From a member: I am a 5 year Army veteran who did 12 months in Iraq in 2004-2005. I was attached to an Infantry unit while I was deployed and was sent on many missions with them. During my time over there I was in Baghdad, Taji, I assisted with the Battle of Najaf, and I was in the Battle of Fallujah. I saw and participated in direct combat and left with everything that entails. I was also in a vehicle accident during my tour that resulted in permanent nerve damage. When I returned home the only place I felt safe was alone in my garage. I started having a constant headache and was unable to sleep, usually needing to drink to quiet the noise in my head. My battle told me I needed to go into the VA and get checked out, but I resisted because I had all my fingers and toes while I had seen my brothers lose so much more than that. I finally went in late 2005 and sought help with both physical and mental issues. I was diagnosed with PTSD, Major Depression, and Bi-polar disorder. With the help of sponsor through the Vet Center, I submitted my disability paperwork in Dec 2005. In March 2006, my pregnant wife had a heart attack while we were having lunch and I performed CPR on her until paramedics arrived. She was in a coma for months until my child was able to be birthed and died immediately afterward. During all of this I received a letter from the VA denying my claim for PTSD and depression stating that it was due to my wifes condition. I was ready to *comment censored* but was so exhausted from what was going on that there was no way I could take on anything else. My sponsor submitted an appeal for me and after 9 months of no response I called for an update. I was told that the wait time for processing was 16+ months. That was a NoGo. I contacted my local representative and within a month I received an approval for 30% for PTSD. I fought this with little avail, but when I moved states a year later I was approved for a higher rating within months. After many appeals and persistence I’m at 100% P&T. I am currently fighting (beginning mid 2011) with Social Security about disability benefits and am at my wits end. It’s even making me question whether I have issues of if they are all in my head. I have appealed twice; the last appeal included citations from their own requirements guidebook (CFR 20) aligned with the DSM-V and my own medical records and 2 witness statements. I have tried contacting the VA, the DAV and my local VSO but they all say that they don’t offer any help on SS. I have written a letter to my local Representative over a month ago and called his office, but haven’t heard even a reply that they received it, let alone a response on the issue. I don’t even know anymore…
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 18:16:15 +0000
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