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Ptsd/mst Denial

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lp56

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Thank you in advance for sensitivity to these questions. I entered the army in 1976 and the two years I spent in the military was nothing but sexual harassment, intimidation, sexual battery and even rape. Reporting to my superiors what was happening to me only made it worse; in fact, my superiors were very often the ones coercing, intimidating and assaulting me. It is gut-wrenching to think or speak about all the horrible things that happened to me, but I will say that I was so despondant and desperate to get out of the army and away from all the abuse I was suffering that I actually married the soldier who raped and impregnated me. Suicide and abortion were the alternatives. At the time, I made the only choice I could to survive. While married, my ex did horrible things to my children, which gave me the courage to divorce. I have been diagnosed with PTSD due to MST from several VA doctors and the C&P examiner. I have been in therapy for over 2 years. It took over 30 years to confide in a professional about what happened in the military and although I have documented all the stressors well and have many letters from family and friends and one year of psych records, I have no official police reports or medical evidence except the pregnancy to corroborate my claims. My claim was denied because the examiner said it is "unlikely" anyone would marry the person who raped them. They also said one of my journal entries said I laughed with my ex. They also said my PTSD was more likely due from my daughter being molested, which was not service connected. There was no mention whatsoever of any of the other reported MST I documented in my claim or that were in my psych records and how any of that caused my PTSD.

I plan to file a NOD, but want to make sure I do it correctly. Here are my questions about the NOD. Should I send in any additional information, such as more psych records and letter from pastor who counseled me with the NOD? The psych records document everything if someone would only read them. Should the NOD be a standard letter with the required info or should I address the reasons why they denied me? Should I have lawyer represent me or wait to see if I need to appeal further? I was really expecting a Women Veteran Coordinator to contact me because of the sensitivity of the MST claim, but I was not contacted. I am hoping someone with more experience and sensitivity with MST will review my case. I really appreciate any advice on what to do next. Thank you.

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I had my hearing today and although it was emotionaly and mentally draining, it went very, very well. Without going into any detail right now, I am being rescheduled for another C&P exam asap. I am so thankful for all the advice, resources and encouragement that I have received from this forum. So much of the information I received, especially about being prepared and sticking to the facts, was right on. For once in a long time, I feel hopeful again. Thank you all very much.

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I had my hearing today and although it was emotionaly and mentally draining, it went very, very well. Without going into any detail right now, I am being rescheduled for another C&P exam asap. I am so thankful for all the advice, resources and encouragement that I have received from this forum. So much of the information I received, especially about being prepared and sticking to the facts, was right on. For once in a long time, I feel hopeful again. Thank you all very much.

Welcome Home. Glad your hearing is done, and sounds like it went well for you. Do you know if the VA provides a transcript of your hearing? Was it recorded? I'm being curious.

Happy Holidays! ~Wings

USAF 1980-1986, 70% SC PTSD, 100% TDIU (P&T)

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Thank you Wings, it is a major relief to have the hearing behind me. The hearing was recorded and the DRO said the recording would be transcripted so she could go over it again. The DRO promised to read all of my evidence this time around, which is why I wanted a hearing. Both the DRO and my VSO asked me several questions about my original C&P exam and they both seemed disturbed and puzzled about the findings. The next step is for me to have a second C&P exam with a different doctor. The DRO and VSO were so nice and they genuinely seemed as if they wanted to help me. Again, I am hopeful. Merry Christmas!

Welcome Home. Glad your hearing is done, and sounds like it went well for you. Do you know if the VA provides a transcript of your hearing? Was it recorded? I'm being curious.

Happy Holidays! ~Wings

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  • HadIt.com Elder

Thank you Wings, it is a major relief to have the hearing behind me. The hearing was recorded and the DRO said the recording would be transcripted so she could go over it again. The DRO promised to read all of my evidence this time around, which is why I wanted a hearing. Both the DRO and my VSO asked me several questions about my original C&P exam and they both seemed disturbed and puzzled about the findings. The next step is for me to have a second C&P exam with a different doctor. The DRO and VSO were so nice and they genuinely seemed as if they wanted to help me. Again, I am hopeful. Merry Christmas!

You did real good. I don't think it will take long for a new decision. IMO, the DRO process moves faster than the RO's. Best of luck! ~Wings

P.S. Can a vet request a copy of that "transcript"?

USAF 1980-1986, 70% SC PTSD, 100% TDIU (P&T)

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P.S. Can a vet request a copy of that "transcript"?

Yes - coming out of St. Pete RO - my DRO transcripts usually take

between 4-8 months to get to me in the mail.

I request my own copy in writing at the hearing itself.

Carlie passed away in November 2015 she is missed.

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