Question On Sexual Assault Trauma - TRIGGERS

[airdale]

1221

Edited October 11, 2011 by airdale

[john999]

Airdale has a problem with the fact he got out of service in 1976 and almost 35 years have passed. From what he says he has no evidence in the record of a sexual assault. This will be hard.

[airdale]

3722

Airdale-just read your post and am so sorry about your SA, subsequent trials with VA. and your health issues. It takes a lot of courage for any rape victim to come forward, but especially for a guy. I'm just appalled that anyone thought that your assault was a "gay" issue, including you. You have no way of knowing your abusers sexual orientation, those two guys could have had wives and children. Rape is not about SEX, it's about power and intimidation. My heart aches for you. I don't have any helpful information to help you with your claim; but, just had to let you know that someone out here in cyberspace cares about you and wishes you well with your health and your claim. Take care of yourself.

Lorraine

Edited October 11, 2011 by airdale

[airdale]

1978

Airdale has a problem with the fact he got out of service in 1976 and almost 35 years have passed. From what he says he has no evidence in the record of a sexual assault. This will be hard.

Edited October 11, 2011 by airdale

[airdale]

3434

air,

I will come right out and say this post brought up many problems with my MST/PTSD.

When you post of this nature please put the word TRIGGERS in the subject line.

I am going to edit your Subject title now and do this.

At this point, has VA ever granted SC for any of your "HIV-related", yet ?

Edited October 11, 2011 by airdale

[carlie]

airdale,

What exact disability's did you originally claim on your VA Form 21-526 ?

What from that was granted ?

What from that was denied ?

You posted,

"I learned a lot. The female victims like myself had become sexual addicts, which I did not know happened."

Just to be clear, the above is not something, that always happens, although it might happen, with some.

Below is information for you that shows the type of alternative evidence that may corroborate a stressor incident

for personal assault of a sexual nature.

If you have evidence such as this, it is important to put it in your claim.

http://www4.va.gov/vetapp09/files1/0903034.txt

If a PTSD claim is based on an in-service personal assault,

evidence from sources other than the veteran's service

records may corroborate the veteran's account of the

stressor incident.

Examples of such evidence include, but

are not limited to: records from law enforcement

authorities, rape crisis centers, mental health counseling

centers, hospitals, or physicians; pregnancy tests or tests

for sexually transmitted diseases; and statements from

family members, roommates, fellow service members or clergy.

Evidence of behavior changes following the claimed assault

is one type of relevant evidence that may be found in these

sources.

Examples of behavior changes that may constitute

credible evidence of the stressor include, but are not

limited to the following: a request for a transfer to

another military duty assignment; deterioration in work

performance; substance abuse; episodes of depression, panic

attacks or anxiety without an identifiable cause; or

unexplained economic or social behavior changes.

The VA

will not deny a PTSD claim that is based on in-service

personal assault without first advising the claimant that

evidence from sources other than the veteran's service

records or evidence of behavior changes may constitute

credible supporting evidence of the stressor and allowing

him or her the opportunity to furnish this type of evidence

or advise VA or potential sources of such evidence. VA may

submit any evidence that it receives to an appropriate

medical or mental health professional for an opinion as to

whether it indicates that a personal assault occurred. See

38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3).

[john999]

Airdale

Have you ever tried to get a lawyer to represent you in front of the VA? I think your claim is beyond most VSO's. Most are not up to it. However, it may be possible that since you have a DX of PTSD your claim may succeed. The more time passes and the more complex your claim becomes the more you need expert help. Because you have HIV the VA is probably apt to blame all your problems on the HIV. Your private medical records would be a big help if the VA does not have them. When was your last final decision from the VA? It is natural that the older your claims become the more things can happen to you. The VA looks for the non service connected reasons to explain your disability.