Emerg Services Vsos

[Stacieamy]

I've just spent some time with a VSO and we filed an "intent to file" with VA. I came out of that meeting not feeling too great and then my anxiety went a bit nuts later on. What I'm wondering is how common is it for you to bare your soul to a VSO for the purposes of filing a claim and to sit there and listen to them make comments that are not put in a disrespectful way, but are obviously quite ignorant.

For example, I am diagnosed with PTSD, Generalized, Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, and Depressive Disorder NOS. I mentioned that I have a great therapist at VA, I am taking meds that are working very well, and that my dog is helping me immensely is the reason that I was able to even be there at all. He made a comment that because I am doing better that they may not do anything for the Agoraphobia. Then, when I explained that my therapist described my PTSD as cumulative because of an incident that happened while I was deployed with a soldier's suicide and two episodes in AIT of MST; he said "not to sound cold, but is that it?".
Are you f*cking kidding me?!

This guy is obviously not educated in the field of psychology; as a senior working on my BS in Psychology, I have more knowledge. Yet, he felt qualified to make the distinction regarding my agora? Just because a diabetic is responding well to their meds and are controlling their blood sugar doe snot make them suddenly cured or any less diabetic. Anxiety disorders are the same way. As for the MST, I would certainly venture that he has never been raped. Also, when he gave me the PTSD claim form to fill out, he only talked about filling out the one incident for witnessing a suicide. He actually crossed out the section for "stressful incident #2". So, does he think that we are going to pretend that the MST didn't happen??? I did that for 17 years. f*ck that!

Anyone else have these types of responses from VSOs?

 

[Sweetpea76]

The rating system makes no sense to anybody but the VA pukes. I think they keep it confusing and horrible to make things easier to fudge when THEY screw the pooch.

Blowing off the MST is bullshit, but was it possible that you already maxed the rating? My vet is poly-trauma, and they don't have him rated for all his injuries because he is already 100% total and permanent IU.

Not that it excuses that kind of treatment, but it may be their reasoning.

 

[Myanxietyhasanxiety]

Wow @Stacieamy. On behalf of his ignorance and his insensitivity I apologize. I physically get ill just thinking about my personal experience and how I was treated during my process.

Fortunately, I had a great civilian psychiatrist and therapist at the time that spelled it all out for them, but that happened after I felt victimized all over again forcing me to spill the nightmares in detail in my head. That was even with stacks of medical evidence and years of documentation of the whole process.

The whole experience was re-traumatizing and afterwards I ended up institutionalized and couldn't speak for 2 days.

Then when I received my "award", it felt like blood money.. so I pretended like I was better, i lied to myself that I was fine, i could do it, if i could have afforded to live on my own I would have never went back again, so that I would never had to go through another evaluation again.... it was only after my appointment I began to rage out on those close to me. Then my daily panic attacks, flashbacks, disassociate turned into hourly sometimes ever few minutes. I debated suicide. I started to fantastize about giving up.

Then I got pissed. Really really pissed. But pissed enough to not let them "win". Not let them get away and scare me, treat me like Im making shit up, treat me like a liar, assassinate my character, question my validity. I was getting the money my daughter was entitled too. Because it wasn't about me anymore, she didn't have her mom back. I wasn't the same after combat. At least I could give her a little bit of security in having the money to meet her needs.

It felt like being violated all over again. I decided that I'm not going be their "victim"

So I turned that rage, and used it as fuel. I filed complaints against the everyone that abused me along the way. I demanded to work with a different VSO. I armed myself with files and stacks of documentation.

In the end, I was awarded 100% T&P.

I don't tell you this to upset you, just being real. I'm sorry you are going through some the same experiences I dealt with. It's such a tragedy. Because most who suffer, isolate and refuse, or deny their suffering, so when forced to talk about it, it rips open wounds. This is a disgrace. Then to get minimized.... sickens me.

Still unsure how I feel about it... yeah I have 100% but it feels like it came at a very big price. But, damn them if they were going screw over another vet. PTSD almost took my life, it took my whole view of the world, it took my happiness, it took my ability to be social. I wasn't going let it take it anymore.

Your not only entitled, you deserve your claim!

 

[Friday]

I avoid the VA like the plague... But I had a thing last winter I had to go do to take care of some old BS that was in a few different parts. In each section? Was instructed by counsel to keep my focus extremely narrow. They would be, and I would be. This piece, only. That piece only. It was an incredibly difficult and surreal experience. There was very good reason for it, however. Several reasons, actually. Some to my benefit, some would be problems we'd have to address in a different way, or they'd f*ck me if allowed to stand. Same thing dealing with JAG way back when. They weren't looking for after action reports, they weren't looking for what was relevant much less the whole story. They wanted only the parts they wanted. And those parts? Fawk. Backwards, forwards, sideways... But always in a damn vacuum.

So my knee jerk would be to ask him why he's not including the MST. There may be good reason (or at least a military reason, like different form), or it may be assumed (and the other form already attached, ran into that problem before), or he may have just gotten hipped on the suicide & missed it. Either way, straight up asking him would give you an answer.

 

[Forgetful]

As a former VSO for 12 years with the American Legion, yearly refresher course.were required. I don't know if that.is true.for other veteran groups. I was taught to list any and all issues the veteran is filing for.compensation

MST should be listed. VSOS are there to guide and assist you with your claim. They can't make any promises or guarantee. By saying you should not claim MST he is essentially doing the VA's job. The only reason i could see why he said that would be lack of evidence.

Did you report the offense to anyone at the time (commandING officer, doctor or chaplain etc so it went into your personel and/or medical records

Without those records it will be very difficult to prove service connect.

Every state and most counties have VSO'so that have had more extensive training. If you have a current copy of the VA Benefit book have the state VSO names and phone # in the back. If not, look on the VA.gov site.

 

[Stacieamy]

The rating system makes no sense to anybody but the VA pukes. I think they keep it confusing and horr...

I have a 0% rating on my knees. That's it.

 

[Stacieamy]

Wow @Stacieamy. On behalf of his ignorance and his insensitivity I apolog...

That pissed me off even more. I intend to use my psych degree to work with vets and to be an advocate. I will jump to defend injustices and don't care who gets pissed off or offended, so long as it's fixed. Being violated by the VA drives me even more.

 

[Stacieamy]

As a former VSO for 12 years with the American Legion, yearly refresher course.were required. I don't know...

As a former VSO for 12 years with the American Legion, yearly refresher course.were required. I don't know...

This guy is with Missouri Veteran's Commission. The intent to file has been sent. Would it cause me problems to go to another VSO? I belong to VFW and American Legion. I am thinking that I may be better off with one of them.

 

[Sweetpea76]

Go to the VFW. They helped my vet.

 

[Forgetful]

@Stacieamy I would call 1 and ask them. I haven't been involved in that position for 5 years now so things may have changed. While I was involved other VSO typically wouldn't help once claims were filed but you only filed an intent not a claim. Am I reading that right? I think you'll get a better answer if you ask a.current VSO as things change all the time and I haven't stayed current.

Just to make you aware claims for service connection take a long time. 1 + years. During this time you will be evaluated by a VA doctor, and I encourage you to gather as much evidence you can. They will get your medical records.

Don't get dismayed. It is a long process. Which ever VSO you use will fight for you and go through this with you including the appeal process if needed. Regardless of how long it takes, if you're awarded service connection at a compensated rate you'll receive back pay from the original filing date.

 

[Stacieamy]

Yes, it was just an intent and I know that it takes a long time. I'm just wondering if this behavior is typical. I am sensitive to be blown off and to have my experiences belittled. It's just happened to me too many times. I'm so sick of being screwed over, but at the same time, I don't want to overreact.

 

[Forgetful]

I haven't encountered anyone with that behavior before but I have limited exposure with VSOs from other organizations. I have only worked with American Legion and briefly DAV and only within NJ.

My advice would be to fill out the parts of the claim in the office that don't have anything to do with your trauma. Then take the form home to complete the trauma portions. This way you don't have to recount it to anyone else and it allows you to do it in amounts as you are able. When you have finished make a copy for yourself and a copy for the VSO (if they want one for their records, some do, some don't).

Keep a copy of ALL papers sent to the VA. They are notorious for losing claims and claiming they didn't receive parts.I think it's done to delay the process as long as possible. Be aware, most of their correspondence is time limited.

Good luck with the claim. I hope it goes well and quickly for you. Maybe you can ask your therapist to help you with the trauma sections.