ptsd New Here. Recent PTSD Claim.

[TG1979]

Hello everyone!

Just wanted to say thanks for having this website.  I wish I would have found it prior to submitting my claim. 

I think I set my ptsd claim up completely wrong.  I have not been evaluated for PTSD prior to submitting the claim.  I was hoping the claim would make them evaluate me and that then I could start the treatment.  I work for the gov't for another agency, and I have to report seeking mental counseling.  By going to a screening/evaluation  you do not have to report it.  Hopefully I didn't have to seek treatment first without a diagnosis.  Also from my reading it appears you have to have work issues/arrests.  I do not have depression or anger, but yet anxiety and other issues.  

My previous successful claim was with GERD, and that one went well.  This one did not seem to go that well after the exam evaluation.

Another question is did anyone fill out the VA burn pit registry?  I started filling it out, but it has been down since I started.  I am going for sleep evaluations and now after reading think my GERD and sleep issues (apnea) might be related to the burn pits and other toxins we were near.

I will let you know.

Thanks for letting me be part of the community!

[Tbird]

TG1979 - c and p docs can give you a diagnosis of PTSD, however they probably won't set you up with a treatment plan. You will have to ask your VA for an appointment with a doc for that. You can also call your local veterans center they also counsel veterans there and many veterans find it an easier environment to be in.

The claims process is separate from your treatment team.

[TG1979]

Tbird,

 

Thanks for the reply.  I just found out that my claim is closed, and it says on ebenefits that it is not service related.  I am not sure how that is, I must need better evidence, but how do I prove that?  I went to Iraq, my unit took small arms, rpg, and mortor fire the whole time that I was there.  We had many intense moments.  I figured that it would be a minimal rating, but to say it is not service related is a little insane.  Not sure what to even do now, or how do I approach this?

[R762]

14 minutes ago, TG1979 said:

Tbird,

 

Thanks for the reply.  I just found out that my claim is closed, and it says on ebenefits that it is not service related.  I am not sure how that is, I must need better evidence, but how do I prove that?  I went to Iraq, my unit took small arms, rpg, and mortor fire the whole time that I was there.  We had many intense moments.  I figured that it would be a minimal rating, but to say it is not service related is a little insane.  Not sure what to even do now, or how do I approach this?

TG1979; I would start contacting those that were with you when deployed, ask for buddy statements. I know that the buddy statements from my unit helped validate my in-service connection. 

[Berta]

We need more info.

Where was the C & P exam done If at a VAMC, you can get a copy of it.

Also it will help if, when you get the actual decision, if you can scan and attach here their Reasons and Bases for the denial as well as the Evidence list. (cover C file, name etc prior to scanning it)

R 762 gave you very good advice.

  "I went to Iraq, my unit took small arms, rpg, and mortor fire the whole time that I was there."

They should have applied the 2010 PTSD regulations to your claim.It sure sounds to me that you were 'in fear of' and in 'close proximity to hostile fire'.

But maybe the C & P doc did not diagnose PTSD....???

We have info here on buddy statements. The buddy must have been in the same unit, same time and place.They need to give details and it is best for them to get their signature notarized. A claim my daughter helped with involved one of the buddys sending his SC for PTSD award to the VA and said he received this award due to the same exact stressor the other 5 vets had been involved in. They all got awards. Not only SC but other awards from the Vietnamese Gov ( not the regular ones on a DD 214 ) .It was a specific commendation from a Vietnamese General regarding all of them.

Buddys are not that difficult to find with Google these days.You too might find one of them has SC award for PTSD for the same incidents, same unit, same time and place. And they also need to give VA their personal contact info.

[Buck52]

Actually you don't need to seek treatment before being diagnosed, however you need to be diagnosed by the VA & then seek treatment, you need to see a MH Psychiatrist  VA OR Private  and seek counseling /theraphy

your denial ''What We Decided''  will probably be denied because no diagnoses & lack of evidence to substantiate your claim.

with your DD-214  to show where you were deployed /medals awards MOS  ect,,,ect,,...  Its obvious the rater made an error in stating this is not service related.

JMO

......................Buck

[TG1979]

Thanks everyone for the great advice.

I don't have the paperwork decision from the mail yet, I was only able to see from e benefits that it was determined not service related.  If they said that my symptoms do not meet the PTSD threshold, well that I guess I can't help.  If they say that I do and that they cannot determine it was related to combat, well I think through the advice of you all that I will be able to do so.  

I will make some copies of everything once I have the information and post it on here.  

I have made notes of everything you mentioned.  I have started looking through some of my foot lockers for more information, plus I had a dairy and pictures from when I was there.  I also will find a format for buddy letters to use if there is one.  I have some contact with some of my old friends.  

Thanks and I will keep you updated!

TG