ptsd Mortuary Affairs Ptsd

[kowa]

I was in 92-97. Non combat PTSD. Have had the diagnosis by no less than 4 Dr.'s. I have seen the results of many violent deaths while on duty, the majority civilian. Kids were the hardest. I was locked down on the tarmac to jump into Haiti in '94 but that's as close as I came to combat.

I had it when I got out but it became really bad in 2000 when my dad suffered a heart attack in front of me. Due to lack of knowlege and bad advice I didnt get into the VA system until '05 or 06.

My current Psych guy told me I should put in a claim a year and a half ago but I put it off because I feel bad for having it and not being a combat vet and I was working at the time..I am "laid off" now with no chance of going back I have had trouble every job I have been on because of the anxiety attacks.

I have many questions now that I have finally filed a claim. I see a bunch of guys getiting denied who seem to me to be far more deserving, so I'm really stressing the board when it happens. Maybe I should feel validated knowing 2 psychs have recommended me putting in a claim but I dont.

1. Is there a chance I get any compensation?

Since I have been having trouble at work...I have anxiety attacks at work, people look at me different, (ie. "yeah, you were a paratrooper" or "you are a liability") I have trouble going back. For one out of embarresment and two because I want to hurt these people that give me grief.

2. I am worried about my future and have considered applying for disability with the state. Can I do that with my VA records? Would the VA doc sign off on that?

3. I cant find most of the guys I was stationed with. Our numbers were few, especially when I went to Bragg and Campbell. The DAV guy says I dont need proof of a stressor, do I bring in paper clippings of a friend I lost as a towed jumper, or the tornado that collapsed a Wal-Mart an we recovered 4 casualties (no awards, we were doing our jobs) How does the VA know if I dont bring these to the board?

Any advise appreciated. Welcome any Questions if it helps provide a more informed answer for me.

[sharon]

http://www.ptsdsuppo...et/combat3.html

Traumatic events that are experienced directly include, but are not limited to, military combat, violent personal assault (sexual assault, physical attack, robbery, mugging), being kidnapped, being taken hostage, terrorist attack, torture, incarceration as a prisoner of war or in a concentration camp, natural or manmade disasters, sever automobile accidents, or being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. For children, sexually traumatic events may include developmentally inappropriate sexual experiences without threatened or actual violence or injury. Witnessed events include, but are not limited to, observing the serious injury or unnatural death of another person due to violent assault, accident, war, or disaster or unexpectedly witnessing a dead body or body parts. Events experienced by others that are learned about include, but are not limited to, violent personal assault, serious accident, or serious injury experienced by a family member or a close friend; learning that one's child has a life-threatening disease. The disorder may be especially severe or long lasting when the Stressor is of human design (e.g., torture, rape). The likelihood of developing this disorder may increase as the intensity of and physical proximity to the Stressor increase.

Edited March 31, 2011 by sharon

[Philip Rogers]

I believe that if you were assigned to a mortuary affairs unit your stressor is considered a given, without the need for stressor verification. We have a guy, in our group, who was a refrigeration specialist, maintained the refrigeration units the DOA's were stored in. He said it was very stressful, as the heat would cause the bodies to turn black, when the units would break down. He's TDIU now. jmo

pr

[SANDMAN]

My buddy was , graves registration / notification unit and that is considered a verified stressor .

Sgt Sandman