ptsd Evacuation From Clark Ab,philippines

[linda866]

Hey,

I'm new here. I got out of the Air Force in 1992 but didn't go to the VA until I was laid off from my job, Mar 2009. I recently applied for disability for PTSD, Family Separation Anxiety, and other things. I was also attacked by my Military Working Dog which left me very afraid of dogs and unable to work as a dog handler. My PTSD is based on the events that took place at Clark AB, PI with the earthquake, volcano erruption and the evacuation from the PI. I submitted 9 letters from friends and family with my claim. I still don't have an appointment for mental eval. I'm very curious about the evacuation. Has anyone ever know someone who filed a claim based on the Clark AB evacuation? Anyone ever file a claim about being attacked by their own military working dog? Thanks for all your help. Linda

[carlie]

bump

[chr49]

Welcome to Hadit Linda

[broncovet]

Linda

The good news is that the VA is supposed to be lessening the requirements to verify the stressor for service connection for PTSD. The bad news is that the Va doesnt always do what they are supposed to do, or even what they promise to do.

Many Veterans advocates would recommend you consult with a Veteran Service Officer (DAV, VFW, PVA etc.) Others recommend you do everything yourself, as there is a variety of different competency levels of VSO's and you often dont know how good of a VSO you got until its too late. It is pretty well accepted that some VSO's have made mistakes that resulted in a delay or even a loss of benefits to the Veteran, so I definately dont recommend "turning your life" over to a VSO that you met 5 minutes ago without at least a minimum of careful watching on your part. At a minimum, choose your VSO very carefully.

Whenever you send evidence to the VA Regional Office, keep copies and mail it certified mail return recipt requested since the VA is famous for "loosing" evidence then denying you, whether or not you have a VSO.

You have the right idea asking for advice on hadit.

To recieve any kind of benefits, you are going to need a Nexis.

[carlie]

Linda,

Do you have a diagnosis of PTSD from a MH professional ?

If yes, have they also stated what their opinion is on why you have PTSD ?

carlie

[john999]

The dog attack might be a good stressor. When I was in Vietnam I was sleeping inside a bunker. There was a dog handler with his dog who was talking to the other guard. The dog got away from the dog handler and fell into the bunker with me. I woke up looking into the eyes of a giant sentry dog. The dog handler nearly had a heart attack since he envisioned a courts martial due to my being killed by his dog. Obviously, I survived but I do remember it. If you were in fear of your life when attacked by the dog then that might qualify as a verifiable stressor. How badly were you injured by your dog?