ptsd Ptsd Service Connection

[thom724]

Need some help with service connecting a PTSD claim. I'm a non combat vet rated at 80% currently. I was TDY to Turkey a lot in the late 90s and on a TDY the base sirens went off for a missile attack. We put on our chemical gear and went into our bunker for 1-2 hours. Later it was said that it was a false missile attack. Everything changed after this event for me. I have my TDY orders showing I was deployed there but the orders state I was suppose to get there on the 30th of Jan on a commercial rotator aircraft but I ended up flying military aircraft and arriving a few days early. I googled and found a CNN article about the false missile attack and the article states it happened on the 28 or 29 of Jan. I don't have any other supporting documentation putting me there on those dates even though I was there but my orders saying the 30 Jan. Do you think I can still get it serviced connected with the dates from my orders and the CNN article being off 1 day? Any ideas? Thank you so much!

[Berta]

I suggest you read the 2010 PTSD regulations carefully- in our PTSD forum.

You will need a VA MH diagnosis of PTSD,

"Everything changed after this event for me. "

You will need Proof of the change (is there anything in your SMRs to show you sought help for your anxiety over this incident?

"I have my TDY orders showing I was deployed there but the orders state I was suppose to get there on the 30th of Jan on a commercial rotator aircraft but I ended up flying military aircraft and arriving a few days early." You would have to prove ypu were there same time as the incident.

Buddy statements would help. I have done an article on Buddy statements available here under a search.

I have no opinion at all on whether the VA will diagnose you with PTSD as I am not a doctor but you should file the claim and then try to find the evidence you will need.

"Everything changed" would mean post service treatment records, lay statements, problems on the job, etc etc...

Why not contact CNN to see where they got that date from. It could be wrong.

Is this event in any way related to the 80% you have now?

With 80% are you still employed?

If not have you considered filing for TDIU?

When VA awarded you the 80% they should have considered you for TDIU then, but maybe you had substantial employment.

Has any disability involved in the 80% increased in it's disabling affects to you since that award came?

[Pete53]

Berta is on the money.

[Navy04]

The VA is very strict when it comes to Timelines Bud. Make sure you have some way of connecting the Dots. It could be a Security Badge, Buddy Letters or awards, anything that can physically put you in the area. God Bless and good luck

[john999]

This really shows the evolution of PTSD in the military. After Vietnam for the first few decades in order to get a PTSD rating you almost needed hand-to-hand combat with the NVA. I can't tell how many false rocket and mortar attacks we went through in Nam, and this never would have risen to a PTSD event. The VA almost demanded you have a CIB or PH. However, I have learned it is not the event so much as how the person interprets the event that can cause PTSD.