12483173:
Here are links to answers for the issues you face. Combined these make up my book on the Persian Gulf War, the untold story. They are on my website.

http://www.geocities.com/dave_barker_amvet/PGW.html
http://www.geocities.com/dave_barker_amvet/CombatVets.html

Thank you for your post. The more I read about it, the more I am convinced I have to go and be there for him. It seems as if he is trying to push away because of his frustrations and that the support and care of loved ones is greatly needed. And it is easier for him to push away, when he doesnt have to look in my eyes. He might be mad at me at first, but I think that is a risk I have to take. I have observed that he is trying to be in contact with people he calls friends or people that cannot touch his heart or that have hurt him in the past very much, but the people he loves and cares about are being pushed away. Maybe he is trying to distract from his frustrations and trying to lock down emotions. Maybe he thinks somewhere deep inside that old pains are easier to deal with than facing what he has to face now. But I know in order to get over it you have to go through it. I am glad he is seeking help with therapists though.

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I am glad he is seeking help with therapists though.

A very wise move.
Thank you for being a strong supporter. That will make a difference in years to come. Just be understaning and be very cautious, you are dealing with PTSD.

Thanks Dave..

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That is what we refer to as a DTA, or Duty To Assist letter. It is designed to give you every opportunity, to develop your case. The letter must be responded to, even if you simply state you have no more information. When my clients bring those in to me, I always try to send in new evidence, such as medical records, or supporting statements to give the rating specialist a reson to approve the claim.

Dave, would an exam by another MD be considered new evidence? Thanks

Can you tell me if there is always a C&P EXAM before you are rated. Also how long after you send your claim in do you have one. Thanks SEMPER FI Johnnie

There was no change, I clicked the wrong button, sorry.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DaveBarker,

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Originally posted by Rannug:

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That is what we refer to as a DTA, or Duty To Assist letter. It is designed to give you every opportunity, to develop your case. The letter must be responded to, even if you simply state you have no more information. When my clients bring those in to me, I always try to send in new evidence, such as medical records, or supporting statements to give the rating specialist a reson to approve the claim.

Dave, would an exam by another MD be considered new evidence? Thanks

Yes, it will be considered new evidence.
If the claim has not been denied and you submit another MD letter it is considered additional, or new evidence.

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Originally posted by jaz145:
Can you tell me if there is always a C&P EXAM before you are rated. Also how long after you send your claim in do you have one. Thanks SEMPER FI Johnnie

When it involves PTSD, all cases I have represented have required a C&P examination. I have been doing PTSD cases since the very early 1980's. I assume your question was regarding PTSD. Other issues do not always require a C&P exam, but most do.
The scheduling of the C&P exam is after the claim has been developed to the point, to ascertain if the possibility of compensation is feasable. There is no need to order an exam for PTSD, if there is no stressor involved, or the claim does not stand on its merit.

Hi Dave.! Have you ever done a press release and/or talked to any producers (CBS)? I talk today to a producer that is doing disabled female veterans and filing a claim. He was shocked to hear my story. They are doing the story of a recent discharged female. She has filed a claim a year ago and has no idea what is happening with. It sounds to me from what he said that she is trying to file a claim without the help of a good VSO (Like you) Thanks Dave for all the help that you give us veterans!!! Sally

I do have a working relationship with WNXT radio in Portsmouth. Sam McKibbon retired Navy Chief is the host and Clare Rubadue of Congressman Sricklands office and I are the panel.
I did in the past, write articles for numerous veteran publications. Now it is only Military.com and my website.
No offers from the 'big time' people have come our way!

Hi,
I am the wife of an Iraq Combat Vet. I love this man more than life itself. He is my hero. But I am very close to divorcing him for my own sanity.

He does suffer from PTSD. He filed a claim over two years ago, and it keeps getting kicked back for one stupid reason or another. The local VA here isn't very helpful. He saw one of their psychs about sleeping problems and the guy gave him a heavy duty psych drug that has the side effect of drowsiness. That was the first and only time he saw him. There was a counselor at another VA center that my husband really liked, but it was a 2 hour drive and he couldn't continue to see him because of his job. That VA center has helped with his claim, and it's still pending. But I need to get him help NOW.

One of the symptoms of his PTSD is addiction to alcohol. When he's drunk he relives his experience of the war, talks like he's actually in the moment. His behavior, whether drunk or sober, has become extremely eratic and impulsive. He has never been a violent man, but he actually pointed a loaded gun at me and told me how easy it would be to kill me. Another time he put his hands to my throat, again telling me he could kill me. I'm not worried about him killing me. That would be preferable to living like this.

My question to all of you here is this: if I am able to get him into an alcohol rehab program, will that really be of help without addressing his PTSD? I think he really needs to talk about his experiences, but in that environment he won't feel comfortable talking about the war. He would only feel comfortable with fellow veterans. In the past I have suggested that he get involved in some of the veteran groups, thinking perhaps he would find others to talk to. He rejects that because he says he's MI, and there's things he's not allowed to talk about, even though he's retired. But when he's drinking he talks to anyone who will listen, generally me. If he stops drinking, then he stops talking. It's a catch-22.

Are there any rehab programs exclusively for veterans? That would be ideal. I am hoping that we can get the VA to pay for it, at any rate. He recently lost his job, and consequently, our health insurance, otherwise I would go that route.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.

Boy I can't figure this out-where to send messages etc. I hope this get through to the right place. I was rated at 100% for PTSD in 2002 and recently found out that I am rescheduled for another C&P next fall (2007) because I was not rated P&T. My question is will the VA follow through on this because I'm 57 yrs. old and heard that they don't re-evaluate people over 55. Also if I have to go through with it (my anxiety has been sky high since I heard about it) what are the chances they will downgrade me. Since I was awarded 100% I have moved to another state and have hooked up with a new VAMC and counselor who thinks I have moderate PTSD and am Bi-Polar or schizoaffective or both. I'm scared.

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Originally posted by tooneycat:
Boy I can't figure this out-where to send messages etc. I hope this get through to the right place. I was rated at 100% for PTSD in 2002 and recently found out that I am rescheduled for another C&P next fall (2007) because I was not rated P&T. My question is will the VA follow through on this because I'm 57 yrs. old and heard that they don't re-evaluate people over 55. Also if I have to go through with it (my anxiety has been sky high since I heard about it) what are the chances they will downgrade me. Since I was awarded 100% I have moved to another state and have hooked up with a new VAMC and counselor who thinks I have moderate PTSD and am Bi-Polar or schizoaffective or both. I'm scared.

You have every reason to be scared. If your new counselor feels you have improved, you most likely will be reduced. Are you reporting all of your PTSD symptoms, nightmares, flashbacks, all of the PTSD symptoms? Are you showing PTSD as the problem, or are you reporting non PTSD symtoms? The symptoms are listed in the PTSD menu, you need to review them.

You need to discuss this problem with your veterans service organization service officer today!!

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My question to all of you here is this: if I am able to get him into an alcohol rehab program, will that really be of help without addressing his PTSD?

Yes, only if you go to the VA with him and assist him in reporting all of his PTSD symptoms. As in my prior post, you need to review the symptoms as posted on the menu.

Thank you for your response, Dave. Does the VA have alcohol programs?

The VA has outstanding alcohol and drug abuse programs. They are second to none.

I talked with someone in our area, and received some information. Now the problem I face is getting him to do it. Some days he is willing to admit that he needs help, and other days he is in denial. But it is a comfort to know there is help available if and when he is ready to accept it.
Thanks again, Dave.

Please go to my website, read the PTSD material. Then have him read it. Print out the material you feel he would be interested in. The PTSD Development Sheet may get his attention.
Help him see the light!

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Is there any place I could post this incase these guys might be looking for someone to validate their situation. I can just picture some VA official when reading there claim, “Oh sure you were in combat. HA! It says right here you were an Assistant Cook.”

Mike3121

You got that right Mike! An excellent post. That is exactly what the VA does with people who have PTSD, without medals of valor and a MOS that does not meet their expectations. Please post the same comment on the Army forum and Living With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, our sister discussion board. If you desire, you could go to my website and copy and paste the comments on my guestbook. A lot of people apparently read it, as it shows over 9,000 hits.