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.

[motomoon]

No, this is my first claim and it was just filed this July. Worried that I'm headed for a denial... It's already alittle complicated because I have childhood issues documented in my service treatment records too. I never did any counseling or diagnosed with anything before the military though and did really well in high school. Also entrance exam/paperwork is absent for any problems. I have been getting together evidence of behavior changes to submit. Also, I got pregnant while on active duty, but was in the reserves by the time the baby was born. I've been in therapy twice since then and mentioned the MST, but didn't discuss it further. I've had problems for the last six years and am just now starting to deal with it but it's really hard to talk about it.

I sent in a stressor letter and the claim is filed on the "secondary to assault" form.

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?

So my service rep can find out what it was they flagged? He told my C-File was sent to the VAMC for the C&P... If I go to the Release of Information office, will they be able to give me a copy of the C-File?

Thanks again!

[Pete53]

Welcome to Hadit. From what you have posted you should have a pretty clean claim.

Are you working? If not do you have Social Security or applied for it?

Good Luck on your claim.

[john999]

The Marines discharged you for a personality disorder which could not be Major Depressive Disorder. A personality disorder is a non-compensable condition. MDD is compensabe up to 100%. Did the VA agree that you have a personality disorder as well as MDD/PTSD? Often you have to rebutt the PD diagnosis. There must be more to the story. I know because I was discharged as a personality disorder but the VA changed that to schizophrenia. My doctor rebutted that PD diagnosis. You might even be able to get your discharge changed since it has been such a short time since you were discharged. How long did you serve? Did you get a medical evaluation before discharge and what did it say?

[motomoon]

No Social Security. I am working, but had to take a personal leave of absence from this job last year. They took me back and I am working 40hrs/wk. My husband works at the same place and drives me so that helps to make sure I get there on time. Having alot of trouble at work though and my supervisor wrote a letter detailing some of the issues. (startle response, withdrawn, ect)

I worked two other jobs since getting out for six months each. My discharge papers say personality disorder but also contain the fitness for duty doc's eval summary which only says MDD with GAF of 55 and not recommended for active duty at that time. Therefore, I was discharged for the convenience of the government from the reserves. Was on active duty 2004-2005 and drilling reserve 2005-2008. Haven't looked in to changing the discharge.

[motomoon]

Dug out the paperwork:

Memorandum: To my unit's CO

Subject: Fitness-for-Duty Evaluation for LCpl MotoMoon

1. LCpl MotoMoon was seen at the Mental Health Clinic for a voluntary psychological evaluation on 12 Feb 08 to determine fitness for duty in the USMC

2. LCpl MotoMoon is a 22-year-old reservist who was hospitalized in 2005 for both dysphoric and anxious moods. There were symptoms of paranoia and delusional thought content, as well as passive suicidal ideation. The Symptoms had occurred for over three months and increased after the birth of her first child. She was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode with Psychotic Features. LCpl MotoMoon was prescribed psychotropic medication, but discontinued shortly thereafter. She also participated in outpatient psychotherapy for several months in 2006. Presently, she continues to experience symptoms of depression. She has decreased energy and motivation her interest in activities is low and she has guilt related to her past. She described her mood as depressed and reported several interpersonal stressors that have not improved over the past year and continue to be problematic.

3. Based on my evaluation, LCpl MotoMoon has the following diagnosis:

Axis I: Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, in Partial Remission

Axis II: No Diagnosis

Axis III: No specific medical concerns

Axis IV: Occupational Problems

Axis V: Current level of functioning 55

4. LCpl MotoMoon has a psychiatric disorder which is so severe the marine's ability to function effectively in the military environment is significantly impaired (Article 15-23 of the MANMED). It is not recommended that patient transition to active duty status in the USMC.

[usmcgirl]

Moto - any kind of formal counseling is going to be in your records because it will effect your pro/con marks. that being said I would check your pro/con marks from school and comments. I wouldn't worry so much about the childhood issues. check out 11's post in the PTSD forum. I am still in the battle with mine for MST as I am much like you and never reported mine either. Also do you have any buddy statements from other Marines that could document a change in you or had knowledge of the MST? they can submit a letter, email, something on your behalf. My bad on the MMD thing. I got it confused with MDD. ..which is major depressive disorder. sorry. john had it right. Check togetherweserved.com - some of the Marines that went through MOS school with you if you need help with buddy letters. If you can't find the counseling don't worry. Make sure your VSO puts it in the remarks along with the SSgt's name that gave you the counseling and the date if you can remember. It may be on a morning report or a unit log.

No, this is my first claim and it was just filed this July. Worried that I'm headed for a denial... It's already alittle complicated because I have childhood issues documented in my service treatment records too. I never did any counseling or diagnosed with anything before the military though and did really well in high school. Also entrance exam/paperwork is absent for any problems. I have been getting together evidence of behavior changes to submit. Also, I got pregnant while on active duty, but was in the reserves by the time the baby was born. I've been in therapy twice since then and mentioned the MST, but didn't discuss it further. I've had problems for the last six years and am just now starting to deal with it but it's really hard to talk about it.

I sent in a stressor letter and the claim is filed on the "secondary to assault" form.

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?

So my service rep can find out what it was they flagged? He told my C-File was sent to the VAMC for the C&P... If I go to the Release of Information office, will they be able to give me a copy of the C-File?

Thanks again!