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.

[Hoppy]

There was a veteran who posted here a couple years ago (not commander Bob) who filed for PTSD based on his knowing something was wrong but he did not seek treatment before he filed the claim. The VA gave him a C&P exam. The C&P examiner said he did not have PTSD, rather he had a non service connectable substance abuse disorder.

The veteran was a combat vet so he was able to get treatment at a vet center for his PTSD. He saw a clinician at the vet center who was reluctant to say the C&P examiner was full of sh--. However, he did give the veteran a new diagnosis of PTSD. The clinician provided enough supporting criteria based on the DSM IV to over-ride the C&P and he was service connected. The vet center clinicians can write a report that is significant for evidence. They need to reference DSM IV criteria in their report and not just make a bare diagnosis of PTSD. If you get evidence from the vet center before the claim is closed you can preserve your effective date.