Late Onset Ptsd Vietnam Vet

[hrVietNam69]

I am 61 years old and have just been given a 50% service connected disability from the VA. I am a combat veteran.

I have basically ignored all the symptoms all these years because I really didn't believe PSTD existed. I didn't understand that the anger, sleep problems and depression could possibly be related to my military experience. I thought this was life. I felt that you come back from war and take up life where you left off. What I didn't think about was that life could never be the same for me and I could never return to the place I was. It took me forty years to get here.

About 6 months ago, the bottom dropped out for me. I reached a place where I couldn't continue. It was triggered by an obnoxious boss, but the stage was set. I went into a depression so bad that it got the point I did not want to get out of bed. I went to my family doctor and she subscribed anti-depressants and some talk therapy. In the mean time, I just could not continue at my job so I quit.

I moved back to my home two states away and went to the VA for help. My VA rep helped me file a claim for medical and suggested I also submit a PSTD claim. Long and the short of it was I went to a C&P exam and two weeks later, I got a letter in the mail for the disability claim.

All I want now is to get some help and improve the quality of life for whatever time I have left (long time I hope). I am currently waiting for an appointment with a PSTD counselor. The medication has helped but I need more.

This has shaped my life and guided my destiny for far to many years. I want to change that.

 

[Zipperhead]

Hey hrViet, nice to see you over on this side.

 

[hrVietNam69]

Thanks Zipperhead for bringing this site up. I feel more comfortable here. Thanks again.....

 

[Jimmy1]

Welcome mate, I will be cheeky and say there are some other old fellows from your era on here that might be able to help, hey Sarg....
Apart from that pull up a chair. This forum changed my life. Any questions, ask away.

 

[K-9 Al]

Welcome! All vets here from all walks of life! Its a dysfuntional family but we are here for each other

 

[Ned]

Long road to get here. Anyway, hello and may the road lead to a better place.

 

[Lee C]

Welcome mate

 

[EOD96]

Welcome Hr!

 

[Sarg]

Hey, HR, my handle is Sarg and I too am a Nam Vet. Air Force, did some work over the Ho Chi Minh Trail along Cambodia and Laos. My story is a bit different in that I knew there was something wrong with me (I originally thought it was all the chemicals they poured over us constantly) went to the VA in 69' and was diagnosed with a "nervous disorder".

It's been a long, tough ride but somehow I've managed without winding up in prison, like so many of us did.

If there's anything I can do to help, just ask. I get great satisfaction out of help my fellow Vets.

Sarg

 

[reddevil1111]

Welcome. Sorry your here but it is a good place for help and friends. I hope we all find a day in the future where we can find a "cure" and regain what we lost. Untill then, I waited 20 yrs to figure thing out and it got rough and stayed that way. My advice is to spend some time reading the posts and definatly watch the video. Knowing your not losing your mind and then understanding whats happening is a great bit of info to have. -Red

 

[Jimmy1]

Hey HR. One of my mates was in the Cav in Nam. He go home and threw himself into building his house. He denied PTSD but suffered all the symptoms. His wife just ignored it, which happens.
He only last year did a PTSD course and it got me thinking. Maybe you did not have delayed onset, maybe you just refused to accept it and the symptoms were there all along. Maybe.
Just shooting the breeze.

Jimmy

 

[JarHed]

This has shaped my life and guided my destiny for far to many years. I want to change that.

Hey HR

I too am a Nam vet. I was there during Tet of '68, lotta' fun. I can relate to what you're saying and many of the things you've experienced are familiar to me as well. Welcome aboard.

As far as the VA is concerned, I'd also suggest you put in a claim for 'unemployability' as well. It might help the percentage rating a bit. It may take some time as well. You might want to check out some of the service organizations like the DAV, for instance, they can be a big help in working as an advocate with any claims you might put in.

The VA has just started a program called 'Prolonged Exposure' which is suppose to help those of us with PTSD. I'm just getting started with it. Got a thread around here about it also. Yeah, this thing has a way of coming back after a long time to haunt you in ways you never could imagine. Glad you're getting some help. This is a great site and the people are very supportive.

I'm just a bit older than you but I feel the same as well. I want the rest of the time I have to be better. Hope we both get our wish.

Jar