ptsd My Story

[calnight]

HELLO THIS IS MY FIRST POST. I HAVE SAT BACK AND LISTENED FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW. I HAVE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL FROM EVERYONE AND WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO TELL EVERYONE OF MY DEALING WITH THE VA AND HOW IT ALL CAME ABOUT. LETS BEGIN

IAM 50% FOR PTSD AND 0% FOR MALERIA. I SERVED IN THE MARINE CORP FROM 91-96. I SAW COMBAT IN SOMALIA AS A COMBAT ENGINEER. AFTER LEAVING THE CORP IN 96 I WENT TO WORK FOR A TRUCKING CO. AS A DOCKWORKER. THAT JOB LASTED 18 MONTHS I WAS FIRED FOR A VERBAL ALTERCATION WITH A SUPERVISOR. THEN I WENT TO WORK FOR ANOTHER TRUCKING CO. THAT LASTED 8 YEARS BEFORE I WAS FIRED FOR ASSUALTING A SUPERVISOR. I THREW HIM AGIANST A WALL. I DID GET MY JOB BACK LONG STORY. THANK YOU FOR THE TEAMSTERS UNION. BUT I EVENTUALLY QUIT. I WILL GET INTO THAT LATER. AFTER BEING FIRED THE SECOND TIME I WENT TO SEE A DOCTOR I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. HE DIAGNOSED ME WITH PTSD. HAD ALL THE SYPTOMS.FLASH BACKS, NIGHTMARES, ANGER, TRIGGERS AND SO ON. SO I HAD BEEN OUT OF THE SERVICE 9 YEARS BEFORE I WAS DIAGNOSED. I THOUGHT FOR SO LONG THIS WAS NORMAL. SO I TALKED TO SOME NAM VETS AT WORK AND THEY SAID I SHOULD FILE A CLAIM WITH THE VA. SO I CONTACTED THE DAV. THE CLAIM WAS FILED AND RECIEVED 50% FOR PTSD. IT TOOK 8 MONTHS TO PROCESS AT THE RO OAKLAND. BY NOW I WAS SEEING THE SHRINK AT THE VA. AND WAS BACK AT WORK. BUT THINGS WERE NOT GETTING BETTER. MY AVERGE GAF SCORE WAS 50-55. SO AFTER 7MONTHS AFTER MY ORIGINAL AWARD I APPEALED.AND THEN THIS IS WERE THE FUN BEGINS.

I REQUESTED A DRO. HAD SOME NEW EVIDENCE NOTHING SOLID. SO IN NOV 2005 GOT MY SOC. DENIED INCREASE STATED THAT I WAS STILL WORKING AND GAF SCORE REMANDE THE SAME. JAN 2006 IS WHEN I QUIT MY JOB. ALTERCATIONS WITH SUPERVISORS CONTUINED. PART OF THE AGREMENT TO COME BACK TO WORK WAS TO DISCLOSE THAT I HAD PTSD TO THE CO. BIG MISTAKE. I WAS TREATED LIKE FREAK. I HAD SUPERVISOR TELL ME HE WAS AFRAID I WAS GOING TO BRING A GUN TO WORK AND KILL PEOPLE. BUT I STAYED I HAVE 2 SMALL KIDS AND THEY EAT ALOT. SO NOW I AM OUT OF WORK. I PROVIDE THIS INFO TO THE VA AND SOME NEW EVIDENCE DOCTORS REPORTS FROM THE VA. SO IN JUNE OF 2006 I GOT SSOC. DENIED FOR INCREASE THE ONLY REASON SAME GAF SCORE. BY NOW I HAVE FOUND THIS WEB SITE AND I WENT TO WORK DOING MY HOMEWORK. I FORGOT THAT IN FEB 2006 I WENT TO VOC REHAB AND TOOK ALL THERE TESTS AND EXAM. THEN ONTHIS SITE I READ THAT VOC REHAB RECORDS CAN BE USED AS EVIDENCE. SO REQUESTED THEM AND THIS IS WHAT IT READS. EMPLOYMENT IMPAIRMENT-SEVERE, PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPAIRMENT-SEVERE, SITUATIONAL IMPAIRMENT-SEVERE. SO I AM THINKING THIS IS IT. SEND A COPY TO VSO AND VA. ALWAYS SEND 2 COPYS ONE TO THE VA AND ONE TO THE VSO. OK A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER I RECIEVE A IU FORM IN THE MAIL FROM THE VA. VSO SAYS FILL IT OUT AND SEND IT BACK I DID. OK 4 WEEKS AGO I HAD DOC APPT WITH A NEW SHRINK AT THE VAMC IN RENO. I MOVED AND NOW EVERTHING IS IN RENO. I JUST GOT HIS REPORT IN THE MAIL THE OTHERDAY. HE SAYS " AT THE PRESENT TIME I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT THIS VETERAN IS UNEMPLOYABLE BECUASE OF HIS POSSIBILITY OF CAUSING HARM TO OTHERS WITH MINIMAL PROVOCATION". GAF SCORE 46. AND LAST WEEK I RECIEVED A LETTER FROM THE VA FOR A C&P EXAM IT SAID IT WAS FOR MY APPEAL. SAID NOTHING ABOUT MY IU APP. THE VA AS NOT RECIEVED THIS LATEST DOC REPORT. JUST MAILED IT IN. ALSO FILED FOR SSD 4 MONTHS AGO THEY SAY THE AVERGE HEAR IS 7 MONTHS FOR DESCION. SO WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THIS A STRONG CASE IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD SUGGEST I DO. ANY INFO WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED OR JUST YOUR THOUGHTS. I HAVE REQUESTED TO GO TO THE BVA MY FILE IS STILL IN RENO. DECIEDING THE 2 ISSUES. GOD BLESS AND THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THERE HELP.

[Josephine]

Hi Calnight and Welcome,

This is not the answer to your question, but I am sure that one of the more knowledgable folks on this site will be able to help you.

Always,

Josephine

[Berta]

Calnight- thank you for your service Marine!

On the TDIU form did you mention how any of those PTSD meds affect your ability to be employed? Like do not take and drive, causes drowsiness, can cause confusion etc?

The Voc Rehab statements are excellent evidence that you are not employable. I would make sure you always send the VARO copies of things like these statements because they often lose stuff.

The Reno shrink statement also supports your claim- did this doctor give any info as to his credentials or expertise? Did he say he fully reviewed your medical records?

The employer-----did they give you negative performance appraisals or anything else in writing that would prove the difficulties you had on the job?

If this employer is not covered by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or even if they are- it might be worth the trouble to see if you could have a heart to heart talk with your employer to see if they would give you a statement as to how your SC disability affected you at work ( anger,took too much time off,is difficult to communicate with,etc.

As long as they understand you are not going to try to sue them under the ADA laws ,they might help you get a proper SC award under TDIU by preparing a statement as to how your PTSD affected you on the job.

This is not your fault. It alarms me that-even in these days employers still have a negative attitude about PTSD. It is even worse when family members and civilians don't get it.

I think most of the people I know wouldn't even know where Somalia is and what it was like there.

I feel you deserve 100% or TDIU (same amount of money) but you have been reading the posts and know it takes evidence to succeed.

You present a clear picture of PTSD at a high level of negative affects to your life.

The wife or significant other can send the VA a statement in your behalf if they wish-and you can send them additional information to consider with the TDIU form as to those meds.

It pays to print off from a good Web site- what the side affects of your medications are.This is evidence to support their affect on you-if they do affect you.

Some of that stuff is very strong.

Edited October 8, 2006 by Berta

[Guest fla_viking]

Dear Calnight

You have good proof of current disablity. Do you have any Service Medical records or treatment within one year of service that links your current problems to service? The PTSD approval by the VA. Did they state what the cause was? The VA loves to say you got problems but they occured after service.

Terry Higgins

[Philip Rogers]

HELLO THIS IS MY FIRST POST. I HAVE SAT BACK AND LISTENED FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW. I HAVE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL FROM EVERYONE AND WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO TELL EVERYONE OF MY DEALING WITH THE VA AND HOW IT ALL CAME ABOUT. LETS BEGIN

IAM 50% FOR PTSD AND 0% FOR MALERIA. I SERVED IN THE MARINE CORP FROM 91-96. I SAW COMBAT IN SOMALIA AS A COMBAT ENGINEER. AFTER LEAVING THE CORP IN 96 I WENT TO WORK FOR A TRUCKING CO. AS A DOCKWORKER. THAT JOB LASTED 18 MONTHS I WAS FIRED FOR A VERBAL ALTERCATION WITH A SUPERVISOR. THEN I WENT TO WORK FOR ANOTHER TRUCKING CO. THAT LASTED 8 YEARS BEFORE I WAS FIRED FOR ASSUALTING A SUPERVISOR. I THREW HIM AGIANST A WALL. I DID GET MY JOB BACK LONG STORY. THANK YOU FOR THE TEAMSTERS UNION. BUT I EVENTUALLY QUIT. I WILL GET INTO THAT LATER. AFTER BEING FIRED THE SECOND TIME I WENT TO SEE A DOCTOR I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. HE DIAGNOSED ME WITH PTSD. HAD ALL THE SYPTOMS.FLASH BACKS, NIGHTMARES, ANGER, TRIGGERS AND SO ON. SO I HAD BEEN OUT OF THE SERVICE 9 YEARS BEFORE I WAS DIAGNOSED. I THOUGHT FOR SO LONG THIS WAS NORMAL. SO I TALKED TO SOME NAM VETS AT WORK AND THEY SAID I SHOULD FILE A CLAIM WITH THE VA. SO I CONTACTED THE DAV. THE CLAIM WAS FILED AND RECIEVED 50% FOR PTSD. IT TOOK 8 MONTHS TO PROCESS AT THE RO OAKLAND. BY NOW I WAS SEEING THE SHRINK AT THE VA. AND WAS BACK AT WORK. BUT THINGS WERE NOT GETTING BETTER. MY AVERGE GAF SCORE WAS 50-55. SO AFTER 7MONTHS AFTER MY ORIGINAL AWARD I APPEALED.AND THEN THIS IS WERE THE FUN BEGINS.

I REQUESTED A DRO. HAD SOME NEW EVIDENCE NOTHING SOLID. SO IN NOV 2005 GOT MY SOC. DENIED INCREASE STATED THAT I WAS STILL WORKING AND GAF SCORE REMANDE THE SAME. JAN 2006 IS WHEN I QUIT MY JOB. ALTERCATIONS WITH SUPERVISORS CONTUINED. PART OF THE AGREMENT TO COME BACK TO WORK WAS TO DISCLOSE THAT I HAD PTSD TO THE CO. BIG MISTAKE. I WAS TREATED LIKE FREAK. I HAD SUPERVISOR TELL ME HE WAS AFRAID I WAS GOING TO BRING A GUN TO WORK AND KILL PEOPLE. BUT I STAYED I HAVE 2 SMALL KIDS AND THEY EAT ALOT. SO NOW I AM OUT OF WORK. I PROVIDE THIS INFO TO THE VA AND SOME NEW EVIDENCE DOCTORS REPORTS FROM THE VA. SO IN JUNE OF 2006 I GOT SSOC. DENIED FOR INCREASE THE ONLY REASON SAME GAF SCORE. BY NOW I HAVE FOUND THIS WEB SITE AND I WENT TO WORK DOING MY HOMEWORK. I FORGOT THAT IN FEB 2006 I WENT TO VOC REHAB AND TOOK ALL THERE TESTS AND EXAM. THEN ONTHIS SITE I READ THAT VOC REHAB RECORDS CAN BE USED AS EVIDENCE. SO REQUESTED THEM AND THIS IS WHAT IT READS. EMPLOYMENT IMPAIRMENT-SEVERE, PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPAIRMENT-SEVERE, SITUATIONAL IMPAIRMENT-SEVERE. SO I AM THINKING THIS IS IT. SEND A COPY TO VSO AND VA. ALWAYS SEND 2 COPYS ONE TO THE VA AND ONE TO THE VSO. OK A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER I RECIEVE A IU FORM IN THE MAIL FROM THE VA. VSO SAYS FILL IT OUT AND SEND IT BACK I DID. OK 4 WEEKS AGO I HAD DOC APPT WITH A NEW SHRINK AT THE VAMC IN RENO. I MOVED AND NOW EVERTHING IS IN RENO. I JUST GOT HIS REPORT IN THE MAIL THE OTHERDAY. HE SAYS " AT THE PRESENT TIME I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT THIS VETERAN IS UNEMPLOYABLE BECUASE OF HIS POSSIBILITY OF CAUSING HARM TO OTHERS WITH MINIMAL PROVOCATION". GAF SCORE 46. AND LAST WEEK I RECIEVED A LETTER FROM THE VA FOR A C&P EXAM IT SAID IT WAS FOR MY APPEAL. SAID NOTHING ABOUT MY IU APP. THE VA AS NOT RECIEVED THIS LATEST DOC REPORT. JUST MAILED IT IN. ALSO FILED FOR SSD 4 MONTHS AGO THEY SAY THE AVERGE HEAR IS 7 MONTHS FOR DESCION. SO WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THIS A STRONG CASE IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD SUGGEST I DO. ANY INFO WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED OR JUST YOUR THOUGHTS. I HAVE REQUESTED TO GO TO THE BVA MY FILE IS STILL IN RENO. DECIEDING THE 2 ISSUES. GOD BLESS AND THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THERE HELP.

Dude - looks to me like you have some great evidence. The Voc Rehab report can be a great asset, same with the GAF of 46. Make sure you submit the Voc Rehab report and don't rely on them getting it. I'd push real hard for the DRO hearing, before considering a lengthy appeal to the BVA. Submit any work records showing your problem. Affidavits from spouse, relatives, friends etc. would also help. They probably need a current C&P to rule on the TDIU. Sorry you got stuck with this PTSD thing. It sux.

[Philip Rogers]

Dear Calnight

You have good proof of current disablity. Do you have any Service Medical records or treatment within one year of service that links your current problems to service? The PTSD approval by the VA. Did they state what the cause was? The VA loves to say you got problems but they occured after service.

Terry Higgins

Doesn't need that because they've already service-connected his PTSD. jmo

pr

[calnight]

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE INFO. THE VA AS REQUESTED MY EMPLOYER RECORDS THE ONLY THING IS THAT MY EMPLOYER WILL NOT RELEASE THEM WITHOUT A COURT SUPEONA. THIS WAS PUT IN WRITING BY THE COMPANY AND SENT TO THE VA. I DID HAVE MY CHIEF SHOP STEWARD FROM THE UNION WRITE A LETTER ABOUT MY ABILITY TO WORK ALSO STATEMENTS FROM MY WIFE. I AM JUST TRING TO COVER ALL THE BASES AT WICTH I LEARNED FROM YOU FOLKS. ALSO DOES THE RO HAVE TO LOOK AT THE NEW EVIDENCE AND MAKE A DESCION ON IT BEFORE IT GOES TO THE BVA. THANK YOU I WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED AS MY CASE IS DECIEDED. ONE MORE THING THE LAST DOC I SAW AT VAMC PUT ME ON STATE DISIBILITYAS FAR AS THE DOCS CREDENTIALS IT SAYS HE IS M.D STAFF PSYCHIATRIST AT VAMC MENTAL HEALTH RENO. CAN I USE THE STATE DISIBILITY AS EVIDENCE?

THANK YOU