ptsd Feeling screwed

[Black3018]

I was denied for my fully developed PTSD claim as being not service related. I went to the DAV to file my appeal but they suggested I get treatment and counseling first to establish a paper trail and to get evidence of service connection. After about 6 months of treatment I went to file my appeal. They said to do the reconsideration based on new evidence ( treatment notes and a letter from my VA therapist plus copies of my Purple Heart award) and file a NOD at the same time. In mid March a representative of the VA called and said that reconsideration can go through but i have to drop the nod. I dropped it and I've had a new c&p exam on April 8 and it's still in the gathering evidence phase. My appeal time is over may 25th. After doing more research on my own I discovered that a reconsideration doesn't exist in the VA and I'm pissed at myself for listening to the DAV. Will This be considered a new claim or will my original date of 2-24-15 still be there? I'm also thinking I should file my NOD to preserve my original date but not sure what this will do to my reconsideration. Any advice would be helpful. 

[ArNG11]

Im with others on the above, service connection is the goal here, you can appeal the rest as necessary with the evidence you have if need be. Service connection would be a no brainer here but the VA is what it is.  Your evidence and nexus are your bread and butter and it looks like you have that.

At least that is what I can ascertain.  Heh although most on here are here to help, try to block out personal identifiable information just for your privacy and security.

Hang in there friend, stay in treatment, keep taking meds as prescribed, things will get better, you will see. Good luck and take care.

[flores97]

Navy4life,  i remember something similar happened to you during your c&p for ptsd, did the examiner check the incorrect box  (based off the severity of your symptoms),  i thought i recalled that the examiner checked the 10% box on yours (for social and occupational impairment) but you still received the increase? I could be thinking of someone else, but on my c&ps for mh they went more by symptoms listed than the social/occupational, (on one of the exams they marked the 30% box, the other they marked the 50%, the third exam was for psychological eval). In any case, Black3018, we wish you the best of luck, please continue treatment and keep us updated.

[Black3018]

I will. Now we play the waiting game. A game I hate by the way

[Navy4life]

2 hours ago, flores97 said:

Navy4life,  i remember something similar happened to you during your c&p for ptsd, did the examiner check the incorrect box  (based off the severity of your symptoms),  i thought i recalled that the examiner checked the 10% box on yours (for social and occupational impairment) but you still received the increase? I could be thinking of someone else, but on my c&ps for mh they went more by symptoms listed than the social/occupational, (on one of the exams they marked the 30% box, the other they marked the 50%, the third exam was for psychological eval). In any case, Black3018, we wish you the best of luck, please continue treatment and keep us updated.

I think you are right!  I will look at my C&P exam when I am back home. I'm traveling until Thursday.  But yes I got an increase!

 

[flores97]

Navy4life, thanks, I wasn't certain. (My worst symptom of MH issues is definitely memory loss, I often can't remember which posts I've responded to), be safe on your travels and have a great Mothers Day!!!

[Black3018]

The claim that the VSO filed as a new claim instead of a reconsideration is at the preping for decision part of the claim since friday.  How long does it normally take for a claim to hit the decision phase in a case like mine?