ptsd MST Compensation Claim Question

[Michigander]

Hi,

I am a victim of MST.  I have a police report in graphic detail of the assault while I was serving active duty in the Army.  The events (more than one) occurred 30 years ago, however, the images replay in my mind daily and to this day.  I somehow managed to get through life and was married once and have three children.  I have suffered internally (mentally) for years and have had a multitude of health problems including panic attacks and anxiety.  I want to file for compensation, but also to get the mental help I know need through the VA I understand it there for me...if I can finally get myself to be able to talk about it with a counselor.  I worked full time my entire life (now age 51) but was approved for SSD disability (civilian) for other medical conditions 3 years ago.  When reading some of the blogs proving my MST is not a problem as I have the police report, however, how or what do they need to prove my suffering of panic attacks and PTSD to access if my life has been affected by the MST for compensation purposes.  I have hid the MST events my entire life and even though I have taken anxiety medication on and off and even have seen a few counselors over the years I rarely talked about the MST and focused my sessions on other issues I think mostly so I didn't have to relive the events by talking about them.  So again I am wondering if the proof is there for the MST what proof is needed that it had impaired my life in such a way that compensation would be awarded.  I am not trying to find out how I can manipulate the system, but rather so that I can get an idea before putting myself through all the trauma of going through the application process if there is clearly no way I will even be awarded a disability rating if for example I do not have a trail of doctor's or psychiatry sessions stating I was talking about these events etc. to proved it has affected my life negatively.   

[Buck52]

Michigander

''Here's another questions if anyone has feedback.  During the final claim process what financials do they ask for and are there limitations to your assets that would disqualify you for SC claims?''

The only thing they may ask you about is direct deposit  and you will need to give them your Bank Routing Number  to your Checking or Savings Account or any Account you want your compensation$$ Deposited in! 

SMC (Special Monthly Compensation) A&A (Aide & Attendance) as for as them checking your finical situation they will check your income  but this is something you don't need to worry about....right now anyway.

As for as asking an attorney there background with the experience as  for representing  MST Victims,  you ask them how many cases of MST have they won and have you ever tried a case like mine &Do they think they can handle it ect,,,ect,,.....you have to trust them on some of it and some of it you can ask for Resume.

you kinda will know when you talk with them  if your comfortable with them and actually want to hire them to represent you  just ask them to keep you informed in all  the decision they make for you and to please check with you first before they do make a decision or ''push that button''

 

Just a side Note  

As for as you living your life with lies...hey girl if it helps you cope   then why the hell not...I am not saying lie to the VA in anyway  but lf living a life of lies helps you cope with your life....then let it be...God Only knows how you truly feel and I believe he would approve  for you to go on and live out your life to what makes you comfortable.

  If I was you I'd just make a pact with God so- to- speak and just go on living your life the way it makes you happy or comfortable  b/c I believe once a person is traumatized they will always have that ''numbness'' feeling with them the rest of their life  no matter how much therapy...sure medications will help some  for sleep or anxiety or what ever but there's still going to be that numbness feeling inside you.

So after you are finished with your MST Claim and your ok with the rating and keep going to treatment...then my Advise would be to just live out your life the best way you know how and if Living these lies helps you cope  then do it.

Now I know you and maybe some others will not agree  but this is just my opinion and suggestions , when nothing else seems to help then what other Alternative is there?

[Michigander]

@Buck52  Amen brother!

[Buck52]

I believe my therapist has not a clue as to how I feel, to me no matter how much education a person has  if that person has never been traumatized then how do they know how a person can feel that has? (they don't) they are like Robots in my opinion and just try to use reverse physiology and all these Hippocratic words they use  ...in other words a make believe world in a therapist eyes.

I go to see my therapist weekly and I dread every minute of it...but I have to  b/c if they pay you compensation and you don't go to treatments  the VA will find out and Assume your PTSD has shown improvement and  send a letter to reduce your benefits

[MKAH]

1 hour ago, Buck52 said:

I believe my therapist has not a clue as to how I feel, to me no matter how much education a person has  if that person has never been traumatized then how do they know how a person can feel that has? (they don't) they are like Robots in my opinion and just try to use reverse physiology and all these Hippocratic words they use  ...in other words a make believe world in a therapist eyes.

I go to see my therapist weekly and I dread every minute of it...but I have to  b/c if they pay you compensation and you don't go to treatments  the VA will find out and Assume your PTSD has shown improvement and  send a letter to reduce your benefits

Buck52,

I feel your pain about the therapist visits and you are spot on regarding how no one except those that have experienced this terrible crime can really understand exactly how it feels and how it effects your life.  In my case, the VA doctors and therapists have been extremely supportive and provided me the best treatment they know how to give.  This is a complicated problem to solve for sure.  I am so very thankful for the flexibility and variety of treatment I do get. 

However when the RO sent me my canned poorly written denial letter (without even the decency of even a C&P exam) that basically read; "nope....that did not actually happen 30+ years ago because you didn't file a police report....", I became blinded with guilt, shame, self blame and absolutely sickened by the audacity of the denial and overall failure of our Government to deal with this problem that has been going on just about forever now. 

While I am still very proud to have served my country, I read that callous and incorrect denial letter often and think back to that terrible life changing time in Germany back in 1985.  Don't get me wrong, I understand that no system is perfect, but I do know first hand that the system has failed me in my specific case.  It is my sincere hope, that others that have experienced MST as I have, will have a better outcome than me.....this has got to change....it should be given the highest priority by our leaders.

 

Thanks for listening.

Edited June 6, 2017 by MKAH

[Buck52]

I certainly understand and sympathize 

I don't have MST just chronic combat PTSD and I have problems with some of the things I seen in Vietnam...I just can't get some of that shi** out of my mind and it seems as though the therapist don't understand that  and wants me to forget the past  and I tell him I have tried and tried for years  the nigh mares/sweats just keep coming...I am so tired of it all.

[Michigander]

@Buck52  Buck...I am sorry you have had to go through this and I am so thankful to all my vets for what they have gone through for my country.  My experience was not combat related and I know so many have gone through so much worse than I.....although it did involve fighting for my life.  I do understand to some degree what a combat vet must experience with the PTSD part of course.  The stuff is seared into your brain, I already know no matter how much therapy the images, the sounds, the smell will never leave my brain until the day I die.  There is no magic pill to take away such traumatic events...my brain will flash various segments at lightening speed hundreds of times a day.  I can be talking or doing something or completely distracted and still have flashes of the event like background music playing...even though at times I feel nothing at all when the flashbacks come they are a constant reminder.  Your brain does not let you forget what it is still trying to process these many years later....and yes a therapist will never get it unless they experience it.