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.

[carlie]

Carlie, I know I may or may not get SC'd for PTSD, but since I am under treatment for the same I still wonder how that will affect my clearance application.

Are you saying since I do not have a disability rating for PTSD at the present time, the guidance given for disclosing PTSD regarding a security clearance does not apply to me and I need to disclose my record of mental health counseling for a security application.

Even if I get a rating for PTSD, it is the combat related part of the exemption I wonder about on a clearance application.

If I didn't disclose I had mental health treatment on my security application and then I was later rated for PTSD, will that be a trigger for all to know and/or inquire about me?

I have been very private about my struggles and really don't want anyone knowing my business, especially since people get so nosey about disabilities.

I still feel shame when I even have to mention PTSD due to MST.

I don't want people to know what happened to me, let alone ask me questions about it or feel pity on me.

lp,

Sorry for the delay - I'm just reading this updated post now.

I have absolutely no idea on how having PTSD would effect your security clearance.

Perhaps you can find a web site on it with the company you work for and read the requirements

set out by them.

IMO - having a SC'd disability rating for PTSD would not be a trigger of anything.

The only thing I can think is that if the security clearance application asks any questions

about mental health / treatment, etc. . . I don't know how you would answer it.

1) If you are not truthful and they find out (they will) then they will see you as providing false information

on the application and that wouldn't be good.

2) Be truthful - and then they know.

I really don't know what to say on this.

I did not know prior to this post that this was an issue for you.

Another thing is - shouldn't this be covered by HIPPA regulations ?

You posted,

"if I get a rating for PTSD, it is the combat related part of the exemption I wonder about on a clearance application."

and

"I still feel shame when I even have to mention PTSD due to MST."

I have never heard anything about an "exemption" for this due to PTSD from "combat".

Do you have any link referring to this ?

IMO - IF there is a need to tell ANYONE that I am diagnosed with PTSD -

I don't have to tell them why and / or discuss MST.

[lp56]

lp,

Sorry for the delay - I'm just reading this updated post now.

I have absolutely no idea on how having PTSD would effect your security clearance.

Perhaps you can find a web site on it with the company you work for and read the requirements

set out by them.

IMO - having a SC'd disability rating for PTSD would not be a trigger of anything.

The only thing I can think is that if the security clearance application asks any questions

about mental health / treatment, etc. . . I don't know how you would answer it.

1) If you are not truthful and they find out (they will) then they will see you as providing false information

on the application and that wouldn't be good.

2) Be truthful - and then they know.

I really don't know what to say on this.

I did not know prior to this post that this was an issue for you.

Another thing is - shouldn't this be covered by HIPPA regulations ?

You posted,

"if I get a rating for PTSD, it is the combat related part of the exemption I wonder about on a clearance application."

and

"I still feel shame when I even have to mention PTSD due to MST."

I have never heard anything about an "exemption" for this due to PTSD from "combat".

Do you have any link referring to this ?

IMO - IF there is a need to tell ANYONE that I am diagnosed with PTSD -

I don't have to tell them why and / or discuss MST.

No problem Carlie. I just appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions at all. The link below talks about SF 86, question 21. The quoted text comes from the article about clearances and the exclusions about reporting treatment related to adjustments from service in a military combat environment.

"The OPM conducts the background investigations on Army personnel seeking a security clearance. The OPM ensures that investigations are conducted in a manner compliant with the revised Q21, which excludes the reporting of treatment related to adjustments from service in a military combat environment, such as post traumatic stress disorder, known as PTSD, or mild traumatic brain injury."

http://www.army.mil/article/24053/financial-problems-or-ptsd-need-not-affect-security-clearance/

I just can't stand the thought of someone going thru my medical records to determine if I am eligible for a clearance. I have discussed such agognizing personal feelings with my therapist. I told my therapist things I had never revealed to anyone, including thoughts I shouldn't have had.

My 2nd C&P exam is coming up on Tuesday. I am getting mentally ready for it. I guess I shouldnt worry about the clearance issue unless I get a job offer.

Thanks for your help!

[carlie]

No problem Carlie. I just appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions at all. The link below talks about SF 86, question 21. The quoted text comes from the article about clearances and the exclusions about reporting treatment related to adjustments from service in a military combat environment.

"The OPM conducts the background investigations on Army personnel seeking a security clearance. The OPM ensures that investigations are conducted in a manner compliant with the revised Q21, which excludes the reporting of treatment related to adjustments from service in a military combat environment, such as post traumatic stress disorder, known as PTSD, or mild traumatic brain injury."

http://www.army.mil/...rity-clearance/

I just can't stand the thought of someone going thru my medical records to determine if I am eligible for a clearance. I have discussed such agognizing personal feelings with my therapist. I told my therapist things I had never revealed to anyone, including thoughts I shouldn't have had.

My 2nd C&P exam is coming up on Tuesday. I am getting mentally ready for it. I guess I shouldnt worry about the clearance issue unless I get a job offer.

Thanks for your help!

Are you still active duty Army ?

Yes, I would try not to worry about it now either.

I would discuss these concerns with my therapist and see if they have any suggestions.

[lp56]

Are you still active duty Army ?

Yes, I would try not to worry about it now either.

I would discuss these concerns with my therapist and see if they have any suggestions.

No I am not on active duty Carlie, but I believe civilians go through the same security clearance process as the military does. I will ask my therapist what her experience has been with others accessing counseling records for security clearance purposes. Depending on the particular counseling session, I could have been homicidal or suicidal that day. I will also heed the advice of not disclosing reasons for my PTSD whether it is adjudicated by the VBA or not. Personally, I would never ask anyone what caused their PTSD, but that is just me. Thanks Carlie.

[11cvolley]

No I am not on active duty Carlie, but I believe civilians go through the same security clearance process as the military does. I will ask my therapist what her experience has been with others accessing counseling records for security clearance purposes. Depending on the particular counseling session, I could have been homicidal or suicidal that day. I will also heed the advice of not disclosing reasons for my PTSD whether it is adjudicated by the VBA or not. Personally, I would never ask anyone what caused their PTSD, but that is just me. Thanks Carlie.

If applying for a job they will get a hold of your medication list one way or another. Just for an ID to get on and off base to utilize the PX PTSD will not hold you up as long as you carry a valid drivers license and insurance.

[lp56]

I have my 2nd C&P exam tomorrow. It will be with a female doctor, but that is not much consolation since my 1st exam was with female also. Concerned exam is so late in the day (4:30 pm). Worried I will be rushed through at that time of day. Will stay focused on active duty service stressors and not be led to discuss major stressor with ex 20 years after service.

Been reading up about PTSD and security clearances and know that just like this disability process, the truth will speak for itself. Read that it is very unlikely to be denied clearance for seeking MH counseling. Suppose to be sign of strength to seek counseling, rather than try to ignore or cope alone.

Thanks for all the help and support. I know this is not over, but I feel so much better prepared, so much stronger and so much more hopeful in facing this 2nd exam tomorrow.