ptsd Sending Hubby For Tbi Testing

[Deltawife]

Hello,

I haven't been on the Hadit site in quite a while because we've been playing the waiting game. My husband sent in a claim for an Increase for PTSD after our neighbor was shot and killed in May of 2010. He finally called the VARO today and was told they are sending him for TBI testing and another test on his hearing. (He already received hearing aids about a year ago, but no compensation)

Since he did NOT apply for TBI, does this mean they are FINALLY actually looking at his records and the fact that he was shot down 3 times? He is a Viet Nam Veteran and was in Special Forces. He's never been compensated for his wounds. He has shrapnel in his bones, but the Ortho doc said "it shouldn't hurt because it's in the bone". IMHO I'm thinking they are really honestly looking at his records.

Should we NOT get our hopes up, or does it sound like they are doing something.

Thank you so much.

Blessings and Happy Holidays

[carlie]

What is he currently SC'd for and at what percentage evaluation levels

for each ?

[Deltawife]

What is he currently SC'd for and at what percentage evaluation levels

for each ?

He is currently at 60%, 50% PTSD and 10% tinnitus.

[Berta]

There is information here as to scar ratings that he should look into and claim the schrapnel scars ,if they fall into a ratable category) as well as any residuals from the schrapnel.

The Schedule of Ratings, under the Diagnostic Code link to the right has the scar info as to ratings.

"He has shrapnel in his bones, but the Ortho doc said "it shouldn't hurt because it's in the bone". What about any muscular invovlement ???

"IMHO I'm thinking they are really honestly looking at his records."

It is good that he is getting TBI testing but unusual since he didn't apply for TBI comp. ???

I learned not to depend too much on what the VA says when they call or respond to an IRIS.

[Deltawife]

Berta,

I thought it was unusual too, since he didn't apply. His first award was given from an advocates office and based on interviews with Gary back in 2001 (after 9/11), and ONLY Interviews. He did not actually see anyone at the VA at all until the advocates put the PTSD and tinnitus claim in for him. Now he goes regularly to see his PCP and Psychiatrist.

He did have an IMO and she did say he was "unemployable". I think maybe they gave him his first rating by glancing and verifying that he was in Special Forces, did two tours, and had purple hearts.....period.

You would NOT believe (yes you would) the BS he has gone through in the last 10 years with his reps. He did NOT even know that he could apply for an increase or anything! He would come home so frustrated (as well as many others I'm sure). I started going with him, doing research on this wonderful site and have learned so much. NOT enough, but enough to understand a little bit more than he does. He just about "shuts down" when it comes to dealing with all of this. One of his reps put in that he had Prostate Cancer and Diabetes JUST to get their attention.....he does not have those (thank GOD). I wrote a long SOC and it appears that they have really paid attention to it and are treating what I put on there as a claim.

Thank you so much to ALL of you for your help!

[Deltawife]

There is information here as to scar ratings that he should look into and claim the schrapnel scars ,if they fall into a ratable category) as well as any residuals from the schrapnel.

The Schedule of Ratings, under the Diagnostic Code link to the right has the scar info as to ratings.

"He has shrapnel in his bones, but the Ortho doc said "it shouldn't hurt because it's in the bone". What about any muscular invovlement ???

"IMHO I'm thinking they are really honestly looking at his records."

It is good that he is getting TBI testing but unusual since he didn't apply for TBI comp. ???

I learned not to depend too much on what the VA says when they call or respond to an IRIS.

I learned not to depend too much on what the VA says when they call or respond to an IRIS.

Berta, he called the VARO directly to see where his claim stood, because it's been 16 months since he applied. We are not set up on IRIS or eBenefits because you have to be enrolled in DEERS first....and we cannot get them on the phone to enroll him nor do we have the money to make a 5 hr drive to the VARO.

[carlie]

I learned not to depend too much on what the VA says when they call or respond to an IRIS.

Berta, he called the VARO directly to see where his claim stood, because it's been 16 months since he applied. We are not set up on IRIS or eBenefits because you have to be enrolled in DEERS first....and we cannot get them on the phone to enroll him nor do we have the money to make a 5 hr drive to the VARO.

https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal?_nfpb=true&_nfxr=false&_pageLabel=RegistrationOverview

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