ptsd Not Sure What Going On

[jokerwaswild]

First, I want to say to the creators of this website, thank you. Information is power.

I filed a claim two months ago for an increase on lower lumbar which the VA increased my rating by 10% in 2008. I also filed a claim for PTSD. I served in the first Gulf War and was part of the initial push to Saudi Arabia September 90. My job was Water Purification in which we supplied potable water to forward units. I did witness deadbodies, oil fires, pills, the whole nine yards When I returned from the Gulf I began to expirence sleep problems and my family fell apart 3 years aftewards because of the undiagnosed conditions I was expierencing. However, like many other soilders who returned from the Gulf, I remained on active duty and eventually retired in 04', While on active duty, we was bombarded with threats of visiting mental health doctors. It seem like than it was a death sentence on your career if you told mental health you are havin problems coping.I treaded water when it came to reporting mental helath problems. I have about four solid pieces of evidence in my medical records about sleep (There was no such thing as PTSD than) let alone sleep studies. There is medical evidence of my visits to doctors for Sleep problems from 93, 97, 98, and 03. In 1998, I was refered to mental hygeine for Gulf War Syndrome evaluation. (Do not know where this information went) of the results of the evaluation. I was perscribed Zoloft, (In the Army for depression) Cyclobenzaprine, Hydrocodone, and host of other cocktails for my lower lumbar.

April of this year, I was diagnosed with Severe Sleep Apnea and received an CPAP machine from the VA. I was shock because I thought the VA was going to make me get a machine through Tri-Care. I also was refereed by my health Care provider to the VA for a PTSD Examination. Long story short, by the time the smoke cleared I was perscribed Trazodone and Lexapro by the Physcologist. I recieved a GAF score 59. Axis 1 read: Anxiety and depression disorder R/O Post Traumatic. My Anxiety is so bad now that I only sleep with the aid of medications and CPAP. I thnk of dying all the time. I told the RO that my sleep has never been the same since the Guf War. Being deployed into an enviromen where the threat of chemiical weapons was high apparently freaked me out when the ground war started. During the 4 day war, I did not sleep in fear of being Gased and I guess my system hasn't recovered from it. I went to my C & P exam, spoke with a lady for a bout 20 minutes and I was told to look for a result in 2-3 months.

I am currently service connected for 10% Scar, 10% knee condition, and 20% Lower Lumbar strain.

Here is my question:

1. Do I have PTSD according to the VA because they are persribing me Trazodone and Lexapro. Also, I have been attending monthly work shops with pyscologist.

2. What are my chances on getting service connected for PTSD? and secondary for sleep Apnea

Also, during my C & P examination I remember the RO saying you have severe Anxiety and to continue seeing my doctor and meds

Thanks,

[carlie]

Had an appointment with my shrink today. I noticed when we talk about stressors she begins to type on her computer. Also, I feel she wants me to continue to see her ratherthan transfer my care to the Tampa VA. She mentioned I am one of the few "Studies" that keep appointments with her and share information at her sessions. Do not know where she is going with that. She also increased my meds because they weren't working. They work now.

You can only be in a study if you are provided the info on the study and place your signature in agreement

to be a part of the study.