ptsd Ptsd Claim

[HvyGns38]

I really do not know where to begin with my situation. I posted some of my history in another post for a hearing issue, but will give a really quick go over again.

I was medically discharged from the Marines in 1995 with left knee problems and hearing loss. Just recently was upped to 60% total from the VA. I have been dealing with issues from my experiences in Desert Storm since about 1993. I have never seen anybody regarding my issues because I have always felt that it was my problem and no one elses. Besides, we are tough and do not need any ones help, right? It has not been until the last few years that everything has gotten so bad that it takes every ounce of energy I have to function on a daily basis. I am employed, but have missed significant work time because of my issues.

Symptoms: I have recurring nightmares of some of my experiences, some happened and some my mind creates in my dreams. I sleep only about 3-4 hours most nights because once I wake up from one of these dreams it is impossible to get back to sleep. The only way I can sleep is by taking sleep medicine. I get angry easily over the stupidist things. I burst into tears in a second if I see anything that remotely reminds me of my time in the service. Movies are a terrible event. I cannot sit through any military movie (Jarhead was horrible for me). My actions and attitude has cost mme a marriage, my relationship with my daughter, and I have not been able to be in any type of relationship for over 3 months. Several of them have told me I need to get help.

I am not very sociable. I go out, but not to be with people, but around people because if I am alone it is not a good thing. Loud noises set me off everytime. I have to sit facing the door where ever I go because I need to see everyone who comes through the door. If I am left to my own means I put myself in dangerous situations because I really do not care anymore. Since getting out of the Marines, I have been through 8 or 9 different jobs and two career changes.

Here is the problem with going to the VA. Since getting out, I have accomplished getting my Bachelor's and Master's degrees. I am a HS social studies teacher and football and track coach. Will this hurt my claim or even bother with opening a claim? It takes everything I have to function in my job.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[carlie]

Hvy,

Welcome to Hadit.com .

You can file a claim for any condition at anytime.

I personally prefer to have a diagnosis first.

If you would like to seek some treatment for your problems

I would suggest starting here.

OR - if you have a good PCP request a referral

to Mental Health.

I do not know if any of this would have an effect on your teaching job.

Please get yourself some help - you deserve it.

jmho,

carlie

http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/

Vet Centers in Virginia

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Alexandria: Alexandria Vet Center

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[Testvet]

Hvy,

Welcome to Hadit.com .

You can file a claim for any condition at anytime.

I personally prefer to have a diagnosis first.

If you would like to seek some treatment for your problems

I would suggest starting here.

OR - if you have a good PCP request a referral

to Mental Health.

I do not know if any of this would have an effect on your teaching job.

Please get yourself some help - you deserve it.

jmho,

carlie

http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/

Vet Centers in Virginia

Skip Vet Centers

Alexandria: Alexandria Vet Center

Norfolk: Norfolk Vet Center

Richmond: Richmond Vet Center

Roanoke: Roanoke Vet Center

why would you think you can handle it any better than other veterans, even a former US Senator, head of the VA Max Cleland went to the VA for help for PTSD 40 years AFTER he left Vietnam. Sometimes the monster catches up to us and we just can't keep "coping" with it, and we have to reach out for help, my stressors happened in 1975-1982, 1991 and I didn't go to the VA for help until Jan 2003 I am now 100% P&T for PTSD sometimes we can only outrun the monster for so long and it comes time where we have to ask for help, better to do it now while you still have a job, many of us have lost everything, our homes, our vehicles, our life before we wised up enough to go to the VA for help maybe you are AHEAD of the game admitting that you are having problems is not an admission of a weakness it's an admission that you have a health care problem and you need treatment for it, if it turns out that you get diagnosed with PTSD then file a claim for it filing a claim before you get a diagnosis is putting the apple cart in front of the horse

[Pete53]

You should file the claim, Although you are currently rated at 60% you probably should get 30% to 50% rating for an anxiety disorder or PTSD. You have the symptoms but like Carlie said it would be a good idea to get a diagnosis. Since you go to the VA you can ask for a Mental Health Consult and they will help at VA or the Vet Center just do it.

Good Luck what you really can use right now are some tools to deal with PTSD.

[carlie]

Filing now - even though there is no formal diagnosis

sets up an earlier effective date.

jmho,

carlie

[Testvet]

Filing now - even though there is no formal diagnosis

sets up an earlier effective date.

jmho,

carlie

true but as fast as some of the VAROs are processing the claims he might actually get a denial based on no diagnosis before he ever gets treated a few years ago I would have agreed because it nmormally took the VARO a year before they even scheduled vets for C&P exams, but they do seem to be moving faster now I do agree though the date you submit the notice to the VARO you are seeking compensation sets the effective date and even if they deny it based on no diagnosis you should have it before the one year time period for a NOD has expired.... there is more than one way to skin a VA cat

[HvyGns38]

Thank you for all the replies, I really do appreciate it.

I do have a CAR which provides the stressor and the VA has all of my military records and medical records.

This is truly confusing because I was under the impression, for some reason, that when you filed a claim then you would be seen by a VA Dr. to be diagnosed then you would be allowed treatment if they believed that a person were suffering from PTSD.

I just feel that it may be a useless battle that I may not want to fight because of my profession and my educational achievments because in the manual for the VA on PTSD it states something about job and educational achievements.

Thanks again for everyones help!!!!!!