ptsd Need Advice

[stormvet]

I need quick advice concerning this issue. I have a claim that started 20 Aug 2010 for iBS which I have suffered with since 91. In Sept 2010 I had 18inches of the colon removed due to diverticulitis and in Jan 2011 gallbladder removed. My questions are the diverticulosis and gall bladder are filed as secondary to IBS. The VA sent me the standard letter today indicating that they needed more evidence on the gallbladder and a waiver form to make the decision within the next 30 days. I am not expecting the decision in the next 30 days really, but should I gather the information now or let them make the decision and file a NOD on the gallbladder. There were 15 issuies I filed for in Aug 2010 and my VSO insisted that the gallbladder claim would be seperate from the original claim but looks like the VA has lumped all into one. I have private insurance that has paid 250,000 for surgeries and specialists since last AUG. And my PTSD has pretty much incapacited me with the other issues I suffer from. The PTSD was diagnosed in 91 at 0% by that VA and I was hospitalized at Ft Bragg for it prior to seperation from AD. Back then I came so disgusted with the VA I just gave up but now im behind the 8ball not being able to work due to these issues. I have been advised by the Psychirist at the VA not to even drive with the meds she has me on. Any comments would be appreciated.

[Guest]

You need a medical opinion that your digestive conditions are related to your service or your IBS. Have an Internal Medicine Specialist review your SMRs and any current records and write a statement. Make sure the specialist states that they have reviewed your military records and current records and it is their medical opinion that your condition is related to your service. The specialist must give a good medical rationale. As to your claim for PTSD, as long as you are already service connected at 0% all you need to do is meet the higher rating percentage.

Edited April 24, 2011 by pete992

[sharon]

File for an increase on your PTSD. Have your doctor write an opinion on your secondary conditions.

[stormvet]

Time going by and PTSD is getting worse. Last week the Psychiritist suggested I may need to go inpatient for a while.... She put it off for one last chance and upped the venaflexine(sp) to the max dose. If this fails I see no way out of going inpatient again. I did an inpatient program in 91 at Ft Bragg which didn't hlep much. If anyone here has went through this please speak up. I feel like I have a jail sentence facing me with this. This has been a rollercoaster ride for 20 years now but the last 10 months have been pure hell.

[Berta]

"PTSD was diagnosed in 91 at 0%"

Was that SC "0" or NSC "0"?

The 21 day inhouse program for PTSD can be a very positive experience.

My husband was in Buffalo inhouse for PTSD many many years ago.He had much apprehension about this and we didnt sleep at al the night before he went as he had to be at the local VA at 4:30 AM for the van.The team leaders and therapists were Great!I met many of them and the vets he was in the program with.

He and the other vets told me it was the best PTSD help they had gotten out of VA so far.I sure believe that.

The lock down status is sort of BS-just to keep the 'world' out,if you catch my drift.They had some day trips and no sense of being confined.

When I picked my husband up from the local VAMC after the VAN from Buffalo dropped him off he said the program was great but he felt he needed a whole year of inhouse help because he went through a whole year of Hell that he needed to be debriefed from.(He was USMC Danang 1stMarDIV,Ist Amphibious Tracker Battalion 1965-66.)

[stormvet]

SC at 0% diagnosed in 91 closed in 94

[Pete53]

Sign the waiver and send it in immediately. From what you have said you should get upgraded. Any medical information that supports secondary needs to be sent in also. Ask for your progress notes copy them and highlight anything that supports your claim and send in quickly.

Use any energy you have to tighten up your claim you know ducks in a row.

Good Luck and thank you for serving.