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]

These are all very good thoughts. Will call service rep on Monday with SSGT's name and approx date.

I haven't seen any pro/con info in my SRB... These used to be on MOL but my account doesn't work anymore. Is there another place these might be?

I mentioned before that my C-File is at the VAMC awaiting the C&P next month... If I go to Release of Information office, can they give me a copy of the C-File?

Helps alot to have someplace to bring these questions. Thanks Guys!

[john999]

I do believe you should have gotten a medical discharge. There is no mention of a personality disorder in your fitness for duty. I believe the military just discharged you as "unsuitable" to save money. I don't know that much about the reserves or NG but if your breakdown occurred on active duty your depression is service connected without a doubt. The PD discharge hurts you with the VA since they are liable to use that to attempt to deny service connection. That fitness for duty exam should be enough to get you service connection with the VA for MDD. The marines took advantage of you because you were sick. This is SOP for the military. Things have not changed that much in 40 years. If your claim is denied I would get a lawyer. Everything about the way you were treated by the military stinks.

[motomoon]

I don't know if the discharge was fair or not. I settled for it because it seemed like a break even deal considering I wasn't a very good Marine, even for a reservist... Got pregnant while on active duty but was in reserves by the time baby was born... I did two weeks active duty at my unit (baby was 3 weeks old) right before I was hospitalized for the post-partum depression but was not on active duty when I was admitted... They diagnosed bipolar w/ post-partum onset in the hospital, but the two therapists that I saw after that and also the fitness-for-duty doctor who reviewed their records disagreed and said MDD. One therapist said PTSD too.

So the claim is alittle complex... Another thing is the assault happened while on leave from MOS school and was by a soldier I knew before I even joined. Actually dated this person from age 13 to 16.... My parents found out and pressed charges against him for statutory at 14 (Army knew about this) but these were dropped and I continued seeing him for a couple more years. He wasn't a nice person and I broke up with him at 16. (this is what I meant by "childhood issues because I told the fitness-or-duty doctor about this... stupid) Anyway, we ended up being on leave at the same time during christmas and that's when the assult happened. I never used to think it as MST and still feel sometimes that it's not real MST because of the past history but when I started seeing the counselor at the VA and finally discussed it, she said it definitely was. There was a big change for me after what happened - I felt like I brought it on myself and didn't want to think about it let alone have to make statements and try to prove it. I just never went back to my hometown because even though he's still in the army, he could still be on leave anytime. I tried to forget it but just ignoring it hasn't worked too well though because the last six years have been hell and my life has turned to s***.

If this claim gets denied, I will understand why. I'm just thankful the VA offers free MST counseling regardless of service connection.

[usmcgirl]

Yes they can give you a copy of your C-File. also at yor C&P make sure the examiner has read your C-File. - ASK them if he/she has. and make a note of what they say. I believe you got screwed like John is saying. I did on my PEB and am fighting that one.You should also. So you were diagnosed with MDD and not a personality disorder which would have been in axis II. I bolded the things that are going to help your VA claim. Do you have a copy of your ENTIRE medical records from the corps? that includes all of the clinic visits and all of that not just hospitalizations? if not fill out form VA 3288(google it) along with requesting your c-file request all of the info, your medical records ect via the freedom of information act (FOIA) at the bottom of the form. that way you can see exactly what they have on you and when and if you need to file a notice of disagreement (NOD) or appeal the rating or get a lawyer - you already have all this info.

i am not sure if you kept copies of all of your orders in a I love me book or anything but when you graduated MOS school there should have been a paper with all of your final PFT scores, Pro/con, and class marks. if worse comes to worse call up someone in admin and tell them to go into MCTIF's and look up your pro/con marks. Which is used anyways to put together your seps package. they have all of your procon marks and everything about you in there as far as numbers go. I worked in disbursing. I know what is in there. unless a new MCO came out that I haven't read you should still be in there.

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

These are all very good thoughts. Will call service rep on Monday with SSGT's name and approx date.

I haven't seen any pro/con info in my SRB... These used to be on MOL but my account doesn't work anymore. Is there another place these might be?

I mentioned before that my C-File is at the VAMC awaiting the C&P next month... If I go to Release of Information office, can they give me a copy of the C-File?

Helps alot to have someplace to bring these questions. Thanks Guys!

Edited November 27, 2011 by usmcgirl

[motomoon]

Have an appt at the VAMC on Tuesday and will request the C-File. Gonna keep fingers crossed for claim and keep going for treatment which is the most important thing right now. Thanks for taking the time to answer all these questions.

[sharon]

Your claim was flagged because it is a Military Sexual Trauma claim. They are tracked by Central Office in DC.