New Here Hoping For Some Clarification

[sullytex]

Hey y'all,

Been digging through all this information for a while and I would though I would throw it all out there.

I received my denials today after many years of fighting the system. I have 30% already for migraines and was trying for more as I have them more than once a week and have to inject Imitrex and get in a dark room with white noise and I am down and out (to the point of punching myself in the head) for anywhere from 1-4 days. I have all my leave records printed out from the pay system etc and have started to keep a log. I see the VA Neuro (finally) next month.

I also filed for MDD and PTSD. Both were denied. I was in an in-patient psychiactric unit at Fitzsimmons AMC in Denver for 9 weeks or so and medicated to the gills after attempting suicide. My ex-wife had had an affair while I was deployed and told me on mid tour. She said she would continue the relationship when I returned to duty and noone would allow me to extend mid tour or curtail and I couldn't bear duty continuing knowing that was going on so I deciced to take myself out with my trusty ol' magnum. The VA's reson for denial was "marriage related and not service related" so I really don't know how to proceed on that.

In the psyche-ward, I injured my neck and shoulder which I filed for also. That has also been denied. After returning to duty, my career went into the toilet. The powers-that-be at Fitsimmons and my First Shirt of my unit were of the opinion, "Suck it up or we'll kick your ass out!"

I wish I had taken the MEB. The depression went on throughout the rest of my career, and I went from a high-flying airman (honor-grad from basic and tech school, ALS, Levitow award winner, BTZ board, Airman of the Year nom, multiple citations, joint service citation, etc.) all the way down to Article 15's and Correctional Custody. I re-injured my neck and shoulder in martial arts class. I had also had a car crash in Germany where I hit my head and injured my neck. Had some good times getting shot at by Taliban sympathizers in Germany, and having my 60 ready to rock, and just have to sit there and let it happen due to SOFA.

Poor to horrible impulse control, anger issues, dark fugues, etc that are with me to this day. I have panic attacks at least weekly, along with the migraines, the classic hyperawareness from other situations, insomnia even medicated, anger issues. Sometimes I freak when my new wife (10 years now) have even the smallest argument. I am on more medications than Johnny Cash and more than half are from the VA for both the depression and the migraines.

So i sit here, migraine thumping, depressed again looking at a stack of denial paperwork. I have been working through the Texas Veterans Comission and filing paperwork, but I just don't really see them DOING anything. They said I was because I filed it before I came to them. I am going to talk to them tomorrow about all this but this has really got me down. Should I say EFF it all and get a lawyer? Or am i missing something important? DO y'all have any input on the Texas Vets Comm?

Sorry to dump all this as a newb here but I am about to give up. It is affecting my work, home life and general outlook. It causes almost as much depression as the issues I got it from. I have also filed for some knee and ankle injuries (dislocations, etc) and they said there was NO RECORD! I still had the boot they cut off my foot up till a few years ago!!!!

Thanks for understanding.

SullyTex

(Big Blue Hairy Monster in Texas)

[Berta]

OK, you are in good company here.

“Sorry to dump all this as a newb here but I am about to give up “

The VA is hoping you will. You need to rely on your mil training and you can fight back. on this.

“The VA's reson for denial was "marriage related and not service related" so I really don't know how to proceed on that. “

The MDD has to be tied into your service as this marital event was excerbated by your MDD.

“I have been working through the Texas Veterans Comission and filing paperwork, but I just don't really see them DOING anything. They said I was because I filed it before I came to them. “

They have a good point Airman, you created a way out for the VA....

Is the MDD diagnosis from a real doctor (outside MH professional?)

Did the VARO list as evidence and consider your medical treatment records on that?

“It causes almost as much depression as the issues I got it from. “

Yeah.I think I have VA induced PTSD. I am a civilian. You are here in the company of many of us hardcore VA claimants who had been denied any times until VA caved in.

Can you possibly scan and attach here the VAROs “Reasons and Bases” and the evidence list on that decision?

(cover your name, address ,C file number first)

Edited January 15, 2013 by Berta

[meghp0405]

you will need to obtain a nexus letter from a mental health provider stating that your mental issues are service related and not due to your marriage difficulties. In my opinion, that may be difficult. Good luck...

[sullytex]

Thanks for all the information!

I will scan that as soon as I can and you definately made some valid points at the guy at Texas Vets made today. I am appealing everything!

We are reversing the PTSD/MDD claim to reflect MDD and secondary PTSD as that is how my provider has it written up anyway. My C-Spine, and L-Spine, and DDD claim was all messed up so we are appealing that too. I have chiro care for that for a few years and I believe I can get a letter on that. He also feels upping the Migraines is fairly easy as I have most all of my documentation in a row already.

I appreciate all the guidance already but now I have another conundrum and have to ask another set of questions: I have major lapses in documentation for my MDD. I have all the information from in the service and I have the recent documentation. However, I am missing great gaps of documentation. The ex-wife took off with the major part of it. I don't remember the names of the providers. I guess I am wondering if Buddy Letters would be sufficient? I can start the search as all the providers were local but some of them were years ago. I think my civillian psych would have no issue writing the letter to the effect and Ican approach my VA doc about the same but my VA rep wants it airtight and I am worried I will only be able to get buddy letters for the gaps.

Thanks again for your assistance!

Edited January 16, 2013 by sullytex

[sullytex]

Oh, Berta, Thanks again and Yes the civvy doc was the one that diag'd PTSD/MDD. She works with vets extensively and is and Afghan vet herself so I think gettin a nexus from her would not be much of a stretch.

Meghp,

From what the vet rep and the doc has said, the end result should be service related.

Again,

Thank You Both!!!!