ptsd I Was Hoping That I Wouldn't Have To Ask For Help.

[Fosk]

I need some help with my form 9 but I don't know where or what to write. I have had 50% for migraines and just received 30% for MDD, in my SOC it states that I have PTSD but the IMO didn't state whether I was able to work or not so my TDIU was denied. The only thing I have done was to get a letter from my Phd doc and she wrote that i was unemployable due to a gaf of 44 and that I had MDD and PTSD with psycosis. I also scheduled an another IMO for march the 10th but if I don't need it I wouldnt mind not going. Any help would be appreciated as I am clueless on what to do. I can scan my soc and my increase letter but its alot of pages. Thank you in advance.~~~Fosk

[Berta]

I am lost here .John is right. You need a vet rep right away and request for a DRO hearing.

"I can scan my soc and my increase letter but its alot of pages" Just the Reasons and Bases for the decision might be enough for us to understand this better.

[broncovet]

Fosk

I agree with the others. You have been given good advice. I would add that, whether or not you get a hearing or use a VSO, you can, as I did, type up your own supplement to the I9. I simply noted on the I9 form "see attached Veterans supplement to the I9".

Then, in my supplement, I hit them with both barrels, from every direction. I told MY side of the story, including where I thought the VA was wrong, and why, and in my own words. Dont forget I told them why I thought I was entitlted to the benefit sought on appeal.

I did not use the "whiney" version...you know, oh, I have been sick for 8 years and my family and dog cant make ends meet...blah blah.

Instead, I stated my case: The audiologist opined, "The Veterans hearing loss is at least as likely as not due to noise exposure in military service"...so how does a rating specialist know that it has been too long since my military service..and deny my claim? Are we to take the rating specialists opinion over the 8 years of schooling that my audiologist had?

PS...I won my claim and the BVA cited the audiologist opinion. Of course, now it has taken me 7 years to get the RO to implement the BVA decision..and thats another story.

Bottom Line: Hang in there, and tell your side of the story with the I9. This is your turn to be your own lawyer, and ask for help if you need it.

[carlie]

Are you claiming the PTSD as secondary to the MDD? Yes I am, I thought by putting GAD instead of PTSD it would be more acceptable as this is non combat PTSD I hope I didn't screw up there. I also placed a second claim in for PTSD 3 years ago and that was denied as well. And my one year decision on that one is up on March 9th.

Fosk,

I can see MDD symptomology relating from PTSD

BUT

I do not see PTSD symptomology relating from MDD - how do you feel you also have PTSD from your MDD ?

In other words - what part of your MDD has been an event that made you feel your life was threatened

or in jeopardy ?

Then you have thrown in GAD as a claim issue after being denied PTSD.

Hopefully the VA will just concede you are filing a claim for a mental health disability

and go from there perhaps with an additional C&P for clarification.

[LarryJ]

Fosk,

I can see MDD symptomology relating from PTSD

BUT

I do not see PTSD symptomology relating from MDD - how do you feel you also have PTSD from your MDD ?

In other words - what part of your MDD has been an event that made you feel your life was threatened

or in jeopardy ?

Then you have thrown in GAD as a claim issue after being denied PTSD.

Hopefully the VA will just concede you are filing a claim for a mental health disability

and go from there perhaps with an additional C&P for clarification.

exactly!

[Fosk]

scan0001.pdf I hope this works!

[broncovet]

Fosk

The attachment "worked" but it did not give relevant information..it looked like you got awarded compensation, but we mostly need the "reasons and bases" for decision, and I did not see that page on your attachment.

I am fairly certain you only get compensated for symptoms of your worst mental health disorder..in other words if you have PTSD and MDD, then you will only be compensated for one...the worst one. "Pyramiding" prevents you from being compensated for the same symptoms on two different disorders.