(Caution: Long and Rambling Response)
First of all, my thanks to each who responded, after all it was me that asked for help and I appreciate the time and energy to respond. I think I have learned more in this couple of weeks than in years at other places.
I feel that maybe some additional information will help those concerned enough to respond.
I was diagnosed with PTSD by a VA Hospital in Topeka KS, on 21 Oct 91. The Hospital suggested I go to the DAV VSO at the hospital. The individual did practically nothing, but claimed nobody got rated for PTSD in his experience, and decided that a testical removal and a fractured wrist years ago in the military, were the tickets. Essentially the VA got the claim and basically said "so what? Fast forward years to 2004, I have a near fatal heart attack and decide to see if the VA considers that of any consequence, so I contact a county VA rep with my stories. He funbles thru forms, gives me several, and says fill these out and send em in. I tried to get some guidance from him on the forms, he let me know that his job was finished when he handed me the forms. Further attempts to speak with him as well as emails, were fruitless.
I put in for disability for diabetes, due to agent orange, expecting to get maybe 10 percent, was elated when they gave me 20 for diabetes, 10 for each leg neuropathy. Everyone claimed I was hard of hearing, so put in for tinnitus, hearing loss, and PTSD, on the advice that since I had served in RVN, it was automatic. I got 10 on the tinnitus, service connected but 0 percent on the hearing loss and disapproval of PTSD due to no verified stressor. I then became aware of ED and Coronary Artery Disease being accepted as secondary to diabetes, so applied for them, still pending. Been to C&P months ago, may hear any day now.
The disapproval of the PTSD was a shock to me, the VSO nor what I read indicated there would be a problem. I am getting paid 40% (acually added are 50)VA which is of course taken right out of my retirement pay, plus, now note the first word of this, COMBAT Related Special Compensation! Since Congress had made provisions for a soldiers lay statements to be sufficient proof of stressor, it finally dawned on me that the VA asks you to prove that you were "engaged in combat".
So what is the point (I guess I am supposed to have one). I have managed to get a combined total of 50% despite the total lack of "help". I am about to celebrate my 70th birthday, bad heart, and feel abused by the system. I "trusted" a medic to record my wounds in my health record. The mess ups by the VA in the last couple of years are worthy of a book. I guess I feel that if I want it done right, I got to do it myself.
I am NOT ignoring or dismissing the multiple advice to get a GOOD VSO. I have had a post on this forum for days asking how to get a good one, not even ONE RESPONSE! It appears nobody else knows how to do it either, based on the numerous people that have had the same problems with them that I have. I have been online, found out that to be a VSO, all you need is one simple short VA Form 21, no ability to even run a computer or any qualifications whatever. I think that is why we get the great range of people from the lowest that I have managed to get associated with, to people like Dave, who is definitely driven to understand, aid, and assist veterans. He has helped me lots, yet he gets not a dime from me or anyone else for doing it. I emailed the AMVETS asking for help in finding a VSO, not even the courtesy of an answer! I live in an isolated part of the country, isolated from VA Hospitals and stuff at least. I am trying to find help, but this forum is the best I have been able to do so far, that and hiring anyone that will work for me to help.
OK, soap box removed, somebody else's turn now.

Sorry to hear you are having a bad time C130. I wanted to share some medication information with you, but I know there are some rules somewhere controlling that, just can't find them when I need them. (No alzheimers remarks please now). I had a very similar experience, and anyway, I guess it is safe to at least say, during the couple weeks until they gave me triple the dose of the new med, I was for the first time in my life truly suicidal. VA did not want to see me for several weeks, fortunately a local nurse practioner took immediate action.
Is it OK to say what med it was or not?

HI Schwanke,

I think probably not in this instance, cause it would be to close to being interpreted as 'recommending'.

But, I've been on EVERYTHING in the formulary at the VA, plus several combos of those things, and no we're on the 'outside formulary' track... some have made it worse, some have simply done nothing at all, some have had success on some level, but severe side effects.

As for the VSO == you've explained one of the common issues people have in some locations.

One suggestion, try calling the National Organization Headquarters of some of the service organizations, such as AMVETS, American Legion, DAV, V.F.W. etc etc, they can direct you to local reps in your area who have experience with the PTSD VA claims.

I would interview 'potential VSO's the same way you would a potential employee, before you let them submit your paperwork... Given that you've had so many problems.

I didn't have to fortunately, but that way you don't get hosed yet again.

quote:

I am NOT ignoring or dismissing the multiple advice to get a GOOD VSO. I have had a post on this forum for days asking how to get a good one, not even ONE RESPONSE!

Well Schwanke, this is how I did it: After starting claim on my own for about a year, and receiving 10% PTSD NON SC, I was advised to drive 80 miles to Chicago see a VSO. In the VARO building, there is an office for each VSO of each Veterans Org (VFW, DAV, Legion etc.) Also, at the very large VAH where I go, they have floor that has many VSO offices in a similiar manner.

Every Vet I talked to had a different opinion of these VSO's based on their personal experience. Two Vets would tell me to go see Mr. Smith, that he was the best, and won their claims.... then... other Vets would say they had Smith but he couldn't help them, so they told me to go see Mr. Jones and that he was the best...and won their claims... and so on..
I was being spun around.
So I went to the VARO building, to where the VSO's were and walked in the first door. The VSO seemed very knowledgable and confidence inspiring, so I signed a release of info and all he wanted me to do was write a stressor letter, I did and I gave him a copy. I would call occasionally and get no answer, or the answer would be, "we're working on it". After about a year, I went to another VSO, who was employed by the VA in Washington, but worked from a State of Illinois Dept.of Veteran Affairs office here. He told me he could win my claim with no problem...I signed another release of info. I continued to gather evidence on my own, and have him put it in my C-File......
After about another year of wondering WTF and difficulty of getting a hold of him to find where my case stood, I went back to Chicago to see the VFW State of Illinois Service Officer. I met with his asst., and after talking to him, with what I had learned in the last two years, I knew, that he knew what he was talking about. I signed another release of info. Through each step of the process, he told me how long it would take and he was always right. He was also was easy to get hold of, by phone. He or his secretary would answer the phone. It took some time, as was expected, but he came through...50% SC.

Had I started with him, I may have won 2-3 years sooner. He was promoted to a higher level position with the state, and was no longer a VSO.

I then went to another VSO to appeal and immediately was denied with a ridiculously worded denial statement with no basis on fact!
I exhausted all appeals, hired a lawyer, and got 100% PTSD SC in 18 months.

I had all verifiable stressor evidence, plus Medical evidence Proving PTSD from combat, based on years of therapy, tests with 3 different GAF scores in the thirties and much more substantial evidence. They can screw me and/or stop my claim dead in its tracks,(with a no decision) even though I have the Law on my side.
Law? They are the law, and when they break the law, who can you call? The police?

I know and know of Vets around here that have Silver Stars, multiple Purple Hearts (one Marine I knew in my group had five PH's) and ALL have had the same difficuly as I have with the VA. In those days, we Nam Vets recognized three enemies: The VC, the NVA, and the VA.
I have heard things are better now and what I just stated is based on my personal experience from over ten years ago....Flash

Thanks for taking the time and energy to share all that Flash. I guess you are saying there is no "Easy Button" to push and get home free cards are not issued?
I am over 300 miles from a VA hospital as well as the VARO, and I guess that a RO is where the VSO types love to hang out.
What I was trying to point out in my rambling post, is that if the ONLY answer to PTSD problems is to get a VSO, then we would not have this forum, only a large set of words saying "GET A VSO". I would love to have some help, on a fee basis or not, but I believe that a well informed veteran is still a major aid to a successful claims processing person, and a poor VSO is MUCH WORSE than none at all. You have just verified that feeling.
I have been secretly amassing questions to ask of a VSO this time. One of the first is to ask him to pull up my case on his computer (now that I know he should be able to do that). I am going to ask him WHERE he is going to go for documents to help my claim (since I now know about places he can get that information). Most of all, since I have become better informed, I will be able to tell if he is actually someone that may help. I am not worried about p===ing him off if he is one of the non action types, who needs him.

You're welcome.
Wow, and I thought I was far away! Initially ,I was driving back and forth, and then commo became by phone or mail.

There was no easy button for me, and many I know.. but it may be easier for you. You are much better informed than I was, when I started.
Also, the Chicago RO at the time was the worst in the country.

I also did not know Dave when I started or have the resourses of a computer.

I would like to say "Go drive that 300 miles and interview all the VSO's at your RO." but can honestly say "I don't know".

I think if I could go back with what I know now, I would 'interview' many VSO's instead of picking the first one I came too.

I also was in a PTSD group that gave me much needed support to go on with my claim, but not much help in finding a good VSO....Flash

The difference between RO is another topic completely, would be nice to shop for ones that worked faster at least.
I recently sent my WWII vet friend to my rather worthless VSO (the only one around to my knowledge) for help with hearing loss. Seems that Houston RO will not issue hearing aids for non VA disability rated vets, but Wichita will, so he is submitting it to the Wichita RO. Might be BS, but my friend is getting his hearing aids, and has not even submitted a claim yet!

Schwanke, I'll try to keep this to the point. I tend to ramble on.

Like Flash said, I took to the first VSO someone told me about. He was a total dud. Took me almost a year to find that out, because I didn't know enough to judge.

I started asking Vets when I went to the VA hospital who they recommend. I started hearing one name pretty often. A woman in Providence.

I'm fortunate I realize, after hearing how far you live from an RO. I'm 27 miles from the VRO, and representatives of everey branch of SO. The Hospital is three miles down the road, and there is an AMVET rep there, and a DAV office. There are weekly visits by all the other reps at the hospital.

At the Regional Office, 5 offices were right beside each other, Leigon, DAV, AMVETS, VFW and Vietnam Veterans.

On the same floor was the rating office, the apppeal board, and the Senate Representative.

OK, so you don't have that convience. But what I did was talk to all the Service Officers. I asked them how they would approach my claim. I listened, judged body language, listened to how they talked to people on the phone, looked to see if they seemed to like what they were doing or were they frustrated and marking time.

I had signed Power of Attorney to one group, but changed it after I talked to all five. While two or three seemed intelligent and capable, one stood out to me. Like Flash said, her phone was always answered, and she returned calls. (Not always as soon as I would have liked, but when she had relevant information.)

As I've been in the system now for 8 or 9 years, I see all the pitfalls. In Massachusetts, every town over a certian population is required by law to have a Veterans Rep. Most of those people turn over very quickly. If they stay in the system, or step up to a SO job with a National Org, they learn more.

I'm sure you can tell when someone knows what they are talking about. You've gotten the run around enough. You want someone who will tell you the truth, even if you don't like it, or what they tell you is a pain in the butt. If you don't have a feeling of trust for that person, it's hard to work with them.

As far as I know, almost every Legion Post, DAV, VFW, AMVETS posts all have a service officer. They aren't always the best, but they deal with professonal Service Officers all the time. Ask them for recommendations.

Find out what night the Legion meets, and go tallk to the person who is the service officer for that post. Same thing with the others.

I'm still wishing you luck Don. I know only too well what a pain in the butt this process is.

Remember what Dave said, you only lose when you quit.

Bill

I agree with you there. I feel that the most value of my knowledge is NOT what I can do myself, but what it allows me to better choose someone that can do the job. I am still searching.
I have time and money, have been thinking that perhaps a trip to the RO may be very productive for me. I sure like the thought of having someone located at the RO location too.

quote:

Flash: "Every Vet I talked to had a different opinion of these VSO's based on their personal experience."

As Walter Cronkite used to say "and that's way way it is.."

This topic thread is exactly what we need for all to review. Thanks to all who are posting on it. We are getting the message across.

I have given a lot of thought about the selection issue problems. You know, with computers it would be SO SIMPLE for the VA to simply publish a list of VSO with their type cases and percentage of success or such helpful information.
CAUTION: Do NOT hold your breath waiting for this to actually happen!

AH HA Schwanke, but you see, the VSOs do NOT work for the VA!

The VA would never publish a list of folks who are going to help money leave their pockets!

No, they don't. Neither does the local tax preparation individual work for the IRS, but the IRS still keeps a tally on the each of the tax preparation people.
I may seem paranoid, but I firmly believe that the VA actually LIKES substandard VSO's, and that is why they make qualifications to become one so low. After all, it is to their advantage to have less questions, easier to disapprove cases. There are many people that after having been given no help other than a pile of forms with no more guidance than instructions to fill them out and send them in, simply give up on the whole idea, again saving the VA lots more bucks. This actually saves the VA lots of bucks, so at least the MOTIVE is certainly there. I have had a couple of claims that lasted over 2 years, yet ALL the information was already at the VARO when submitted. There could not have been more then a few minutes of actual work time on the cases, but stacking them up saved lots of bucks. I refuse to believe that funding and manpower shortages are the real problem, if it were a little overtime and temp help would have them up to making decisions with realistic times.
I would not be surprised if at the RO, they have little red angry face stickers they place on the cases Dave is the VSO on - and smiley faces on the poor performers.

I hate to say this, but there is another bad side to these claims and VSO, and the VA.

Once you claim is approved, no one gives a comprehensive review of what all your benefits are at the time.

For instance, when I was rated 10% for PTSD, I was not informed that I was eligible to purchase life insurance from the VA.

After 1 year of being rated, you can no longer buy that insurance, unless you win another claim. It wasn't until years later, when I was rated at 70%, that I found out about this benefit.

I filed for the insurance, and was denied. I was told I had to file within that first year. Explaining that I wasn't informed by the VA didn't do me any good. I still have no insurance, and due to PTSD, no private insurance company will insure me.

It would take a huge stress off my wife if she knew there would be some insurance money for her if I died. As it is, if I died today, she would not get a portion of my VA benefit, because I have not been rated permanent and total for ten years yet.

There are so many thing the VA could do better. But as we see at Walter Reed Army Hospital, they can't even control the cockroaches, so what can I expect at home mailing in applications.

Some good, lots bad..... that's the VA.

Bill

It sounds like you got the shaft on that life insurance Bill

When I was approved 3 years ago, I got notification in the mail that I may be eligible for life insurance. I jumped at the chance. I was able to get it within a week of applying, and due to my status, I don't have to pay the premiums.

I can't life insurance either because of my PTSD... I recently applied through my insurance company (USAA) when we got this house, and after having to go through the trauma (and yes, it was VERY anxiety creating, and stressful) of having a male doctor whom I never met appear at my home and draw my blood and take urine sample, after they got my VA medical records, I was denied coverage. This just a few months ago. ((and the VA is trying to say I'm "fine" even though everyone else feels I'm too sick to insure, and I can't even get on my husband's group plan, without having to add an extra 200.00 per month to his premiums that his company won't cover).

I was lucky though... I found out 11 months after I got out of the air force, that I could convert my SGLI, into VGLI, for 20 bucks a month. So I kept my 250,000 policy. We recently reduced it to 180,000, because can't even afford the 20, and can afford 15.

The bad thing is though, it's Term, and premiums will go up exponentially as I get older... the other policies I've tried to get are whole life, and premiums level off.

It's almost as if we have cancer how PTSD people are treated, and yet, most of us feel as if we look outwardly scar-free, and should suck it up (atleast I do somedays), but by all indications from medical and insurance powers that be, we're very ill folks... so why does the VA keep trying to boot us out the door?

For the most part, I'm satisfied with my medical and mental health care at the VA... ours here is actually above average in my opinion -- and I've seen and worked at some in my youth that were as bad as Walter Reed etc...but I'm very stressed and frustrated by the same things as all of here...

quote:

Once you claim is approved, no one gives a comprehensive review of what all your benefits are at the time.

My 2c
The attached rating decision and additional attachements explain the other benefits when available: insurance, VocRehab, CHAMPVA, dependent education etcetera. All my clients are advised by me, to review and if offered any insurance take it. With a rating of 100% or IU often the premium is waived. There is no premium on CHAMPVA.

Dave, you may be right. No, make that, I'm sure you're right.

I have to admit though, that after a few yeas trying to prove service connection, and then further years trying to win my claim, I was pretty sick of paperwork and the VA forms by the time I was rated.

Somewhere in the small print at the back of the award letter, it said insurance was available, but either I didn't see it, or it didn't register with me at the time. It was a very stressful time, and I wasn't in the most comprehensive state of mind. As a matter of fact, when I got the award letter I was in tears, seeing proof of what I denied so long, that I was certified crazy. My attitude didn't lend itself well to the fine print.

Coulda, shoulda, woulda.... I think someone should have sat down with me and made sure I understood those benefits, and recommended that I purchase insurance, like you do with your clients.

Unfortuanetly, that's why so many people here complain about their VSO, because they all aren't as good as you, Dave.

I'm still learning the ins and outs of the system, and about the time I think I've got it, it changes.

Bill

I just pulled out my original decision paperwork -- what is actually says is "you MAY be eligible for life insurance".

Then there were a few other pamphlets inside talking about the application process.

You still have to apply for it -- I wasn't automatically offered it. If the applications and informative papers aren't in with the rating decision, it would be easy to miss. I know I was so relieved, and in shock that I got my rating decision, if I hadn't had those papers actually in the paperwork, I never would've read the "MAY" part, and most certainly wouldn't have known there had to be an application...

I bet often times this paperwork is forgotten when the VA is mailing out the decisions...

I'm still waiting to hear what will happen to my rating review, after the VSO submitted paperwork to appeal the proposed decrease... here's to keeping our finger's crossed...

I too had quickly ignored that portion of my initial 40% award letter, this discussion made me go back and read it. Here is exactly what it says:
"ARE YOU ENTITLED TO ADDITIONAL BENEFITS? Since you have been rated for a new service connected disability, you may be eligible for government life insurance if you are in good health (except for any service connected conditions) and apply within two years of this notification of your disability rating. If you are totally disabled, you may be eligible to have your government life insurance premiums waived."
Since I was NOT healthy (PTSD, but determined NOT service connected as well as other health issues) and did not have a totally disabled rating, the statement essentially did not even apply to me. (At least I don't THINK it did)

I have a friend that has been rated 100% SC for many, many years, but not eligible for life ins.

He wanted that life insurance so he filed a claim for tinnitus and won , thus making him eligible.