, the people I have seem at at the VA seem to get off on drinking. Tell them you are an alcholic and they will love it. Only my opinion.

Good luck

Bill

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  • HadIt.com Elder

Bill:

Don't lie. If you are an alcoholic tell them but you can also self medicate or be a heavy drinker. It always sort of tickled me that many believe that you are not an alcoholic till you admit that you are. Drugs prescription and street are also signs.

If the VA catches you in a lie you may never recover.

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Agreed, just be TOTALLY honest.

I recently went through your exact scenario, I do not drink anymore and do not use street drugs... so I get it. It may seem that because of this you have "lessened" your symptoms of PTSD, this is no the case. The first exam is crap, you will most likely be lowballed, don't let this get to you. I was awarded 10% and now after my 3rd try I am looking at 70-100% when I was awarded 10% to start.

This stuff sucks and it will be for a while, as for stressor letters.

What was your MOS?

Any combat awards (CIB, CMB, Bronze Star, Purple Heart)?

I was an 11B with a CIB and other awards so they did not require q written stressor letter. They did go through some detailed questioning about events though, so be prepared for that.

Good luck,

Mike

US Army 3rd ID

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