ptsd Ptsd Cannot Verify Stressor

[wifeofvet]

Forgive my ignorance here. I'm still learning. My husband is being treated for PTSD/Depression thru VA psychiatrist. He is on SSDI for anxiety disorder. But I'm afraid he cannot prove his stressor. He doesn't have any combat medals or ribbons. He did serve in a combat zone. We did manage to get a newspaper article on the supposed attack (the stressor) and a buddy letter but I'm told that it's not good enough. I realize now that we should have put in a claim for Depression the same time we put in for PTSD. Can he put in another claim for PTSD and Depression or put in a new claim for depression? We haven't gotten a response on the PTSD claim yet but without a stressor, we are not looking at an approval. What sort of evidence would we need for a depression claim?

[scscrewed]

The attack wasn't a part of war games. The attack was an anticipated attack that he was on guard tower duty for, and prepared for, but the attack never came. Or, at least, that's my understanding. And I don't think the VA has said no yet, but Wife is concerned about the proof of the in service stressor.

[Berta]

You are right- I got stuck on the PLDC school part and the "qualification requirements" the VA said he didn't meet.

I apologize again for that.

"Wife is concerned about the proof of the in service stressor."

I would be concerned as well due to their questioning his qualifying requirments? whatever they mean by that????

[wifeofvet]

"Would they take into concideration that he was diagnosed with Acute Stress Disorder while in PLDC school? According to his VA dr's, this is the beginning stages of PTSD"

With proof of

that documentation in his SMRs now I believe you would not even need to write to JSRRC.

I am assuming you mean by PLDC, Primary Leadership Development Course, as part of his NCO training?

My husband was promoted from E-4 to E-5 while in Iraq. His brigade was pushing the PLDC school because of the promotion.

This would also indicate to me he had a stressor documented in service that preceded the 'attack' as it first appeared to me that you were refering to a war game as part of NCO training- so I apologise for my error-

and now I am even more concerned that VA questioned his stressor while he was in PLDC

Which prompted the inservice diagnosis of PTSD.

Can you scan and post this letter here (as an attachment?) Cover all of his personal identifying information)

"We received a letter for VA saying that the evidence does not show that he meets all of the qualifications requirements and we need to submit new evidence."

I have never seen the phrase "qualificiation requirements" before used by the VA for a combat veteran and I assume this is a VCAA letter?

Sorry they didn't use the word "qualification requirements" they used the word requirements. I have attached that part of the VA . Let me give you some back ground info... We had applied for PTSD and was denied in 2010. Since then my husband shared this stressor and we were so sure that he met all the qualifications under the new law. My husband served in a combat zone however he doesn't have a combat mos or any combat awards. Sorry not sure how to attach the letter to this entry.

[scscrewed]

If the military doctor diagnosed him with PTSD can the VA counter it? I don't know if the military doc diagnosed it or not.

[wifeofvet]

Wifeofvet, thanks for standing by your hubby and working so hard to help him. You're a superhero in disguise.

As to your question, if the attack was planned, the unit would have been preparing for it. This intensified prep should be part of the morning reports. Is getting ready, expecting the attack your husband's only stressor? Is it possible that something else happened that he hasn't shared with you yet? The diagnoses he has sound like he should be SC'd PTSD, but maybe he hasn't experienced the big BANG that they want. It could be the daily, hourly, non-stop grind of stress and fear that's made him ill. PTSD is not the only diagnosis that could give him SC - Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder are service connectable as well. PTSD gets all the press, but it's not the only jar on the shelf.

Good luck, dear lady, and take care of yourself, okay?

Thank you Hedgey. He does have a VAMC Psychiatrist diagnosis for PTSD/Depression. I know I should have put in a depression claim in the same time as we put in for PTSD. A few questions for you: Is depression an Anxiety disorder? He is on SSDI for anxiety disorder. What kind of evidence is needed to open a depression claim. Please keep in mind we are missing a good strong stressor. He served in a combat zone but doesn't have a combat mos or combat medals or ribbons.

[Berta]

I dont see how VA could possible question an inservice diagnosis pf PTSD.

I asked the wife about his discharge because I thought maybe he got a medical at that point but now- if I am getting this correctly, after this PTSD inservice diagnosis during NSO school,

he was then at some point in combat where he feared hostile activity because of a pending attack.

Wifeofvet stated this:

"Would they take into concideration that he was diagnosed with Acute Stress Disorder while in PLDC school? According to his VA dr's, this is the beginning stages of PTSD. He was diagnosed with PTSD 5 months later and has been on meds ever since."

But in the confines of the internet,it is often very difficult for us to really be able to opine on statements like that without more documented information.

scscrewed said:"I don't know if the military doc diagnosed it or not."

Neither do I and wifeofvet needs to give us more information on that and if it is actually within his SMRs.