ptsd Getting Data For A Ptsd Claim - Requesting Comments

[autumn]

my question is at the bottom after the background info. sorry, i know its long. this uphill VA battle is like a broken record, hope you understand

[a little background]

active duty 1986:

-back injury

-surgery scheduled

-LP#1 shows CSF infection

-surgery canceled

-neuro issues start

-sent to shrink for neuro issues

-LP#2 shows evidence of MS + csf infection

-LP#3 shows evidence of MS & CSF infection going down

-still seeing shrink for neuro issues

-navy neuro writes LP tests/MS were false neg

-hon-med discharged: 20% HNP lower back, 10% major depression secondary to chronic pain

civilian 1987:

-in VA system

-divorce

-end up on the street, less than a year

-drinking increases

-try to quit medicines and drinking, 2 suicide attempts then

-many times asked the VA to redo the Navy LP tests to rule out MS

-still having those weird neuro exacerbations, though no diagnosis for it

-VA lists me as major depressed, depressed with psychotic-tendencies, bi-polar, and a few other weird labels

-i believed the VA diagnosis versus what my body was/is telling me

-i start to think i'm really nuts, and really start to withdraw, little trust in most people

-stopped drinking in 1990

-neuro relapses getting more frequent and lasting longer

-severe hearing loss with ringing in ears. VA gives me hearing aids

-VA still denies MS, won't adequately test for it, puts blame on everything but a neuro disease: i.e., drinking, smoking, mini-strokes maybe, migraines, and all those weird MH labels, etc

-move to different city, and VA reluctantly agrees to MRI for MS: if something shows, they'll do a LP

-MRIs return "dawsons fingers, demyelinating disease in brain", LP positive for MS

-start getting IMO's from board cert'd MS neuros and neurosurgeons. all return assessment with MS

-VA finally agrees to ABC drug, but only after IMO reports, though the VA discounted all IMO's

-attend VA anger management classes due to i can't really handle all this any more

-get scared and angry just going to the VA.

-MRIs a year later show new lesions on spine from IMO requested MRIs. VA discounted those

-filed appeals claim for MS, had C&P for MS, waiting on decision

-SSDI awarded for MS, etc. tried working but i just can't hang (pain & irritability)

-now the VA says there is no evidence of bi-polar or psycho whatever. symptoms likely due to demyelinating disease. i told them that for 23+ years!

-no doubt i'm depressed/anxietied in some way, at the least due to MS symptoms, etc

-no doubt i'm anxietied in some way, at the least due to mis-diagnosis/labeled over the years from VA med care

just looking for a little practical guidance regarding a ptsd claim or maybe a MH claim. the above is all documented in mil med records and va med records and IMO med records.

i looked at tbird's link, "Ptsd - Check This Before Posting Your Question It May Have Already Been Answered!" and i think i meet a stressor or two that is acceptable to VA?

i don't know, i put it out here to seek some answers. i sure can't get any from the VA that i can wrap my head around.

question:

i feel like i have some form of ptsd, though non-combat related. i want to file a claim for ptsd. with the above history, is that what i should file for?

tia,

autumnleaves

[autumn]

autumn,

You can only be compensated for one mental health issue (no matter how many additional diagnosis of mental health issues are added). Since you are already service connected for depression than you are already compensated for a mental health issue. Getting PTSD added to your mental health diagnosis might get you an increase in your already sc'd rating, but not a seperate rating. If you are just trying to get diagnosed for treatment purposes, then that would certainly help you to get the right help you need.

Wishing you well, and good luck

Gardener

>>If you are just trying to get diagnosed for treatment purposes, then that would certainly help

this has and still is the number one priority and always has been. if compensation is justifide, then that is ok with me as i can't work now anyways. i just have some things that need sorted out so i can move on with my life a little better. always seemed simple to me.

thank you for your advice and help. i don't feel so "alone in this" after getting feedback here.

[LarryJ]

Just two questions:

When did you turn in your claim for MS (and HOW did you turn it in)?

Who is your veterans service officer (who holds your Power Of Attorney)?

(and "NO" I'm NOT looking for someone to represent!)

just askin............

[autumn]

Just two questions:

When did you turn in your claim for MS (and HOW did you turn it in)?

Who is your veterans service officer (who holds your Power Of Attorney)?

(and "NO" I'm NOT looking for someone to represent!)

just askin............

first time in 2009 after the MRIs were positive. it was denied due to lack of med evidence. i didn't realize there was NO information in my c-file. i didn't even know what a c-file was. i thought they looked at my med file.

rep that filed NOD is legal folks versed in VA claims. i got all med evidence together for them, they got the records send to the c-file folks and i have reciepts for delivery.

why do you ask?

[autumn]

if there is over-whelming objective data to show MS, and the VA, or i'll say this VA, won't go further than to write, "unspecified CNS disease", only by filing a claim that that [might] get them to make a diagnosis and thus get proper & timely treatment(s)?

i know, not my original question, but was just wondering

[autumn]

well Larry, what say you? ...

Just two questions:

When did you turn in your claim for MS (and HOW did you turn it in)?

Who is your veterans service officer (who holds your Power Of Attorney)?

(and "NO" I'm NOT looking for someone to represent!)

just askin............

[Gulfvet]

A friend told me that he got 50% SC for flashbacks, can this be true or not?