ptsd Ptsd With Cib Question

[Rakkasan]

Forgive me I am a novice at this.

I got out of the army almost a year ago and immediately began my disability claim for hearing loss, stiffness in my knees and PTSD. Did two tours in Iraq as an 11B. I just received my letter from the VA giving me 10% for tinnitus and denying everything else. Explanation was pretty much lack of evidence. I submitted my ARCOM award recommendations that detailed what all had happened. Was told they believe I was in a hostile environment but no evidence that a condition manifest during service. Was told no reason why I was denied for hearing loss even though I can hear perfectly out of my left ear but can't hear jack out of my right. As for my stiffness I had submitted a sick call slip and a prescription from the PA in which I have been taking 800mg ibuprofen almost everyday. It is so extremely hard to get out of bed in the morning and it takes me about 40 minutes to be able to move around. Explanation said that treatment records show that I was seen for it but I was never clinically diagnosed with a problem. I have just typed up a NOD and requested for a DRO review. Other than that is there anything else I can do to better my chances. Any help would be really appreciative. Thank you.

[Testvet]

when you are filing a claim for compensation holding information back only hurts you, "being a man and keeping a stiff upper lip" will not assist you in this process, you need to tell them exactly how you felt and how you continue to feel about it, exactly how it is affecting all aspects of your life, they take all medical evidence from your doctors and hospitals, MRI's. XRAYS, test results etc that pertain to the medical conditions that you are claiming that are service connected.

Since you only got out of the military a year ago, why aren't you using the VA for all of your health care veterans now get 5 years of care after they ETS for all conditions wether they are service connected or not.

[WhyMista]

I linked up with a VSO in my area a few weeks ago. He got me in touch with the Knoxville Vet Center and have been going there since then about every week. It has been great and really enjoying it. Question: I have been talking with a counselor. Would the VA accept me talking to a counselor at a Vet Center or would I need to talk to a psychiatrist from the VA. I do not know if my counselor has a degree or anything like that. I guess I could just ask him that next time. Also, he has never told me anything about a GAF score or about how the VA can get records of me going to the Vet Center so I can use that as evidence in my claim for PTSD.

I am also trying to claim for arthritis in my back and went to see my private doctor. I asked him about writing me a nexus letter. He examined me and gave me 2 injections. One was a toradol injection and the other was a steroid injection. Drew blood and reviewed over my medical records from the army. He said we will go from there. So, crossing my fingers for that as well. I am hoping the letter and him wanting to give me shots about every 3 months will be enough evidence but who knows. Thanks again.

You have to be seen by a Dr at a C&P at a VA. Civilian or any other treatment can be submitted as evidence but until you have a C&P done it won't matter.

I did a C&P around this time last year for PTSD and you need to make sure to mention every symptom you've had and since you just got out I'd suggest getting letters from other guys in your Bn who witnessed any stressors and have them send you letters. They don't have to be notarized either.

I agree with Test go to the VA that way when a rater looks at your file all the evidence is easy for him to obtain and if you have months of therapy from a VA physician, nurse, or psychologist/psychiatrist as well as proof you're taking any medications they prescribe it makes it harder to deny or give you a shitty rating. I just received 50% after almost two years and its because I have treatment records since early 2009 documenting the ups and downs I've had since getting out of the Corps.

[broncovet]

It was hard to read but the VA denial indicated they conceded your "stressor" but it did appear like you did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, or at least in the records VA has.

You need these three things or you will not be service connected:

1. In service event or stressor. Your denial indicates VA has "conceded" that.

2. Current diagnosis.(for PTSD) No diagnosis, no Service connection.

3. A nexus or link between the two. A
Ford Escort will work if Nexus' are too expensive. The Nexus should say, "The Veterans PTSD is at least as likely as not due to combat in military service" or something close to that.

[john999]

I went to a vet center and they gave me a letter saying I had PTSD, chronic, severe with a poor outlook for future. This was back in 2001. The VA did not even consider this when I was going for TDIU. They did consider the report of my private psychiatrist and psychologist. The best thing is to get a PTSD DX from a VA psychiatrist nowdays. I think I had enough evidence to get 100% three times over, and I just got 70%. You can go to the vet center for talk and go to the VA shrink for DX and pills. Get a script from the VA for depression, anxiety etc. You can throw them away if you want but get it on record that you were prescribed. I think the way they do it now at PTSD C&P exam is they have a check list. If you don't have most of the symptoms on the check list then you don't have PTSD according to the VA. The VA has turned treatment and compensation for PTSD into a game and you have to play it their way.

John

[Rakkasan]

I went to a vet center and they gave me a letter saying I had PTSD, chronic, severe with a poor outlook for future. This was back in 2001. The VA did not even consider this when I was going for TDIU. They did consider the report of my private psychiatrist and psychologist. The best thing is to get a PTSD DX from a VA psychiatrist nowdays.

I have been seeing someone at the Vet Center for a few months now for it. It really helps. Can the Vet Center not diagnose PTSD? Because the people at the Vet Center seem to think that I do and ask for me to keep coming back. When I applied for an appeal I indicated that I was being seen from the Vet Center. How much weight does the Vet Center have versus seeing another VA professional about my PTSD? Thanks.

[john999]

I think the VA does give vet center treatment weight, but the C&P exam gets the most weight. Once you get the PTSD SC'ed then you can get an IMO to get the rate bumped up. My buddy from Nam just got bumped up to 50% on his PTSD and he does not even have a CIB. He was with me at an Army airbase. We just did mucho perimeter guard duty and many trips to the bush as security for civic action people. I think what the VA said in your denial was that you did not have any mental/emotional symptoms at all. They pulled the same thing on Commander Bob and he got his foot blown off in Vietnam. His denial sounds just like yours.

John