ptsd My Stressor Letter

[ranger11bv]

MY PTSD STRESSOR STATEMENT*

* *

This situation relates to a time when I was in basic training at

Ft Benning Ga. My basic training unit was Company C42, USAIC, Fort Benning,

GA. Date there was from Oct. 18, 1985 to Jan. 24, 1986. My Drill Sgt was

Staff Sgt. Talamoa

During this time II was subjected to higher then normal levels of

intimidation, bulling, and physical trauma. Several times I was punched in

the face or chest over the course of a few weeks. I reported these incidents

to my Drill Sergeant, but was told to take it like a man and continue on

with my training.

One night on Fire Guard duty in Harmony Church, I was doing my

rounds when I was jumped by four (4) trainees. Three (3) held me down while

one individual continued to assault me, by hitting me repeatedly. I woke up

later with a trainee over me and asking me if I was alright OK. As I tried

to get up, I felt nauseated and vomited. There was pain in my stomach, my

right eye was closed up, and my nose was bleeding. The Trainee helped me up

and got Drill Sgt Talamoa (sp). Drill Sergeant gets me and others about an

hour later and asked us about what happened. When he seen my face, he asked

me about it. I said it was dark and they got me from behind. Drill Sergeant

then told me NOT to go to the aid station. I just nodded and went to the

latrine to clean up.

I was bed-ridden for 3 days. During which time I was

continuously coughing up blood and vomiting. I asked the Drill Sergeant

Talamoa if I could go to the aid station, but again he said no, I'll get

better. Eventually I did get better- physically. But I did have a sense of

helplessness I never felt before. I started having trouble concentrating on

simple tasks at hand. I had recurring nightmares of the event. I started

sleeping less and less until it was just 2-3 hours per night. This still

continues to this day. I wake up w/ my heart pounding 3-5 times per night.

Before the event, I was very engaging and trusting of others. Now, I only

have a handful of people I can call friends. I will do anything to avoid

getting into a physical altercation all together. To this day I'm nervous

when in a crowd. I try to be by myself seeing that being alone, I'm

guaranteed that I will be OK. This also helps me with my over-hyper

vigilance. I can concentrate on the things that are important. But being

alone just puts this in a controllable albeit uncertain level. My outburst

of anger constantly reminds me that I must watch myself. These outburst have

led to either getting fired from jobs, or makes it near impossible to have a

serious relationship. While in, I had 4 AR-15. On the outside, I have had over

65 jobs up to 2007. I have not worked since.

[Pete53]

When or if you get a VCAA Letter read it over and over and do what ever they say you need to make your claim a winner. Its really as simple as that

[ranger11bv]

Im hoping so. this is just getting to me. Some of the VA people know what Im going for and why, and have an attitude...

[john999]

I think the VA just applies the regulations regarding stressors. I don't think they care if it is combat or non combat as long as it meets criteria. The thing is the VA does not care about individual vets. It is a machine. They have a quota of claims to make either denials or approvals.

[ranger11bv]

Well, got a letter in the mail Friday saying that the C&P for me knee is THIS Wednesday!! And my C&P for my PTSD it will be July 9th!!!! YES!! Now I can finally get things going!!! Any advice about my exams should know about??

[carlie]

ranger,

There is a link to the C&P exams on Hadit's homepage, that you might want to check out.

[halos2]

Be honest. If you have one good day out of 20 tell of the bad days, mentally and physically pain youhave and continue to experience. If you take medication, tell them what you take and why you take it and if you still have pain or anxiety issues tell them. The nicer you dress the more they will think you are healthier! They will observe your gait when walking/ posture when sitting etc. If you smile, they will think you are happy. This is your chance to tell the truth how you feel, and how your life has been impacted related to these disabilities. Also if because of your knee problem, does it affect your feet, ankles, back. If so let them know. What have you done to cope with pain? Medication, heat, exercise, braces, etc. Good luck.