Us Va Deceptive Tactic - Tbi Vs. Ptsd

[Sarg]

Kevin, has the 60 days expired since you denial! If not, to preserve your claim date and not have to reopen your claim, you need to file a Notice of Disagreement. You do not need a special form, a plain sheet of paper will suffice and it can be hand written. If your handwriting is as bad as mine and print it out. Simply state that you disagree with the rating official's determination and that you intend to appeal the decision. Be sure to include your "C file" number. It will be a capital letter C- and then some numbers. Sign it, date it and if you're right down to the wire on time, and you can drive to your Regional office and have it date stamped, they should give you a copy.

Gather your service records, med records and everything you have sent always make copies..

Then go to www. hadit.com . There are ladies and gents there that know VA rules and regs backward and forward. They will assist you in putting together an appeal.

Be advised, tho', appeals now are taking several years to go through the system. But if your appeal is properly organized with help from hadit and use of their own regulations, It could go through quicker.

Good luck!

Sarg

 

[william]

I get 100% from the VA for PTSD. That being said, I see no money as I received a large separation package from the army. So until 2021 I get no money. I had to go through civilian government for SSID to get any compensation, as I have been fired from two jobs for fighting. I am told by my doc that I am unable to work for the rest of life, because of the PTSD and the headaches. Well, fine then, but I will always try to find the right combo to get better.
Besides I love to work with computers. It is a real passion for me, why would I want to give up 3600 dollars for 900 dollars.
I personally don't understand malingering. To me it makes no sense. As for TBI, I refused to tell them about the artillery stuff, because I was told not to in 2003 by a friend. They still will not admit for us Kfor vets or for you guys coming from OEF OIF that we were exposed to chemicals. I really hate the Government, and wtf about General Eric Shinseki. He was our commanding general in Sfor/Kfor, you would think he would stick up for us more. I guess that's what is called leading from the rear. After all he gave my Beret away to the entire Army.

 

[MikeyPiro]

Kevin,

You also do not have to have a lawyer take on your claim. There are a number of service organizations that can help you maneuver the system for claims. The VFW, American Legion, Vietnam Vets of America will all take on your case and help you get your review. It will take a while, but they offer these services to Veterans free of charge.

 

[william]

Several lawyers are also hired by the government to do these services. I know Karl Demoulet was the person who took my case this is in ohio. He was hired by the state of Ohio to help veterans.

 

[kevinmc]

OK I have been going to a vet center for counciling.
As I understand it they cannot administer medications. I am looking for something that works that isn't narcotic "like". So my question is mainly two fold.
What do you recommend for sleep? I have heard Trazadone?
And do I need to go to the VA or do they arrange that at the vet center?
Does a disability rating need to be established first? I have been concerned about approaching the VA because it will become a matter of record and I have enough against my employment history without adding a disability.
I work in the medical field so this complicates my diagnosis.
Once I am stereotyped under the PTSD stamp I am not certain I can retain my licence or if it is a mater of public record. (To be honest I would not hire myself knowing what I know about me and have myself assess to narcotics with the relapse rate of PTSD clients)
If anyone knows the answer to any of these questions I would certainly appreciate a little more advise.

 

[Ned]

Kevin, have a look at what FUBAR has to say regarding Cypralex breaking the anxiety 24/7 thing.
My GP put me on a course of Cypramol (UK version) and I'll endorse everything FUBAR says.
It gave me the wiggle-room to let my own head start working on things.
I was really worried about the profesional thing too, but honestly the only reaction I encountered was 'fair enough, mate'.
I know there's arseholes out there who will diss you for it but if it wasn't that it'd probably be something else.......

 

[Sarg]

First off, Mikey, one has to be very careful in picking a VSO to represent them. Far too many of them are very cozy with the VA, working in the same building off-times only doors away from rating officials. Many times the really good ones are so busy that they can't take on another claim. In the thirty years it took me to get properly rated, I went through three different service orgs. and finally wound up taking over my own claim and working it. I won, but it was a rough road.

Kevin, I can't speak highly enough of the Vet Center. Please consider them for continuing therapy. Yes, in order for you to get meds for PTSD you'll have to enroll in the VA health care system. Yes, the folks at the Vet Center can tell you exactly how to get enrolled. No, you do not have to have a rating to go to the VA Medical Centers. As a medical professional, you surely should be aware that all treatment with the VA falls under HIPPA rules and regulations. No one but you will even know you are receiving care at the VA.

The responsibility falls to you to determine if your PTSD will conflict with your occupation or license to practice. On the plus side, I can refer you to a Veteran on another Vet board that was a practicing mental health professional for many years after his
PTSD diagnosis. I personally worked my entire career with a PTSD (or the ancient equivalent) diagnosis. It was difficult and I did not rise to the level of professionalism (registered Engineer) that I had set my goal for. About the time my career started to fall apart, I was rated properly by the VA and didn't lose my home or anything like many do.

I do not make recommendations on VA medications. I have a great deal of "heartburn" over some of the, and I will use what I think to be the proper designation for said drugs, poison, that I was prescribed by the VA. I will say if you are prescribed a medication by the VA, investigate it very thoroughly before taking it.

If I may be of further assistance, let me know

Sarg

 

[william]

I take restoril for sleep. It is gentle in getting you there, and then gives you eight hours give or take. I also use valarian root. Valarian stinks and tastes bad so in pill form is the best. Some other things to try along with this is to drink hot tea, herbal, and make sure to cup your hands around the cup as this adds to the sleep sensation.

 

[Jimmy1]

We are sort of going off on a tangent here. There is a sleep thread which we can all add to to help.

Link Removed

 

[Dennis Sutton]

I am a Vietnam combat veteran who has suffered PTSD and Depression chronically since 1971. I stumbled across this board and after reading some info here I decided I should join, and in hopes of being helpful offer my advice. I served in Vietnam with a small outfit which operated inside Cambodia and along the border area from the Mekong to the Parrots Beak Triangle. My job was to destroy the Trail and kill anyone that was in front of me. I worked with the 7th ARVN Airborne Rangers and mainly performed small covert ops. I have suffered from PTSD, Guilt, and Depression since 1974. It hit me out of the blue. I do suffer some head trauma after being blown up from 122mm rockets. I am deaf and have 2 hearing aids. What caught my eye here is the advice and the way the advice was given by the administrator, Anthony. (NO OFFENSE) I just believe that you Anthony are giving out wrong advice or you are not informative. What you say is not clear and has a large gap from one sentence to another. I again say I am not trying to be attacking or offensive and I do appreciate your intention. I just think your statements must be defined and said differently. If this did not affect fellow vets I would say nothing and let it pass, but, what you say is important and must be said with the utmost thought beforehand.

 

[Sarg]

Dennis,

Our founder, Anthony has a full plate as it is, so, if you feel that the information could be addressed differently, present what you would think as being a better way and we'll all benefit from your wisdom. Another aspect is Anthony is Australian, and tho' we share the same language, we sometimes express things differently. I don't think of it as being better or worse, just different.

So, welcome to the site, pull up a chair and join in.

Sarg

PS, I'm not British, just my computer.

 

[Spock]

OK Dennis, I found the thread you were referring to and it is a bit dated. Anthony was commenting on an article on clinical events so that is where the gist, the meat, of his point was provided. I just retired in 2010 and the article, which may no longer be available, seems to addressed something I lived and was right in the middle of...DoD, & the military services did indeed, recklessly and many times with malice, push out combat injured to reduced cost. It is a primary source for the current suicide bomb we're dealing with and all Service wounded warrior programs are under scrutiny, after the recent Rand study, to show Congress how they intend to address this issue.

As for the VA & TBI, the comments do seem dated and unclear but I understand Anthony's basic premise. Current (and past) VA failures validate his point, although I, and several others, recently received both TBI & PTSD diagnosis. So, I understand if you have issue with part of that. There is a big gray area here, it is not black & white.

I agree with Sarg, that this is where your comments, all of our comments collectively, help each other, especially anyone with similar questions. It is good for you to offer another opinion but the forum would better benefit from details, more facts. What it is you can clarify regarding these topics.

Thanks for chiming in...welcome to the forum. Stay safe, stay strong!