My Feelings On Paper

[Sabre]

Hi Guys
I am currently filling out my application for increase in Disability.
As I was writing this I didn't realise how bad I had gotten until I put it to paper.

PTSD has affect me and my life in a big way, at first I didn't think it would but now I see how it has. I tried to fight it but I feel I cannot win the fight any more.

6yrs on and I have found I my PTSD has got to a point that I could not control.
Worse than what it was when I was first assessed back in 2006.

I have found myself to what has been described to my as a positive / negative obsession with life, constantly thinking of the negatives in my life.
My personal life is a mess, I do not interact with my kids as much as I should and I do not spend quality time with wife that much now as well.

I do not want to get out of the house and do things with my family.
I would prefer to stay in close the blinds and shut myself away.

I show no emotion towards my kids when they are hurt or upset.
My youngest with Cerebral palsy needs my help but I tend to ignore him and get angry with him for no reason. It is not fair on him.

I do not sleep well, I am only getting about 4hrs of sleep a night and the nightmares have been constant for some time now.
I wake up with jerking motions and my wife has commented on my breathing how it is labored and strange.
I am now going to be loosing my Job that I have been in for 19yrs.
I am now having intrusive thoughts scared to travel.
I used to be a active and outgoing guy but now I feel alone and scared.
I am bitter and angry with the Defence force and life in general.
I worry more than I ever used to do.

I question how can I go with life if I cannot support my family.
I feel like a worthless man after getting PTSD.

Thoughts anyone. Do you think it will give the assessor an understanding of my issue, seeing as we don't get a chance to sit face to face with those that choose our level of disability

 

[Ned]

If you mean take the list along with you, yes, certainly. Do.

 

[Anglesachse]

Whether you are sitting opposite the person who decides or not, having it written down is allways a good idea, that way you do not forget anything that you wanted to say.

 

[Sarg]

Sabre, if I may, I'd like to offer some suggestions. First and foremost, one of the best informational sources for filing claims with the VA is www.hadit.com. IMO, they know more about VA regulations than the VA does and best of all, they are free. They're good folks, give them a try.

Next, you can also submit letters from your wife, coworkers and friends. It's important for them to "build" a picture of what you were like before and what you are like now. When I had coworkers write letters for me, I asked them to be "brutally honest", in other words be very graphic. Example; "Before Joe went to war he was very easy going, a real likable guy, now he explodes at the least little thing".

I'm not asking you to exaggerate anything, just make sure you get a very specific profile of yourself. You have to understand that the people at the VA that are going to look at this see hundreds of these narratives a week, so if you are vague, they'll pass right over you.

Most importantly, if you are turned down for your increase, DO NOT GIVE UP. The VA is under an extreme crush to get decisions out, between the Nemer claims and the claims of the folks coming back from the sandbox, so they pushing out decisions as fast as they can.

Good luck and if you have any more questions, feel free.

Sarg

 

[Jimmy1]

From what i can gather, the VA have already accepted your PTSD, its just a matter of getting you upgraded so you can discarge and go on to TPI and finally start trying to manage your life.

The shocking think I have found is the age of the young soldiers returning home psychologically f*cked.
With the new regime's out there, hopefully they can be caught, rounded up, given the therapy they need and then placed back in the work force. Oh what I would give to be one of those. I would trade anything.

 

[Sludge]

Definitely print that out and take it with you. I had to read that over a few times thinking: "Cheese and rice, I could have written that."

 

[Sabre]

Thanks guys for the replies.

As Jimmy said my PTSD is accepted already with Australian DVA I am at 60% but my advocate thinks I could get 100%
So I will,wait and see.

Jimmy has given me some good advice to make some areas more stronger with better wording.

I like the letters from wife and friends that's a good angle as well.