ptsd Unsure About Ptsd Claim

[westcoastlv]

My husbad was in the Persian Gulf. His DD214 shows Combat Action Ribbon and Southwest Asia Service Medal w/bronze Star, Kuwait Liberation Medal Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. We have recently (July 2010) filed a claim for PTSD. We have received the VCAA notice, and a letter stating they are still working on the claim. We have a service rep at the VAC who told us that the next letter to expect is to schedule the C&P Exam.

About 5 years ago my husband was diagnosed with BiPolar Disorder by a private psychiatrist. He has been taking medicine for it ever since. Little did we know at the time that the symptoms for Bi Polar and PTSD are very similar, with the exception of the stressor. The private psych didn't ask about any stressors, and we didn't even think there was a connection to the Gulf War. After some research and long thought, we started to pinpoint when my husbands behavior actually began to change. This 'disorder' began during his shore duty, after his time on the ship. He has just started seeing at VA pysch, and we told her about the PTSD, but also had to mention the bipolar (which we said was a misdiagnosis) so that he could keep on his meds. We obtained a copy of his first and only visit with the VA pysch and she mentioned the PTSD and bipolar, had a GAF of 65, and stated that there were some other mental health issues. This has been requested and received by the VA Comp as well. It did not give a definitive diagnosis of PTSD. We have NOT sent any private pysch clinic notes. I spoke with my husbands previous private pysch, and he agrees that his issues are most likely PTSD, but has no notes to that effect because the stressors were never discussed, and he based his diagnosis on what we told him had been previously diagnosed. We have another VA appt tomorrow, and I am thinking that we should stress the PTSD (at least to get it in her notes).

The VAC service rep said that we would most likely get 70% for the PTSD because of the Combat Action Ribbon, but I am concerned that is may not be such a slam dunk. My husband is in desparate need of a rating because he is unable to work. He has an extremely hard time coping with life, even with the medications.

My questions are: should we request that the VA pysch give him a complete PTSD evaluation tomorrow? How does the civilian diagnosis of BiPolar affect the PTSD claim? Or, will this all be resolved in the C&P exam regardless of previous diagnosis? Should we also go to a private pysch and request the PTSD evaluation?

I have written a letter about how my husband's life has been affected by this, and also a letter from him. Who do I show these to?

We've requested other ratings as well: Tinnitus, Bilateral Hearing Loss, and Elbow.

Any advice or insight would be helpful.

[westcoastlv]

Hello All, just wanted to add a quick update. I have just been informed that a decision was made on July 7th, and that the claim has been moved to the Notification Phase (although e-benefits does not reflect that). We are currently 3 days past the 1-year mark, so it looks like we will hear something soon. I have been told that the Notification phase takes anywhere between 10-40 days, but who knows how long that will be in VA time (kinda like dog years).

My husband is excited, but very nervous about what the determination will be. I guess we will just have to wait for the envelope in the mail. It's been almost 2 weeks, so any day now (I hope).

[carlie]

I guess we will just have to wait for the envelope in the mail. It's been almost 2 weeks, so any day now (I hope).

A back way to check is try calling the 1-800-UDUMBSHEET number (lol) and ask what the current rating percentage is.

Sometimes we can get a heads-up that way - sometimes we can't.

JMHO

[westcoastlv]

Well, went on EBenefits today to find that the claim has been closed. So, in taking the advice of what I've read on HadIt, I looked at the available letters and found the Benefit Verification Letter. My husband has been rated at 60% (which we feel is entirely too LOW). Also, the gross benefit amount reflects Veteran Only, although the VA has had the dependent information since day one. I called the 800# to get clarification and they told me that the letter was mailed out today, and it would contain all explanations and would tell me no more.

Let me say that we are grateful for a rating, they could have just as easily said 10%. However, 60% is way too low given all of the supporting documentation, and dependents weren't included. Apparently the TDIU was denied. We have a letter from his NP that states he is unable to work, or even function around other people.

The question I have is what's the next step? Do we file a NOD, or a Request for Reconsideration, or an appeal? BTW, there are other health issues that we haven't filed a claim for yet, but plan to do so in the very near future. The difference this time around is that we already have all the documentation.

Any advice would be appreciated!

[cooter]

I would wait till you get the letter in mail and read what it say's under the reason and bases. That will tell you what they based their decision on.

[cooter]

The VA will send you along with the official award letter a form 21-686c to fill out and return the form plus any documentation it will ask for, such as, Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, and birth certificates for children. You will have one year to submit this. Keep in mind, if you were married more than once, they'll need Divorce Decree from each ex-wife. The same with your current wife.

the VA has had the dependent information since day one

The information you gave was a 21-526 which asks info about your dependents as well

Edited August 3, 2011 by cooter

[westcoastlv]

@ Cooter, the document submitted was the 21-686c Declaration of Status of Dependents. Doesn't matter, we will just submit it again. Question: will they add the dependents extra onto the retro pay? Or is that separate?