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

[midnight340]

I'm fairly new at this, don't know what the JSRRC is.... I do know what it stands for, but don't know what they do...

Steve, I got the email from Pat. Thanks for all your efforts!!

Mystic, thank you for cheering us on in this!!!

I promise if I make it through this and win this, that I will be here for other vets!!! You guys are all great.

[VetsLady]

I just read this thread from the beginning, I have chills .... wow, amazing the powers that be.

[Stretch]

I remember hearing about that also. One of my stressors was a P-3, from Miramar, crashing at NAS Lemoore Mar 6, 1969. I watched the crew burn before anything could be done, the entire crew died (7). It was almost the worst thing I ever saw.

The P-3 was with a squadron, think VP-31

The Navy's official report was different from what I witnessed.

If you know the name of the squadron, you might be able to find their memorial plaque or page. Good luck.

My squadron was in many different places while aboard the Sarratoga. You need history of your squadron.

[steve&pat]

midnight340

Yes- for the fdr cva 42 you can go to there sight http://ussfranklindroosevelt.com/ and click on crew roster at the top of the page and you will find our squadron VFP 63 listed -names and etc.JUST select the right year DET

There are also a lot of pictures.even our planes. A lot of info in there .More researching.

You may have to type the address into your browser.

PAT & STEVE

[midnight340]

I just posted an update on the other thread... maybe should have done so here. I don't know how to combine threads, since this has been going longest I will post here from now on.

"Update as of this morning:

(Overview: Due to VA assessment of PTSD severity and C&P statement that I cannot work, they have given me the NSC pension with a 70% non-SC rating. With the info they had, they decided that I was not at the location of my major listed stressor. Thanks to steve&pat magically coming up with a copy of my detachments TAD orders showing me at Miramar not then aboard the FDR I will be able to reasonably prove my location I believe.)

I talked with my American Legion person at my VARO this moring. She says that the proper thing to do now is to file a

"Reconsideration due to New Evidence." I assume there is a form for this. What experience have people here at hadit had with the Reconsideration requests?

She told me that once I do this that I could expect it to take 6-8 months. Is this approximately correct? Do you agree that this is the right path to take??"

[midnight340]

I am so grateful for all the help here!! I can't imagine getting the denial and sitting here at home crushed and not having this support.

Stretch, sorry you had to go through that... I certainly understand. Steve&Pat, I had not found the CVA 42 site, so thank you for that (by now I owe you guys so much!!!!!!!)