ptsd Tbi To Ptsd

[togb68]

When deployed, I first suffered a concussion (TBI). I was out of it for about 24 hours and had a bad headache. Typical to a deployed environment, I was sent to my CHU for quarters and really had no follow-up. My job was stressful--and often times very mentally draining. By the end of my tour, I was depressed and still having headaches. Admittedly, I was angry at the Army. When I redeployed and demobilized, I filed a claim for the TBI because of the continuing headaches, tremors, and loss of balance. This was in 2009. Since that time, I've had some issues... anger, depression, insomonia. After my family gave me an ultimatum, I went to the VA's OEF/OIF counseling center in San Antonio--which is apparently only slightly affiliated with the VA. I was told they don't share or have access to each other's records. I've been in weekly counseling since last August. That doctor indicates PTSD, but I can't say that I encountered any one event as traumatic--certainly not like the combat arms guys. The entire tour just sucked. I had three individuals that I worked with commit suicide, one right outside my office. Jump forward to last month when I was on my 3rd TBI exam for my claim... the doc and I were discussing emotional issues associated with TBI and I broke down crying. I can't even talk about Afghanistan without becoming angry or crying. He suggests now that instead of claiming TBI that I file a claim for PTSD. Quite honestly, I never felt this emotionally raw until my head injury... I don't want to just keep filing claims--just want it recognized, as I can already tell this is going to have a life long impact. I also don't want to delay this process anymore... I'm tired of fighting. Any advice?

[john999]

So right now you have a claim for TBI with the VA? You can also file a claim for PTSD? You can have both problems. Are you out of the military now? How long?

[Berta]

John is right.

The incident for the TBI -if IED or Motor vehicle accident- is a stressor and so is this if it happened during your enlistment:

"I had three individuals that I worked with commit suicide, one right outside my office."

"That doctor indicates PTSD, but I can't say that I encountered any one event as traumatic--certainly not like the combat arms guys"

PTSD can come from many non combat situations.

You might fall into the new PTSD criteria. It is in the PTSD forum.A good service officer could help you shape the claim to fall into the new regs.

Has the VA acted on the 2009 TBI claim yet?

Were you able to send them all they asked for in the VCAA letter you got?