Recently diagnosed with PTSD by civilian social worker. Have started the paperwork to file disability with VA and have long history with Mental Health department. Noticed recently that while I am not currently rated disabled, the VA does not charge me the co-pay for my Trazodone and Zoloft, but I am charged the
co-pay for my other meds. Also, I do get travel pay when I go to the Milwaukee VA for any kind of appointment. Does anyone have any idea why my psych meds are free but not anything else?
Tomorrow I see the VA socialworker who has been working with me on the PTSD issues. Do I tell him I'm filing for disability and ask for an assessment? Just very confused about everything and not wanting to deal with PTSD right now, if ever Thanks for any input anyone can give me. Linda

If you are being treated for PTSD at the VA, those meds are going to be free -- mine were too, before my official rating came down from the VA. There's a reg for it that explains it, but it's been to long for me to remembe what it is. Especially if you are suffering from any type of MST (Military Sexual Trauma) that would be in your military records, they will treat you for that as if you were rated SC for that officially.

Are you filing this paperwork on your own?? If you are you need to get a good VSO (Veteran's Service OFficer). These people are representatives for the veteran and are trained to deal with all the paperwork, and red tape, and can make far more progress more quickly than you can on your own.

IF youv'e alreayd been diagnosed with PTSD, aand are beign treated for it at the VA< and the social worker at the VA is workign with you on it, you don't have to ask for an assessment, you have already received it or would not be on psychotropic medications.

What you do need to verify though, is that a Comp and Pension and exam has been scheduled for you, this is where your servic-connection rating will be determined. If you've not alreayd filed the paperwork, you won't have this date yet.

Step 1) Get a good Veteran's Service Officer (VSO)

Step 2) Make sure you file a claim for benefits and get a Compensation and Pension Exam (the VSO will file your paperwork for you, most times by filing out the forms electronically, and submitting them electronically through the VA system while you're in the office).

http://www.milwaukeecounty.org/VeteransAffairs7757.htm

This is where you can find your County Veteran's Service Officers in Milwaukee. They are actually located at the VA grounds. Take what you have, and go see them. They'll get you started, and stay with you through out your dealings with teh VA, and explain any questions and concerns to you.

Don't forget your DD 214. That's the first thing they ask for.

I would bring EVERYTHING I had that shows proof of any previous diagnose and that might show what treatment or medication, or other help you may have received.

Turn on the Notifications on your Reply box and check back if you have questions or need help.

We're all here for you, and GOOD LUCK.

OK.....now do I find a good VSO? The local Veterans' Service Office here in Door County, WI was going to set me up with someone, but whoever that person was, said because I already was in the VA health system, my doctors could do whatever was needed.
Strange (or maybe not) I feel more trust for those of you here, who's posts I've only read and have never met, than that answer I got.
Also, is there anyone here who would be willing to e-mail me one on one about the questions and aprehensions I have about filing for disability? I realize that is probably the VSO's job, but until I actually have one, I'm feeling really shredded and frozen about making decisions of any kind. It isn't helping that my Dr. is weaning me off Zoloft and the new med he is switching me to hasn't arrived yet.
Anyway, thanks to everyone on this board for posting, sharing and giving hope.
God Bless, One Day At A Time, Linda

Linda,

Are you a member of any Service Organization? i.e. VFW, AMVETS, if not that's OK. Are there any around you? You don't have to be a member. Contact anyone you want, or all of them. They will help you and you don't have to join. Obviously, your local VSO Office isn't very qualified to help.

EVERYONE on the PTSD Forums is willing to help, the best person is Dave Barker (who should be here shortly) or go here: http://www.geocities.com/dave_barker_amvet/index.html and check over his site.

If you have any questions, post them here and someone will reply...no extra charge.

Linda -- are you in door county? or milwaukee? You made reference to milwaukee in your earlier post.

Do you go to the VA Hospital near you, or down in Milwaukee??

There are many VSO offices in Wisconsin -- not jsut the one you went to.

THe only way to get a 'good' one, is to talk to someone, and see how you feel about them, and how they help you. LIke any job, there are lazy people, and ignorant people, but that doesn't mean that they are all that way -- far from it.

Click on any of our profiles to email anyone. Most of here respond to our brother and sisters in the PTSD site.

I've been on every single drug there is 2x, and some combinations of those. None of them work for me, so currently, I'm on nothing, but a Beta-blocker, and natural herbs and vitamins, and well, back to isolation. I still have to take the meds for my headaches, and sleeping, which rarely help.

File a claim. There is no good reason not to. The worst that will happen, is they say no, but since you're already being treated, that is probably not going to happen. The best that can happen, is you get extra money every month to help make ends meet, since these disabilities are very difficult to hold down gainful employment with.

File a claim. No reason not too. It's not as daunting as it seems. If you get help from a VSO, and the Eligibility OFfice at the local VA, there is little you have to do, or deal with except checking your mail box for replies, and then going to respond to them (again through your rep).

Ken Rock
Government Center
421 Nebraska St.
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
(920) 746-2226 FAX (920) 746-2519
Email: krock@co.door.wi.us
Deborah Hart: dhart@co.door.wi.us

http://www.co.door.wi.gov/county/app/public?COMMAND=gov...1481&countyName=Door

This is for Door County, but you are by no means restricted to these people. You can use one from Milwaukee if that's where you go.

http://www.war-veterans.org/Whealth.htm

I used to live in Waupaca, and the King Veterans Home was literally right in my backyard. We shared a property line with the Veterans Cemetary. There are a lot of resources available to you in your area, it's just a matter of knowing where to look.

Hi C130aviatrix..thanks for your 2 posts. I live in Door County, use the Appleton VA outpatient clinic, and have to go to Milwaukee for anything more than a hangnail. It's only 180 miles one way. Actually, I've gotten terrific care at both facilities and can not praise them all enough.

Have talked with Deb Hart in Door county and she's given me the paperwork. She's another caring, concerned link in the system, also a vet herself.

You are right, there is nothing to loose by filing a claim.Guess I just want everything to be "perfect" when it's sent in and that's just not gonna happen. Get over it, and get on with it will have to be my new thought for the day. :-)

Thanks alot. LInda

camelady: "Also, is there anyone here who would be willing to e-mail me one on one about the questions and aprehensions I have about filing for disability?"
________________________________________________

If you go to my website and click on my e-mail link, I will answer any questions you ask. That link goes straight into my office computer, which I respond to through the normal week workdays.

http://www.geocities.com/dave_barker_amvet/index.html
Linda there is much good advice on the PTSD boards. Review it and use the posts that fit your case. Call your veterans organization and ask for a reference. That usually gets you on the right track. If you are not a member of AMVETS, DAV, Legion, VFW, et al. Please call their state headquaters and ask for a reference. They will always be eager to help you. That is their main purpose to serve veterans.
My best advice is to have a veterans service officer to assist you. Ask questions and make sure you understand them and they understand you.

Camelady, Welcome to our forum( Family). You are not be charged for your meds related to PTSD ( MST). That happened to me at the Seattle VA hospital. Great news is that you are in treatment! Meet a VSO in person and interview that person. You can always switch VSO if one is doing nothing to help you. Your social worker should also be helping you find all the resources to get help ( Social Security Administration, state agencies, filing a claim). Where you in the military during war? Dave is a great source of help!!!! You can email me, send me a message and I do respond. I am already one on one with two other veterans. Take Care, Sally