ptsd Ptsd/mst Denial

[lp56]

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.

[john999]

Ip56

Get a lawyer as others have suggested. These issues need to be viewed by someone who has much experience with the whole syndrome of MST. There have been other claims here that seemed totally far fetched at first, but proved to be true. The VA is always going to be suspicious and hostile to claims that are not right out of the MST/PTSD case book.

[lp56]

I sent in a request for a DRO hearing on October 26th and have already gotten two responses back from the Regional Office. The first said they received my information and the second has invited me to an informal hearing on December 20, 2011. The letter said I could have my VSO with me and the hearing would last an hour. The Veteran's of Foreign War is my original VSO and helped me with my paperwork, but I am not sure they know me well enough to represent me.

Does anyone know what happens at the hearing and what I should prepare for? I am quite nervous about the hearing, especially recounting all the MST experiences. Any advice???? I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who can give me some good advice on how to best prepare for a DRO hearing.

[NSA-Saigon-ET]

By now you should have prepared your responses to the reasons for the denial of benefits.

The DRO hearing is a very relaxed affair and nothing to be afraid to attend. The DRO will lead the meeting and may ask you questions concerning your claim and or evidence. You have the opportunity to just speak your view concerning your claims. The VSO is there to help you make sure you present all the info available that can help your claim.

This is just my opinion, but if you did your homework then you will do fine.

Here are a couple of my prepared statements I used for my DRO hearing. They were 100% successful.

I did not use ny VSO for my DRO hearing.

Right foot Shrapnel-10% + 10%-final.pdf

PTSD Local appeal-ok for publish.pdf

Good Luck!

NSA-Saigon-ET

[lp56]

Thank you very much for your feedback. I am not as concerned about presenting my evidence as I am concerned about getting too emotional when I do. I can hardly talk about everything that happened to me without a lot of difficulty. Much of my evidence is from current psych records, journals I kept and buddy letters. I am almost relieved that the DRO wants an informal hearing so they can hear the evidence from me, rather than rely on a brief C&P exam. Hopefully, the DRO assigned to my case will be sensitive and have some experience and training with victims of MST.

By now you should have prepared your responses to the reasons for the denial of benefits.

The DRO hearing is a very relaxed affair and nothing to be afraid to attend. The DRO will lead the meeting and may ask you questions concerning your claim and or evidence. You have the opportunity to just speak your view concerning your claims. The VSO is there to help you make sure you present all the info available that can help your claim.

This is just my opinion, but if you did your homework then you will do fine.

Here are a couple of my prepared statements I used for my DRO hearing. They were 100% successful.

I did not use ny VSO for my DRO hearing.

Right foot Shrapnel-10% + 10%-final.pdf

PTSD Local appeal-ok for publish.pdf

Good Luck!

NSA-Saigon-ET

[usmcgirl]

I was reading your threads. I understand a lot of what you are going through as I have an MST case also. For the DRO - check the postings on here and see how the others have prepared their hearings also. You will need to get your thoughts together on what you disagreed with and write them down along with all of your points and evidence that you have so they are organized, flowing and not all over the place - go over them with your VFW if you are bringing them. Also keep reaching out to members here to help you. You are not alone.

[carlie]

Ip56,

Pull out your rating decision that denied PTSD and post exactly what and all,

that is stated in the Reasons and Bases Section.