Just Got Out Of Mental Heath

[ranger11bv]

I just got out of the mental health ward at the VA in Phoenix. I was wondering if I should file and what for??

[ranger11bv]

Good Morning, 'Ranger11bv'. Pete 53's suggestion about visiting a Vet Center sounds like a good idea. Tell them what you just posted here. That's a start.

Remember, you are not alone. You experienced a PTSD trigger.

Ummm... already tried that. They only see "combat" ptsd people!!!! MY A$$!!!!!!

[ranger11bv]

What is your current rating for? If it is for PTSD/depression the trips to the mental ward should really help you get a higher rating. I would file for an increase using the date of your hospital admission and those records as your evidence. The GAF you got on admission has to be low or they would not have admitted you.

Im currently rated at 10% for my knees. Im trying to get PTSD service connected. My GAF was a 35 upon admittance.

From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Assessment_of_Functioning

The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) is a numeric scale (0 through 100) used by mental health clinicians and physicians to subjectively rate the social, occupational, and psychological functioning of adults, e.g., how well or adaptively one is meeting various problems-in-living. The scale is presented and described in the DSM-IV-TR on page 32 and below:

Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale• Consider psychological, social, and occupational functioning on a hypothetical continuum of mental health-illness. Do not include impairment in functioning due to physical (or environmental) limitations.

Code (Note: Use intermediate codes when appropriate, e.g., 45, 68, 72.)

100-91 Superior functioning in a wide range of activities, life’s problems never seem to get out of hand, is sought out by others because of his/her many positive qualities. No symptoms.

90-81 Absent of minimal symptoms (e.g., mild anxiety before an exam), good functioning in all areas, interested and involved in a wide range of activities,socially effective, generally satisfied with life, no more than everyday problems or concerns (e.g., an occasional argument with family members).

80-71 If symptoms are present, the are transient and expectable reactions to psycho-social stressors (e.g., difficulty concentrating after family argument); no more than slight impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., temporarily falling behind in schoolwork).

70-61 Some mild symptoms (e.g., depressed mood and mild insomnia) OR some difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., occasional truancy, or theft within the household), but generally functioning pretty well, has some meaningful relationships.

60-51 Moderate symptoms (e.g., flat affect and circumstantial speech, occasional panic attacks) OR moderate difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., few friends, conflicts with peers or co-workers).

50-41 Serious symptoms (e.g., suicidal ideation, severe obsessional rituals, frequent shoplifting) OR any serious impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., no friends, unable to keep a job).

40-31 Some impairment in reality testing or communication (e.g., speech is at times illogical, obscure, or irrelevant) OR major impairment in several areas, such as work or school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood (e.g., depressed man avoids friends, neglects family, and is unable to work; child frequently beats up younger children, is defiant at home, and is failing at school).

30-21 Behavior is considerably influenced by delusions or hallucinations OR serious impairment in communication or judgment (e.g., sometimes incoherent, acts grossly inappropriately, suicidal preoccupation) OR inability to function in almost all areas (e.g., stays in bed all day; no job, home or friends).

20-11 Some danger of hurting self or others (e.g., suicidal attempts without clear expectation of death; frequent violent; manic excitement) OR occasionally fails to maintain minimal personal hygiene (e.g., smears feces) OR gross impairment in communication (e.g., largely incoherent or mute).

10-1 Persistent danger of severely hurting self or others (e.g., recurrent violence)OR persistent inability to maintain minimal personal hygiene OR serious suicidal act with clear expectation of death.

[john999]

Ranger

If you filed for PTSD and served in a combat zone I think the trip to the mental ward will help with your claim. It will be part of your VA medical record. Your effective date is going to be the date you filed for PTSD. The hospital record is just more evidence of the fact you have PTSD and severe PTSD at that. If you were hospitalized for PTSD before this time you may be able to use that date as an informal claim for PTSD and use that as a EED. I did that on my TDIU. The VA used a hospial date as my effective date even though it was months earlier than my TDIU form submission. You need to be in treatment be it at a vet center or a va shrink.

[Commander Bob]

Ummm... already tried that. They only see "combat" ptsd people!!!! MY A$$!!!!!!

OMG!! "They only see "combat" ptsd people"... Thanks for the up-date, Ranger11bv.

I am sorry for that misdirection, 'ranger11bv'. I called the Vet Center out in Phoenix, and of course, it's too early in the morning, and no one answered the phone. So I called a Vet Center in the Central time zone, and was surprised to find out that they only see "combat" & MST vets. I was floored. I spoke to a drone of a person at the Vet Center, and was blandly told that they only see combat vets. I had to pull the MST treatment services, out of the person on the other end of the phone. I was directed to send non-combat vets to the VAMC for help.

So I called another Vet Center, this time in Boston, and got the same story. Though the guy was hurried, he sounded a little more caring, than the first vet center.

Pete 53, lets make a note about this. I am stunned. I helped out with the start up of a few Vet Centers in the 1980's. It was originally called "Vietnam Vet Centers". Our motto was "Help with out Hassles". Back then, we would help anyone who stepped in the door. Later I helped lobby congress to open the vet centers for all vets from all eras.

I'll try Phoenix, one more time before I post this... *** I just got off the phone with a very compassionate Vet Center employee, and she confirmed that, unfortunately they can only see the above mentioned vets. Also, she said the Phoenix vet center can see vets on a limited basis with bereavement and other issues.

We need more info, Ranger11bv. What was was the nature of your PTSD? What happened? Where were you stationed?

Edited August 3, 2010 by Commander Bob

[ranger11bv]

OMG!! "They only see "combat" ptsd people"... Thanks for the up-date, Ranger11bv.

I am sorry for that misdirection, 'ranger11bv'. I called the Vet Center out in Phoenix, and of course, it's too early in the morning, and no one answered the phone. So I called a Vet Center in the Central time zone, and was surprised to find out that they only see "combat" & MST vets. I was floored. I spoke to a drone of a person at the Vet Center, and was blandly told that they only see combat vets. I had to pull the MST treatment services, out of the person on the other end of the phone. I was directed to send non-combat vets to the VAMC for help.

So I called another Vet Center, this time in Boston, and got the same story. Though the guy was hurried, he sounded a little more caring, than the first vet center.

Pete 53, lets make a note about this. I am stunned. I helped out with the start up of a few Vet Centers in the 1980's. It was originally called "Vietnam Vet Centers". Our motto was "Help with out Hassles". Back then, we would help anyone who stepped in the door. Later I helped lobby congress to open the vet centers for all vets from all eras.

I'll try Phoenix, one more time before I post this... *** I just got off the phone with a very compassionate Vet Center employee, and she confirmed that, unfortunately they can only see the above mentioned vets. Also, she said the Phoenix vet center can see vets on a limited basis with bereavement and other issues.

We need more info, Ranger11bv. What was was the nature of your PTSD? What happened? Where were you stationed?

Here it is:

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.

[stillhere]

Ranger

If you filed for PTSD and served in a combat zone I think the trip to the mental ward will help with your claim. It will be part of your VA medical record. Your effective date is going to be the date you filed for PTSD. The hospital record is just more evidence of the fact you have PTSD and severe PTSD at that. If you were hospitalized for PTSD before this time you may be able to use that date as an informal claim for PTSD and use that as a EED. I did that on my TDIU. The VA used a hospial date as my effective date even though it was months earlier than my TDIU form submission. You need to be in treatment be it at a vet center or a va shrink.

i think that John hit the nail on the head. Anyone that is suffering from PTSD should be in treatment and go from there to working your claim. I agree I am pretty sure of the VA shrink recommends you for treatment at a Vet Center you will be seen. I am was in a combat zone so I am not absolutely sure but it would make since. I will ask when I go back next week.