ptsd Not Sure What To Make Of This

[melanied]

I will try and make a long story short. I am a female, active duty USAF for eleven years and then the Reserves for the next nine years. When I got off active duty they did not brief us on the VA and I had no idea I could file for compensation. Some of my medical records are missing but the ones they have contain a lot of the important information. A friend from active duty came to visit and told me I should consider filing. I went to the local Veteran service center and they helped me fill out the paperwork. The guy was great and spent many hours with me. I began getting panic attacks on active duty (well documented) and have been treated for them since. When he asked about MST I hesitated and he immediately saw I had suffered from that. (I was raped - undocumented but did tell a couple people and was assaulted by a Foreign Officer while TDY and the USAF got me out of the country immediately). The VA immediately put me in counseling at the Vet Center and I really like her and she suggested that my panic disorder and anxiety could be due to the MST. Please note I was married shortly after that and he was very physically abusive. I stayed with him for many years due to the anxiety and didn't want to be alone and couldn't drive at that point due to the panic disorder. I had a child and couldn't even go to the grocery store. The abusive husband is documented in my medical records as well. I had a couple of other claims as well for lower back, ETD, deviated septum (had it operated on twice while active duty) and allergic rhinitis. I filed in November 2010 and had five C&P exams in February 2011. I requested copies and received two so far for the lower back and the deviated septum and allergic rhinitis. The doctors stated at least likely as not. My question is mostly for the PTSD/MST. When I had the exam, he asked very few questions. He knew I was going to counseling and when we finished he said he was going to write a favorable for me and if I didn't get compensated I should contact my Senator. I'm not sure what to make of that and am still trying to get a copy. A few of weeks ago the VA sent a request to the counselor at the Vet Center for my records from there. She said they mailed them over two weeks ago. I submitted my stressor letters and a buddy letter. I had what I thought was a good VSO but haven't been able to get in touch with him for a couple of weeks. I get the answering machine, leave a message and nobody ever calls back. I signed up for the level 2 e-benefits a few days ago and waiting for the login to arrive in the mail. I work as I have found if I immerse myself in work it gives me less time to think of other things and I just suffer through the anxiety. I did provide a letter from my doctor stating I was still being treated for panic disorder

My questions are:

What is your take on the short PTSD/MST exam and the comments?

Should I find a new VSO?

[ExAirman]

Melanie,

Welcome to the board, you among great people here who will do what we can to assist in your progress through the VA claims process. I recommed that you spend some time just browsing through the board forums and reading old messages. I've found answers to many of my questions (and some I hadn't thought to ask) by doing that.

I understand not being told about the VA claims process. When I initial seperated from the Air Force in 1985 I knew nada about any VA claims systems, other that VA home loans and VA educational benefits. When I rejoined though I was made aware of the claims system from others around me. It is a sad thing the VA did to so many veterans.

It sounds like you are doing the right thing now, you've contacted a VSO, have your claim processing, and are getting your eBenefits account to monitor the process.

In answer to your questions:

1) A short Mental Health exam isn't necessarily a bad thing in terms of what the rating will be - the important thing is what the evaluator writes in the report. From you say he said, it sounds favorable, but you really need to get a copy of the report to evaluate it properly. You might want to shake the tree again on the report request.

2) Not sure what to tell you with your VSO. It certainly isn't very professional for him to just 'disappear' on you. You might want to call another agency in your area that assists vets and just ask if they know anything about your VSO.

Good luck on your claims - you deserve it!

Owen

[carlie]

A few of weeks ago the VA sent a request to the counselor at the Vet Center for my records from there. She said they mailed them over two weeks ago.

This sounds a bit unusual to me. Vet Centers usually have a policy they follow to NOT PROVIDE YOUR RECORDS

to the VA, as sometimes the complete record could be damaging to the claim. To my knowledge they do a synopsis of your treatment regime

and a summary letter.

I submitted my stressor letters and a buddy letter.

Did you submit one of the following:

STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF CLAIM FOR SERVICE CONNECTION FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

(PTSD) SECONDARY TO PERSONAL ASSAULT

http://www.vba.va.go...1-0781a-ARE.pdf

My questions are:

What is your take on the short PTSD/MST exam and the comments?

The main thing is to first get the PTSD SC'd and it sounds like you possibly have

a bit of good alternative evidence in your military records. I wouldn't be contacting

my senator too quick as that can also slow down getting decisions.

Should I find a new VSO?

Not necessarily at all - you poste he spent several hours with you.

Most people don't get many return calls from the VSO's, as the claim has been

submitted and all they do at this point is wait for a decision.

Everything I've posted here is only my opinion and maybe other's will chime in too.

[melanied]

Thank you. I've been having computer issues and hopefully I'm re posting in the right place.

I did fill out the stressor form from the VA. Below is what I received from the C & P exam (just part). I had other claims (ear, nose) that were evaluated at least likely as not. This is the end of the report from the C & P for PTSD/MST. Your insight is greatly appreciated.

DIAGNOSIS: AXIS I: Post-traumatic stress disorder with panic attacks/agoraphobic features

AXIS II: Deferred

AXIS III: Physical allegations

AXIS IV: health concerns. Marital stays: Divorced. Interpersonal difficulties

AXIS V: 55

Recommendations: After reading the C folder and the medical literature it is reasonable to conclude the veterans allegations of manifesting PTSD linked to the service are credible and the same applies to the veterans allegations of anxiety condition. The anxiety condition is manifested by many symptoms of anxiety/apprehension, panic attacks and agoraphobic features which are considered to be forming part of PTSD condition. Veteran has a fully linked to the service PTSD condition.

[john999]

I think your PTSD claim will be approved. Now continue to get treatment. Get the best treatment you can get from people you like. Compensation is great, but you need long term treatment for these problems as well. Do you see a psychiatrist?

[Pete53]

Welcome to Hadit.

Are you able to work? If you are not working right now you should ask for TDIU and you should apply for social security. If you have done both and are working I agree you should get between 30% to 50% for PTSD.

Since I have panic disorder with agoraphobia I know how hard it is to work with those problems.

Good Luck to you and to me it looks like you have a good service officer but as many here on Hadit have learned it is best to check out what they are doing cause in the end your claim is your responsibility not any VSO's

[melanied]

I am being treated as well as going to counseling. I do work and learned how to just live with this while at work. I was a single mom and we would have been really hungry if I didn't. I have huge driving problems but am trying to work on that. Also in the exam notes he stated theat the effects of symptoms of PTSD functioning have been moderately servere. He also said that socially and occupationally the veteran has been compromised moderately because of PTSD symptomatology along with the ramifications or superimposed characteristics of anxiety/panic disorder with agoraphobic features. Not sure what all that means. I am afraid if I don't work I will never leave my house.