Writing a Letter for a buddy

[Crosis]

Greetings!

I am a USMC Veteran, I have PTSD (working on getting mine service connected, but thats another issues). I was asked by a close friend of mine who served in the US Army to write a Buddy Letter for his pending PTSD claim. I'm gong to share what I have written so far, I would appreciate some feedback on any changes I need to make.
 

My name is (withheld), and I've known the Veteran (withheld) listed above since the Summer of 1998. To say I just know him would be an insult to our bond, (withheld) is my brother, not by blood but by choice. We were forged in the same fires of hell. We met the Summer before High School and from that point on we went everywhere together, weekends and summers were spent together at each others parents home (along with our 2 other brothers - also Veterans).

While we were in High School before we joined the Military (Him Army, me USMC) (withheld) was super outgoing. We would go to Tournaments for the various games we played that would range from small groups of 20 to large groups over over 200 in attendance, we would go to Movies, the Mall, the Beach, he never had issues with being in Crowded places. He always had the uncanny ability to just make every situation better and fun. He was always smiling, always enjoying himself, he never had trouble sleeping, he was an all American guy that everyone was proud to call their friend.

After we enlisted and we both deployed out of country I noticed some major changes in his personality. He doesn't do well with crowded places, always has to sit with his back to a wall watching the entrances and exits, his ability to relax and just enjoy life has been stripped away from him. He doesn't sleep like he used to - nightmares, sleep disturbances, snoring, etc. He has control over his anger, but you can see it boiling inside of him. When we go places (withheld) has a happy face on, but you can see him always calculating the situation, sizing up the people around him for potential threats, and always being on guard - especially around new unknown people. Getting him to go out and do things isn't like it used to be, before it was "Hey lets go see a movie" we would get up and immediately leave to go see said movie, now its "hey lets go see a movie", and sometimes its a month before he has the energy to leave and be around people enough to see the movie

His experiences overseas have altered his personality, his demeanor, and his life to a point that he is completely different person that is being forced to learn how to adjust in society without the help and support he truly needs.

I hope this statement helps in you making the right decision to help (withheld) with his claim.

Thank you,

(Withheld)

Any changes needed? is this sufficient?

Edited February 6, 2019 by Crosis

[Buck52]

Yes 

Well you will have to have a C&P EXAM The Examiner should connect the dots needed and send to the VA for a rater to look at and give a rating according to your symptoms 

is this your very first claim?

[Berta]

Buck- I have had 35 years of experience with combat veterans-and PTSD

"Remember combat veterans don't need to prove their stressors    his DD 214 Should reflect his combat locations and dates."

We have had MANY combat vets here who had to prove their stressors.

And remember- The PTSD regulations changed in 2010-

it made a PTSD claim easier for OIF-OEF veterans but unless a veteran of a different period of war  has the CAB, CAR or PH on their DD 214

they will prtobaby need to provide adequate proof of their stressor.(s) I added the s- my husband had multiiple stressors in Vietnam- most incountry Nam vets did as well.

And one more point- sometimes a vet needs to use a DD 149 to obtain  a DD215 with all of their military decorations etc, to include the combat ones.

When a vet has multiple stressors, they should list first the one(s) most easiest to verify and prove.

Edited February 6, 2019 by Berta

[Crosis]

Just now, Buck52 said:

Yes 

Well you will have to have a C&P EXAM The Examiner should connect the dots needed and send to the VA for a rater to look at and give a rating according to your symptoms 

is this your very first claim?

I got out in 2006, I received 70% and it was all physical, I was denied for PTSD as being not service connected.

[Buck52]

I too am a Vietnam combat veteran  with 2 tours with Service Connection at 70% Chronic PTSD with severe depression disorder and high anxiety  currently still in treatment for this, I submitted my combat locations and my change MOS, and also my DD 214 Has my  Cib and combat locations and awards ribbons, I submitted my lay statement and also my spouse wrote one.

Also my C&P Examiner mention to me to my face that I did not need to prove my stressors  she had read my records and will not ask me about them.

if this veteran needs more evidence   the VA will or should let him know they need more evidence  to help him substantiate his claim.

The VA did check on all what I mention in my claim about locations and dates  ect,,,ect,,and found it to be all true.

But its not me in question here.

[Buck52]

Its hard to help two veterans at the same time each case will be different...

I has assume they were service connected ....but I did put up the calzua elements that broncovet mentions   to be service connected.

if they serve in combat  this should be reflected in their statements and VA can look them up  as for as the dates and location of the combat events. once this is established  there should not be a problem with stressors or S.C.

Edited February 6, 2019 by Buck52

[Berta]

Yes, you are correct Buck, thanks for the Caluza info, we can never repeat that enough. But we dont even know if these vets are combat or not-

"Its hard to help two veterans at the same time each case will be different..."

And even harder when it is third party info-

Maybe we can help the new member as well as his friend but we need more info.

"Also my C&P Examiner mention to me to my face that I did not need to prove my stressors  she had read my records and will not ask me about them." 

You sure didnt need to prove your stressors to her Buck- 2 tours and -  CIB-       says it all.!!!!!

I hope I didnt sound too abrupt in above thread-

Buck  we value you here more than you probably  know.