ptsd Devastated, Worried.... Ptsd/all Denied.

[midnight340]

I don't even know where to begin. I'm shaking, and avoiding my emotional response as much as possible. I wanted to get some of this down before whatever happens next.

My case decided on Jan 27, and closed two days ago. One year (with last three months flagged for hardship), Today an American Legion person at my VARO was able to read my letter and tells me my PTSD and all other claims were denied. I am 65, so pension was awarded at $311/mo on top of my $702 social security check.

My initial claim went in with PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and a string of other claims. I have seen three VA psychiatrists, all of whom confirm PTSD. My C&P says PTSD is "severe and chronic" and "not likely to improve" and that I am "unable to work." My GAF score was 42. The VA added TDIU to my claim.

Everything was denied because they say I was assigned to the FDR (aircraft carrier) operating off the East Coast at the time of the major stressor in California. (We flew back and forth to the carrier) The records show that I was assigned to the carrier as my photo recon squadron was assigned to the ship, but home base was NAS Miramar in California where my major stressor happened. (I was present when a fighter crashed into a hangar, with 11 deaths, 26 to burn unit, etc.)

I had three other stressors while working the flight deck on the carrier, all of which my C&P says meet stressor standards. These were denied because I have no medical records from the time showing I experienced this. (Am I alone in not going to sick bay when someone got killed? This was 1970! ) I wrote careful and extended accounts of all stressors with notes on the impact on my life. I was very detailed and careful.

I am fortunate to have the best relationship ever in my life, and to have had support through all this, but financial stresses have been extreme with bankruptcy and foreclosure. I don't know if this is survivable.

The American Legion person at my VARO says I or they need to find flight logs from my squadron showing my being at Miramar at the time. I don't know if this is possible.

I don't know that anyone can help. But I needed to write this down.

Edited February 10, 2012 by midnight340

[Hoppy]

Where did the VA get their information. Did they site a source. The information I am finding says the crash was in Dec. 1969 and VFP-63 did not deploy until Jan. 1970. Are they saying the entire squadron when on a shake down cruise in Dec of 69?

[midnight340]

First, let me say that I am grateful for the $311 pension, that of course helps make it through this.

Second, Hoppy, you are correct, but since I do not yet have the letter I can't speak to sources they used. I personally think it is a sloppy mistake. We did deploy Aug-Sep of f 1969 for training, then came back to Miramar and deployed again Jan2-July27 of 1970.

At this point I have my official History of Assignments putting me with VFP-63. I have rounded up deployment dates for CV-42 (the carrier FDR) showing the above dates (but nothing official, just internet research on the carrier.) Clearly the squadron returns to home base when the carrier is in port. How to prove this, I am not sure. (There should be records, but if anyone could, the VA would be able to lose an aircraft carrier!)

I found a military buddy-search site and one member of VFP-63 was listed, I emailed him, and he emailed me right back saying he had collected information, and had names of guys in the squadron a year later. I may recognize names if he sends a list. He was not on my deployment, so don't know where that will lead.

boomer2, thanks for the reminder.

[mysticcherokee usn vet]

paper trail anywhere....ATM withdrawals there for christmas purchases, that would be on a bank statement? M.

ER Visit, Mail/packages delivered addressed there, pobox?

Edited February 11, 2012 by mysticcherokee usn vet

[steve&pat]

I had left before the crash in our hangar- got an early out after coming back from the med cruise late 1970s.I think I have a list of people on detachment on the roosevelt. On the shakedown out of mayport around cuba and the islands they lost a few planes-- not from our squadron tho. I think it was in the paper-the pilot couldnnt control the plane- he ejected and the plane went unmanned into the hangar and all hell broke out.

Ill look for my list of crew members. Was there a black Chief George in your detachment. I was ADJ-3 at the time

I think I finaly got all my NARA info on the 3rd request- that had the detachment members.

I will see if I can find it.

LATER STEVE

[midnight340]

steve&pat, thank you for your response. Anything that you can come up with could help. I do have basic information on the crash and why it happened, but more is better.

Yes, I remember Chief George!! Had forgotten about him. Any crew/squadron lists would be much appreciated.

We lost a lot of planes and personnel (all squadrons) counting both deployments (Cuba and Med together)

Again, any info would help, thanks.

Mystic, I'm still thinking about all that. Long time ago, and a lot of moves so I didn't keep much.

[mysticcherokee usn vet]

Steve and Pat I went in the Navy in 1979, technically 78. This thread here belongs to the Miramar survivor, and Ill bet sharing that 411 offered to moi with them would make all the difference in the world. I too am trying to help them figure ways to establish "presence" there if nothing else, so thats why I've suggested a couple different things. Thank you for tryin to help a Vet in need indeed! Bottom heart! Salute! Mystic