ptsd Ptsd Claim Letter

[Whirly Bird]

Hi all. I'm filing a claim for ptsd and my wife wrote the following letter to submit. Please take a look at it and let me know if I'm missing anything. I have a ptsd diagnosis, verified combat award, and notes from the va psych linking them together. Do I need anything else?

thanks,

To whom it may concern,

I am filing a claim for service connection of PTSD.

I have been diagnosed to have combat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by a VA Psychologist, and I am currently undergoing treatment for the disorder at the VA Medical Center. The VA Psychologist has linked my PTSD to my combat related stressors.

I served in combat as a Marine Helicopter Machine Gunner, and was awarded the Combat Aircrew Insignia with 3 bronze stars. I was also awarded the Air Medal with 2 Strike Flight Awards for these missions.

My original DD-214 did not have the Combat Aircrew Insignia listed on it when I was discharged, so I contacted the Navy Personnel Command Retired Records Section and requested that the Combat Aircrew Insignia be added to my DD-214.

I recently received a corrected DD-215 that has the Combat Aircrew Insignia with 3 Bronze Stars added to my record. I have attached a copy of it as evidence for my claim.

I have also attached a copy of M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.D.13.e, which states that my award of the Combat Aircrew Insignia qualifies as proof of my combat experience.

I have also attached a copy of M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.D.13.f, which states that If a Veteran received one of the combat decorations cited in “e”, but does not expressly state the nature of the stressor, the VA should assume that the stressor is combat-related.

I have been having nightmares & panic attacks 3 to 4 times a week for years since returning from the war. I can’t stand to be in crowds of people. Before the war, I was very outgoing and had many friends, but I now have very few, if any “real” friends (besides my buddies that were over there with me), and I stay at home most of the time when I’m not at work and avoid all social events. I have trouble getting along with others at home and at work. I am always on alert, always... I constantly have this weird feeling that something bad is going to happen, even though I know that it isn’t rational to think this way. This disorder has severely affected my social and work life.

Thank you,

xxxx

Edited October 23, 2012 by Whirly Bird

[Whirly Bird]

Hi All.

Just wanted to give an update. I received notice that I will be having my PTSD C&P exam on January 15th. It will be a video conference, not in person, which is gonna be really weird I think, I don't know, maybe it will be better than being with the doc in person.... I'm just glad to hear that it is scheduled, one step closer to the end of this... It got so bad at work that they have allowed me to work from home full time (computer job), just to get me out of the office and away from everybody there. I wish I could quit working so bad, but I can't afford to quit and I know that it is killin me inside, but between a rock an hardpalce.

any words of advice?

Edited December 26, 2013 by Whirly Bird

[john999]

Be prepared to possibly describe your stressor and flashbacks that involve the stressor. If the shrink asks you about your stressor describe it in detail. Your reaction will probably impact the shrink's indication of severity. If you feel like crying let it all go. Don't hold anything back. Don't hold back on describing your symptoms either.

John

[Navy04]

Wir,

Tell the VA which VA medical centers have been helping you, what medications you are on, side effects of meds, how many years you have been suffering, and tell them that you have severe Panic Attacks, Nightmares, and Anxiety more than 20 days a month. It makes everything sound debilitating in their terms of severity. Tell the VA, you have no friends or public interaction. You do not leave your home other than for work and medical appointments, and you avoid public interaction. You are easily startled by sudden sounds and have flashbacks to combat, with increased anxiety. You do not work well with others and difficult to follow routine instructions in work environment. You have a constant feeling that you are being watched and people are out to cause harm to you. Don't say anything about being Rational. We are all rational people, but in VA terms you are saying that you Control your PTSD and will be cured one day. Then finish with this Diagnosed Mental condition affects all aspects of my personal and professional life with no improvement in the near future. God Bless bud and I hope this works for you. I have helped a lot of buds with these letters. One wrong word in a Letter and the VA will use it against you. Keep us up to date

[Whirly Bird]

John and Navy, I appreciate the advice. Its taken 14 months just to get to the C&P stage, I hope to God it wont take another year or more to get a final decision on all of this.

Forgot to mention earler that I also filed a claim for "Unspecified Sleep Disorder" as secondary to PTSD by way of aggravation, as well as under the Gulf War 3.317 regs. I was tested for sleep apnea, and don't have it, but was diagnosed with a sleep disorder of unkown etology, and prescribed a CPAP. I have a C&P for it the same day as the PTSD C&P.

Edited December 27, 2013 by Whirly Bird

[Whirly Bird]

Hey everybody! Well, I made it through the c&p exam. Started havin a panic attack right at the first, but the doc got me calmed down. Nice guy, one of the best docs I've ever delt with for sure. He asked why I was so anxious, and I told him because I knew that I was gonna have to re-hash all of my stressors again....That's when he said, NO, we don't have to go thru that part because you have verified combat awards in your record, a diagnosis from your VA shrink, and evidence that links the two together. He said you WILL be service connected based on those facts alone, so all we have to do is figure out how bad the PTSD affects your work and social life......

Well, that was a huge relief and I started calming down after that. We went thru everything (1.5 hrs) from my childhood, thru the military, and to today. It went very well and I have high hopes (first time in quite a while).

As soon as his C&P notes hit ebenefits, I'll post them here and maybe some of you guys can take a look at them and give me a ballpark idea as what to expect....?

Thanks!

Edited January 15, 2014 by Whirly Bird

[Navy04]

Great news bud, I had my SSDI Mental Health exam on Monday. I was so nervous, but it actually went well. Good luck and keep us up to date