Hi

[Sarg]

Well, that's the VA way. Keep sending you to P-Docs until they get one that says there's nothing wrong with you. They did the same to me. Three C&Ps, the last negative. But I had preponderance of current treatment, citing "chronic, severe", Established service connection, ect., ect.

The main message here is...Don't Give Up! Often, they will low-ball you. If they do, it's a little known right, but within, I think it's 30 days, you can ask for a rating officer face to face. That way you can submit your evidence directly to a decision maker without automatically filing an appeal, that could take years before you get a hearing.

Let me know what happens, I may be able to point you to folks that may help.

Sarg

 

[Jimmy1]

well finished with my third pysch, finally did a 10 page packet covering if I do PTSD even though 2/2 pyschs have said I do. I am now waiting on a phone call so they can tell me the severity of it.

IMO PTSD is PTSD, yes there is a difference in the severity of symptoms, but I believe a lot of that has to do with the 'Stress Bucket' and how much good and bad stress is in their lives.

Right now you may have severe PTSD, but it is not always going to be like that. You see, if go and have enough therapy, eventually your symptoms diminish, unless you have a major stressful event in your life.

Right now my PTSD level if you want to call it that is 'Medium', yet last week it was hitting on severe, i.e. I was having some bad dreams, my hypervigilence was up, etc, etc, yet last night I slept like a baby for four hours, then another two.

This is why it sucks with the VA's around the world. My psych, who is an expert on PTSD and has been managing the PTSD unit here believes most people with PTSD should not be required to work a full time job, and if they do and feel up to it, there should be a caveat on their job description allowing sick leave should it be needed. Or else they should be paid a full pension by their respective VA's.

We have a case over here at the moment where in person the psych told the veteran that he should not be allowed to work as he is unstable, yet his report to the VA said he was quite capable of working full time. So we are recommending all veterans take a pocket recorder into assessments with either their doctors or their psychs.

You see, the problem is that the VA's don't want to pay, like any life insurance company, and the psych's want the work as the VA's pay top dollar.

Just my opinion.

 

[Sarg]

Wish the hell we could tape our sessions, Jimmy. It's illegal in some states and will not be considered evidence through the VA system. So, it winds up being "he-said, she-said" always against the Veteran.

We do have compensation for those who's disability prevents them from working, tho'. It's called Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability. That mouthful means one can get paid at the 100% level, if they have met certain criteria. The one thing not considered in this part of the discussion, is, the Veteran a danger to others? I don't mean punching someone in the face, I mean like driving a truck and having a panic attack.

Trying to run a power saw during a flashback? See what I mean?

The VA system has been worked over now for a hundred years, they got it sewed up no matter which way you turn.

Sarg

 

[Jimmy1]

I recently built a PC for an Ex-Aussie Navy bloke who is now an advocate. We were talking about modern warfare and how in the past the VA used to take claims on face value, you were in a conflict, you got accepted.

Now it's a totally different kettle of fish. Where as before you had infantry who served in Korea, 99% of them who claimed for PTSD, had PTSD.

For instance ever since the war on terror started things have been different. We had a cook in the Australian Army who took a turn on watch and got killed by an insider from the Afghan Army. Now, since then, anyone who deploys to Afghanistan can claim they were on watch and almost got killed by incoming and can claim PTSD.
You can have any person in the RAAF claim that while they were flying they were lazered, shots came at them and they thought they were going to die, when realistically he was safe and sound in the capital in an Embassy.
You can have a diesel mechanic in the engine room of a big ship in the gulf when they go to action stations claim he thought they were going to die because they were lit up by air to surface or surface to surface missiles when realistically he had hearing protection in and was at his action station with the engines.

Basically what he is saying is that in the past they used to take your word, now you have to prove it by diaries, ships logs, air crew logs, etc, etc. And this process is taking time.

Over here we also have different acts of parliament which give different benefits. And the Advocates, if they don't know what they are talking about can screw the veteran over by claiming under the wrong one.

So the whole process is BS.

And when you think about it, having to go through that whole process when your head is on fire is very daunting.

 

[PureangerPurecalm]

well after 3 pysch I am now officially diagnosed with PTSD.

 

[PureangerPurecalm]

I know it has been about 6 months, I have done all of my tests and now I was told they will not even look at my claims packet until July 1, the day I retire. I am on terminal leave right now and I don't know if I can go to the vet center here with any problems because the va is still "working." I have paperwork saying I have severe PTSD but not from the va. My dog has been keeping me calm, I didn't even know about the fact dogs can do that. My dog was doing that and then I found out from a psychologist that yes they can help you sometimes.

 

[BaMuoiBa]

Pure, good to see you back again.

Looks as if you have made some headway and still have a way to go. Here is where you'll have to "suck it up" as the waiting will work at you 24/7. I'm not sure if as active military the Vet Centers can see you - best bet is to give them a call.

Good luck we're here when you need to rant.

BTW - Thats why they refer to them as "mans best friend"

Ba

 

[Spock]

I know it has been about 6 months, I have done all of my tests and now I was told they will not even look at my claims packet until July 1, the day I retire. I am on terminal leave right now and I don't know if I can go to the vet center here with any problems because the va is still "working." I have paperwork saying I have severe PTSD but not from the va. My dog has been keeping me calm, I didn't even know about the fact dogs can do that. My dog was doing that and then I found out from a psychologist that yes they can help you sometimes.

Pure,
If you are not aware of this already, make sure you file a (Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claim via your service wounded warrior program, they should already have a VA rep working with you to do that. If not, specifically ask about it soonest. Your claim gets officially submitted - BEFORE - you retire. Instead of your VA file going to the end of the line for processing, it gets pre-screened to get you a summary adjudication, not that they'll make the deadlines but they are still accountable and your VA paperwork will get done immediately. Then you just wait for the adjudication process. Within 30 days of retirement you still can get in the Quick Start process.

http://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/general/BDDFactSheet.pdf

 

[PureangerPurecalm]

Pure,
If you are not aware of this already, make sure you file a (Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claim via your service wounded warrior program, they should already have a VA rep working with you to do that. If not, specifically ask about it soonest. Your claim gets officially submitted - BEFORE - you retire. Instead of your VA file going to the end of the line for processing, it gets pre-screened to get you a summary adjudication, not that they'll make the deadlines but they are still accountable and your VA paperwork will get done immediately. Then you just wait for the adjudication process. Within 30 days of retirement you still can get in the Quick Start process.

yes I turned in my BDD and completed my appointments this march. Now just waiting on the va to decide what they want to give me.

 

[Spock]

You're in good shape then, especially if the VA has already down the appts. I waited another year for them to adjudicate so don't get discouraged if it takes awhile. You'll still get paid back to the date of discharge. Good luck Pure

 

[PureangerPurecalm]

thanks spock

 

[Spock]

Get a state Vets Affair rep and get them involved now, they're your rep to the VA, or you can get a DAV rep, Amer Legion rep or a lawyer. It helps for the VA to know you have a rep looking after your (their) business since most vets don't have one. They may tend to their VA responsibilities better plus they know the tricks & the systems for you. The sad story is too many vets, esp the younger one's, are left to fend for themselves because they don't have mentors or know how to tackle this overwhelming system and they end up victims of the bureaucracy. That means an opportunity for an arrogant, low grade Crat to have too much influence, more influence than you, over your own case.

Get smart, know your rights

Best wishes!