Hello

[ADOLPHE STEPHENS]

I am new to the forum, served in IRAQ, Korea, Germany, and Saudi Arabia. Got out the regular ARMY and joined the full time guard. Had two DWI one before I went to Iraq and another when I returned. I have 17.5 years of service and now the ARMY is trying to put me out without any benefits. I was diagnosing with PTSD after leaving a 28 day AA program and then a two month PTSD program at Arkansas VA. The first day back at work they tried to get me to sign a voluntary separation, I went to IG. That was in March, next they tired an involuntary separation but I keep finding things in the reg that puts a temporary stop to their action. No Lawyer in the military will touch my case. I talked to a couple but at first they say there are new rules for the way we treat Soldiers with PTSD, let a day go by and the two Military Lawyers I had will say there is no change. So far I've found ACTs 511, and 512 that tell them they have to give me a Medical examine before my exodus from the Military. I hope I can find some more ACTs or Regulations to help my case. My condition is just getting worse. If any of you guys have had to fight this battle let me know of any new rules or laws I may not have on PTSD.

 

[Jimmy1]

Hey Wolf, welcome to the Forum. The first thing I would ask you to do is to change your Font colour. Using xenFracture's default colour is best.
I cannot read it.

Jimmy

 

[Fargo1]

Greetings Wolf,

Unfortunately I have no advice on the PERSMAN. But don't let them kick you out without a fight. Remember your Senator and Representative. Get all of the ducks you do have in a row. Don't only use the military doctors recommendations, go out and get second, third and fourth opinions, then write a big long hairy letter spelling it all out to your elected officials (it does really help if you voted last term as well). I have found that once their people start sniffing around, things start changing fast. Of course there is a lot of CYA, so you really need those ducks in a row first.

Good luck!

 

[deborah l. boylan]

Hello Wolf,
I'm going through something similar with the Navy. They can't put you out until they hold a Physician's Evaluation Board and a Medical Evaluation Board. You are entitled to have an attorney represent you. They must assign a JAG to you to help you with the process and represent your interests, not the Army's. This is a lengthy process and can take up to a year or more. The PEB and MEB will determine if you are fit to return to duty or need to be separated. You will go through a complete physical. Get official copies of all of your medical and mental health records. This will be gone over by the board. Since you already have a diagnosis of PTSD and it is related to your deployments, even if they decide to separate you, you will be entitled to benefits and treatment for the PTSD and any other disabilities that are military related. Get everything documented in your medical record. The Army will give you a disability rating and the VA will give you another one. The two don't always match. Talk to a VA representative and they can guide you on how to begin the process. Again, this takes a long time. Don't sign any paperwork without having your attorney go over it with you! You didn't come into the Army with PTSD and you are entitled to be taken care of because of it. Don't let them cheat you out of what you earned.

In the mean time, take care of yourself. I know that somedays it feels like it would be better to just let it all go, but you have rights that you sacrificed for and you deserve to be taken care of. Like I've said on another stream, even people in the military don't understand about PTSD. We work in a society that says "Just get over it and move on!" Well, that ain't so easy to do when the beast is riding you. I hope good things for you. Take care.

Iraqrn