You should probably check out the combat ptsd forum. They might be able to answer any questions concerning your outprocessing.
Just to make sure you have everything for Veteran Affairs when you leave the military. The more evidence you have of your PTSD, such as written statements from Doctors, medical record evidence of insomnia, or Clinic visits with the reasons stated for your visit will help. The same goes for ANY injuries you received. Even if you broke a toe, or finger during manditory "fun day", it needs to be recorded in your medical records. Even if it doesn't hurt, make a trip to the Clinic and inform a Doctor of your previous injury. If it is recorded in your medical records, you will have evidence for Veterans Affairs.
Once you strip off that uniform, your word doesn't count for nothing. You need evidence. You may not have problems now, but as you age you may develop arthritis or bone loss. In my case, I discovered after I retired from the military that a concussion I received during a "fun day" was not annotated in my medical records, even when I took an ambulance ride and was hospitalized for three days for it. My therapist tells me she wishes she could have read the medical information about this event, but now its lost forever.
Also, make sure you have copies of all your deployment orders for EVERY place you have been. Some deployment areas may be discovered to have been toxic to military members due to exposure to something that "glows" or something in the water years later. If you can't prove you were there, Veteran Affairs will not help you. (You can talk to some of the agent orange vets for this. You can also talk to family members on certain bases that had high concentrations of toxins in the water on base.)
Don't rely on a computer copy of this information. Make sure you have the HARD COPIES. I have run into veterans who have discovered that their medical records were lost, destroyed, or electronically corrupted. Remember, hard copies. Its ok to piss off the administrative personnel at the hospital to get copies. They aren't seperating from the military, you are. Hospital administration personnel aren't going to be standing in the long lines at Veteran Affairs fighting for your benefits, you are. You need to be taking care of your needs.
I hope this helps.
Good Luck and Thank you for your service,
Ruth
