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?

[Notorious Kelly]

melanied,

You're doing great at being a strong mama and we;re proud of you!

[melanied]

I am adding an update to my claim. I haven't received my official notification but the letters are in e-benefits and the combined evaluation is 60 percent. I don't know what the breakdown is but I'm guessing 50 % for the PTSD/MST and the rest a combination of other ailments. Thank you for the advice and a great site. I would also like to encourage the other MST veterans to file. I did not report it and have lived with this for a long time.

[top]

CONGRATULATIONS, MELANIED! It is a difficult thing to live with; however, you are right, vets must not be scared and must file their claims and get treatment. Good luck to you.

[Eddie6464]

Melanied stay strong and wish u the best in health! I'm a Iraqi freedom vet also suffering from anxiety/depression and I know how hard it is at work to be getting panic attacks but remember to request reasonable accommodations for your disability to prevent any unfair treatment.