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Stessor Verification Without Jsrrc?

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SigBnSoldier

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This is my first post in hadit, but I've been reading for nearly a year, thank you for your wisdom!

I've faced a lot of criticism for having a non combat ptsd claim on a different site, so I'll briefly qualify my circumstances in order to get help.

I was stationed in Germany, 1990-1992. During a field exercise, at night, while in uniform, there was a large explosion near my AO at the training area, it was a German civilian transport truck and a small passenger car that had wrecked and caught fire on the nearby autobahn. I along with several other soldiers rushed to the scene and rescued the driver of the truck, and tried unsuccessfully to pull out his passenger before it went up in flames. The passenger didn't make it, and I can't forget the scene and the hopelessness of standing by...

Within a few weeks I started experiencing nightmares, anxiety, panic attacks. I was under the naive assumption that PTSD was only for combat veterans until about a year ago, when I was at the VA clinic in my town to see the mental health. The Psch diagnosed me with PTSD non combat, and encouraged me to file a claim.

To digress, I was diagnosed bipolar at the VA in 2002 also with a previous history of suicide attempts a year and a half after discharge. I was discharged (ETS) honorably in 1996. First suicide attempt was 18 months after. I have many similar diagnosis of bipolar, one of "reaction psychosis", and a depression diagnosis all through VA and inpatient for bipolar/suicidal ideation. I was awarded SSDI in 2003.

Having filled you in, here are my questions-

Do these many diagnosis other than PTSD, after discharge, completely negate this new diagnosis of PTSD?

Second question, I have had a heck of a time gathering proof of my stressor. So far I've submitted a German newspaper article and two eyewitness buddy statements, as well as two family statements and all my post discharge medical history. I've written to the JSRRC, they claim no record of my Signal Battalion in Germany was ever turned in. My brigade and battalion were inactivated in 2007. I have ran into dead ends in finding unit reports of the incident. Can anyone point me in the right direction as to where to search for S-3 reports or Staff Duty journals, so that I can send the VA further proof of my stressor?

Thank you for reading my thread and for your help!

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I think that the bipolar is co-morbid with the PTSD which just makes both conditions worse. I think you will get your PTSD rating. The C&P exam doctor says it is possible to separate bipolar from the ptsd.

Thank you for the reply john999!

So, is that the key, when they can seperate the two conditions? At first I thought he connected the bipolar to the stressor event until I looked up the difference between the word "exacerbated" and "aggravated" and then I realized the rater probably will say the PTSD only temporarily aggravated it.

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Yesterday my claim moved to Review of Evidence, it's 15 months old.

My family could use some financial relief, but most of all I could use the psych medical care. I've had to lay off going to see my VA doc because my copays and medications have added up to over $600 which the VA keeps taking from my SSDI every few months.

We've got our fingers crossed.

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Gee....... that is concerning......about the meds and the therapy........

I agree with the others here.

If PTSD excerbates a separate MH or Physical disability, then I see no problems here at all with a proper PTSD rating.

Hang in there........and it might be good idea to see the psych doc and tell him/her of your co pay problems.

Did the C & P doctor find you capable of handling your financial affairs?

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I still go every 2-3 months, and have a phone appointment once amonth, but think I should be more therapy than that, anxiety gets the best of me most days.

Yes, the c&p doc said I was capable, also stated I require ongoing medication and should start individual as well as group therapy, but I can't afford that until I get rated, God willing.

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Would somebody be able to tell me if this basically gives a good chance that the C&P examiner service connects my bipolar to my PTSD-

8. Remarks, if any:

The veteran reports serving in the Army. He indicates he served a total of 65 months. The period(s) of service were from October 10, 1989 to March 18, 1996. He was in service during Gulf War.

The multiple Axis 1 diagnoses are related and the secondary diagnosis is a progression of the primary diagnosis because the claimant used alchohol to self medicate in an attempt to cope with symptoms of PTSD. The Bipolar Disorder was exacerbated by the traumatic event and subsequent PTSD.

Based upon the examination, the claimant needs to seek follow up treatment. The claimant requires ongoing medication as well as participation in individual and group psychotherapy. This information was conveyed to the claimant during the examination. The claimant does not appear to pose any threat of danger or injury to self or others.

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