ptsd Ptsd Increase Denied

[usmcfigdaddy]

I filed my claim in 02/09 for PTSD and tinitis .I think in 9/09 I was awarded 50% PTSD and no mention of tinitus .Took hearing test in 10/09 denied tinitus .I have 2 PH from Nam and one was a head wound??VSO with MOPH said file NOD for increase on PTSD and tinitus.Filed in 01/10..Received denial 07/08/10 with no mention on tinitus issue.Letter from VA enclosed an VA form 9 and instructions.Contacted MOPH on advice..Says she is real busy..Has opening for an appointment in couple of weeks.Wants me to come see her.I live 85 miles away 170 round trip.Unemployed for over a year..Having lots of trouble with moods.Please advise...---...

[carlie]

It's all about telling the truth about your symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder

and how it affects your daily life - especially factors and impairments of your social/ industrial and employment life.

[usmcfigdaddy]

Thanks mobie and carlie for you input on my claim..The advice sounds good .I have an appointment in about 3 hours with srink..I'm so stressed I've got to get some help...---...SEMPER FI

[john999]

The biggest factor in my experience between a 50% rating for a mental health disorder and a 70-100% rating is if the disabilility keeps you from working. You have to talk about Vietnam experience and how it affects you today. There is no way the doctor can understand exactly what happened in Vietnam, but you can tell him in detail about what you saw, heard, felt and touched in the combat zone. Of course, he is going to look at your condition now during the 15-30 minutes you see him. This is why it is important to get a private shrink to also look at you and write a report. You get what you pay for. C&P exams are just a brief snapshot of your life. You need to create the papertrail like others have said. You don't have to prove your PTSD claim. All you have to prove is you are worse. Medical evidence is the best way to do this.

[mobie16r]

Well said John

mobie

[carlie]

usmc,

This is only my opinion.

Being that you are already SC'd for PTSD, your stressor's to RVN have already been established.

In regards to a claim for an increase in percentage evaluation of your PTSD, RVN is no longer

an issue.

If you feel your PTSD has increased, it is no longer necessary to discuss your experience's

while you were in RVN - (unless you want to and it may help you acquire better daily coping skills).

How your PTSD (and other) symptoms (shown by medical evidence) impact your life today

are the factors used to determine the current percentage level of disability.

I tried to read your attachments but could only access one of them.

What was stated in the Reasons and Bases regarding Tinnitus ?

jmho

[usmcfigdaddy]

The biggest factor in my experience between a 50% rating for a mental health disorder and a 70-100% rating is if the disabilility keeps you from working. You have to talk about Vietnam experience and how it affects you today. There is no way the doctor can understand exactly what happened in Vietnam, but you can tell him in detail about what you saw, heard, felt and touched in the combat zone. Of course, he is going to look at your condition now during the 15-30 minutes you see him. This is why it is important to get a private shrink to also look at you and write a report. You get what you pay for. C&P exams are just a brief snapshot of your life. You need to create the papertrail like others have said. You don't have to prove your PTSD claim. All you have to prove is you are worse. Medical evidence is the best way to do this.

Thanks john I plan to find a private Dr soon for that reason.Thanks for your advice...Saw the srink at the VA today and got new meds..to follow up in 4 weeks with an other appointment.I still plan to see an outside Dr all this is under a time line of 60 days to file an appeal based on the paperwork the VA sent me DTD 7-8-10..Alot to do with not much time.. any other ideas or things I should do?...Thanks again