ptsd Stresser Evidence Ptsd - Mst

[motomoon]

Hi, this is my first post ever and I have a question, but here is some background info:

I received a general under honorable discharge for MMD in 2008 and filed a claim for PTSD / MST & Depression this July. I have depression and a hospitalization for severe post-partum depression (The baby was born 13 months after the assault but is my husband's) documented in my service treatment records but unfortunately did not report my MST. I've been going for counseling at the VAMC, am diagnosed with PTSD due to MST and MDD and have just started PET.

I didn't do or submit anything for my claim until last week when they called to schedule a C&P exam. I'm pretty stressed because the process has moved so quickly (I know many vets wait forever and it's a silly thing to be stressed about) So I went down to the DAV and was assigned a service rep... I gave him a statement I wrote (think it's called a stresser letter) and discussed my concern that the claim is this far along without me having submitted any evidence.

He looked in the computer and said my C-File has been sent to the C&P examiner and read off what sounded like a time-line of my claim:

(Dates may not be exact)

**July 21 - Claim Filed

**July 29 - Acknowledgment letter sent w/ request for more info

**Aug 15 - DD214 Received

**Oct 26 - Service Treatment Records received and Evidence of Stresser

**Nov 14 - C&P exam scheduled

So finally, here's my QUESTION:

Is there any significance to the phrase "Service Treatment Records received and Evidence of Stresser" ? Is this a good sign that they have verified my stressor or does it mean nothing?

I know my claim is with the development team right now... Is there any way to find out what evidence they might have? I didn't think there was anything in my service treatment records and have focused on gathering evidence of behavior changes. The only thing I can think of is 3 months after the assault, I requested a pregnancy test but it was not related and the record also says I requested birth control at the same time. Is it possible for the development team to flag something in my records as evidence only for the rater to look at it later and decide it's irrelevant?

Any thoughts?

Perspective here would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

[sharon]

Your service medical records should show that your mental health condition started in the military.

[john999]

Did you actually get a general discharge for MDD? You should have gotten a medical discharge if that was the only reason for your discharge or if you had that diagnosis upon discharge. Have you ever tried to get your discharge changed to a medical discharge? Was the military saying you were medically unfit for service?

[motomoon]

Thanks for the replies! Yes, I was administratively discharged (general under honorable) for MDD. Papers say reason for discharge: Personally Disorder: MDD... "The Marine has a medical condition so severe that it affects ability to function in a military environment." I was in the reserves and the MST happened while on active duty for training (MOS school) One year later, was hospitalized for severe post-partum depression... When my unit found out, I was referred for fitness for duty eval. I continued to drill for 3 years but stayed very depressed then had another baby and never lost the weight... In 2008, was referred for another fitness for duty eval and was recommended for discharge.

[usmcgirl]

you are not alone in NOT reporting an MST case in the Corps sister. As for the stressor. I would have your DAV verify what it was that they flagged. It may be the statement you wrote. If it WAS that pregnancy test for the birth of your child or if it was something else such as a pg 11 during that time frame. So yes it is possible that they flagged it for further development. Is this your inital claim from your EAS? While the VA diagnosed you with PTSD - since you didn't report the MST - you got rated for MMD/depression. the VA will only rate one mental disorder at a time. So are you claiming for PTSD as an increase for the MMD? If that is the case this is going to be a little more complicated then you might think unfortunately.

[motomoon]

I did sign a formal counseling chit when the SSGT at MOS school noticed I had gotten so depressed. It's not in my SRB though. Any idea if there is a record of this anywhere else?

Thanks again!

Edited November 25, 2011 by motomoon

[11cvolley]

You should sit down with your VSO and get together any evidences that hasn't been sent in and send it. No you can't get comp for more than one mental health issue; however, I think you should get SCed/rated for each one because you never know which one is going to get you the higher rating and which one has an easier time getting secondary conditions SCed.

If you read over my topic, I got SCed, you'll gain more faith in your claim. IDK how bad your depression is but I'd go for the PTSD secondary to personal assault.

Did you fill out the standard ptsd claim form or the one that says secondary to assault?

Did you complete and send in a stressor letter?