ptsd Ptsd Claim

[guillo]

I recently recived a Supplemental Statement of the Case indicating that although I'm medically categorized as having Chronic PTSD my stressors aren't verifiable. I submitted buddy statements and This week I'll be recieving a statement from my ex-commanding officer, in which he states the circumstances and orders he gave me relevant to the stressors. Do u folks think this will be enough. Please advise, thanks.

[Jay Johnson]

It should be more then enough honestly, but PTSD isn't easy to get these days. I wouldn't worry too much as I'm sure you'll win eventually through the appeals process. You may want to formally submit the letter from your CO as new evidence if you plan on a DRO. Also, you may want to cite "benefit of the doubt" if you feel the evidence in hand is already enough to weigh in your favor. Either way, keep digging for more info and start preparing as if you're going to the BVA.

[danang_1969]

Not all the facts but a good start:

If you are a combat veteran, and received any of the following individual decorations you can submit them as evidence of a stressful event:

Air Force Cross

Air Medal with "V" Device

Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device

Bronze Star with "V" Device

Combat Action Ribbon (CAR)

Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB)

Combat Medical Badge

Distinguished Flying Cross

Distinguished Service Cross

Joint Service Commendation Medal with "V" Device

Medal of Honor

Navy Commendation Medal with "V" Device

Navy Cross

Parachutist Badge with Bronze Service

Prisoner of War Medal

Purple Heart

Silver Star

PTSD may occur after a person has been exposed to a traumatic event in which the person experienced or witnessed an event that involved death, serious injury, or mass destruction. This could include events that occur in war, natural disasters, and acts of terrorism, crime or abuse. For veterans, in particular, stressful traumatic events include combat zones, peacekeeping missions, training accidents, disasters, medical emergencies, and assaults. These events cause the survivor to react with intense fear, helplessness, hopelessness and horror.

Symptoms of PTSD include, but are not limited to:

Recurrent, intrusive, and distressing thoughts about the event

Recurrent dreams, nightmares (sometimes called "night-terrors")about the event

Flashbacks (a sense of reliving the event)

Distress caused by reminders of the event (sights, sounds, smells)

Alienation, isolation, and avoidance of people and places

Emotional numbing

No sense of future

Survivor guilt (for having survived when others did not, or for behavior required for survival)

Difficulty falling or staying asleep

Anger and rage

Difficulty concentrating or remembering

Hyper-vigilant, or survivalist behavior

Exaggerated startled response (usually to loud noises)

These symptoms may lead to substance abuse or other self-destructive addictive behavior.