How does a soldier build a strong ptsd case?

Alice San — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 02:26:42 -0400

My husband has soon a visit with a VA doctor to claim his PTSD. He deployed 4 times so I believe there are many stressor factors that could come into play.
1 he got shot in war
2 his fellow soldier died in war
3 he found a soldier hung in his dorm room
4 he got involved into a car accident while returning home. A car hit his car from behind and both the cars were destroyed
5 the fear to die because of bombs on the road

How can he prove number 2 or 3 hence that some of his soldiers died?
I know thisi is a very delicate topic and I am sorry if I am hurting somebody, I am sure many of you have such bad experiences. I do not want to sound like I am trying to speculate on his ptsd and on the death of heros of our country, but I also believe that soldiers, in this case my hubby, need to get what they deserve. This is no bs unfortunately, but I understand it needs to be proven

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Jun 28 at 2019 3:04 AM

Maj Kim Patterson — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 03:04:49 -0400

Alice San prepare for battle. It is a rough and painful road for him and you and your families

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2019 3:19 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 03:19:00 -0400

He may not have to necessarily "prove" it. His deployment record and DD214 can do a lot of speaking for itself. Also, obtain every single record that you can. These websites may be of some help
https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/military-personnel/ompf-archival-requests
https://www.military.com/benefits/records-and-forms/requesting-military-personnel-records.html

ompf-archival-requests

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jun 28 at 2019 6:50 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 06:50:48 -0400

http://www.vetadvocates.org

When we did my whole noncombat total perm disability thing, a vet group started it, they tried, honest, however, it was simply too involved for them to devote adequate time to, they were just too busy...we switched it to one of the guys from this group, NOVA, I and others have sent in their stuff on here many times...use their search engine, see who's near you, or call their office...our consult was $500, the best money we ever soent, our guy had 3 yrs prior active, and 35-40 yrs VA disability law, he's one of the reasons we realized there's a very real reason God invented attorneys, honest, if you wanna chat more about it at all, just lemme know, no rush, they take only the percentage VA allows them, trust me, that was well worth the cost, I assure you, promise, at least to us,, OK? My whole thing was quite involved, I wouldn't even begin to compare my whole thing with that of your husband, certainly, by any means, however, I assure you, NOVA, aside from vet groups and law school vet law clinics, is pretty much the top of the food chain for VA disability law from all we've seen, our guy even got pro bono help for us from a local major law firm he knew partners at he'd been involved with before, as well, when we went to the BVA hearing for me with a judge, one of the two pro bono partners assigned to us went with us, and our NOVA guy, to see the judge....

Home

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jun 28 at 2019 7:38 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 07:38:47 -0400

If I can possibly suggest anything more on the user end, from all we saw, pls, by all means, just let me know, I'll try to explain all I can do far as I'm able, as it happened with us, honest, OK?

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2019 7:43 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 07:43:45 -0400

Don't know much about PTSD but honesty is always best. His thoughts and actions should serve well in assessing the effects of PTSD aka shell shock.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2019 9:54 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 09:54:00 -0400

I will try to keep this brief, but it is a complicated issue.
First, proving service connection is not at issue, as you say he "got shot". Earning a Purple Heart would make service-connection presumptive. If however he did not get a PH, that gets more complicated. His combat-related service awards and any combat decorations or badges then come into play.
Therefore, what happened that was stressful is less important to discuss than how he is affected presently. He will need to be detailed about the symptoms he has and how they affect his life, work, and relationships. These symptoms are then scored and a determination made as to the severity of his case and thus what rating he receives.

If his ducks are in a row, this claim would get processed pretty quickly. A PH makes it a priority case, and with presumptive, all it takes in the C&P exam to get after how severe his symptoms are. He should not emphasize the events that led to his issues until the exam itself, except insofar as his claim will need a VA 21-0781 describing the events in the initial application. How it affects him today is what the rating will be based upon.
This case is not terribly different from my own case, and it was resolved in about 120 days.
Feel free to contact me directly if you have more questions.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jun 28 at 2019 11:21 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 11:21:11 -0400

Don't know if you can prepare, I went in because one of my NCOs that I served with for a long time pulled me aside and told me I was acting odd and out of character. I told him he was nuts but went in anyway and after loads of questions, tests and more questions it turned out he was rite I had both PTSD and TBI. At that time the services were less accepting of the PTSD diagnosis so you found quickly who your real friends, mentors and battle buddies were and weren't.

For the VA claim, it was more tests, questions, and evaluations, I turned in my awards, decorations, NCOERs and letters from friends, family, Soldiers, peers and Leaders outlining past compared to present. Makes for hard reading at least for me, I thought I was fine, but everyone else didn't.

In my experience the VA here at Columbia does a good job but it takes work. You guys have a long road ahead , don't focus on what you could do but work hard to be and do the best you can be now. All will be well.

God bless you and thank you for your service.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 28 at 2019 12:57 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 12:57:14 -0400

Has he been through the MEB process?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 29 at 2019 12:57 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 00:57:20 -0400

Look a tough row to hoe. 1. needs his records, 2. doesn't have to recall names of kia, does need to know, about 24-25 Oct e\we got ambushed- lost 2 kis. night of 56 Dec, took bullet, spent 3 days in MASH.Ready to show scars. rea tough talking to brain that hasn't been there,

Response by CWO4 Brook Kelsey made Jun 29 at 2019 1:08 AM

CWO4 Brook Kelsey — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 01:08:49 -0400

“1 He got shot in war” case closed!

Response by CWO4 Brook Kelsey made Jun 29 at 2019 1:21 AM

CWO4 Brook Kelsey — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 01:21:44 -0400

I posted a short version: ““1 He got shot in war.” Case closed”

The long version is an exhaustive process of documentation of everything in his record.

If he is having ideas of helplessness, suicide or harming anyone - he can contact the Veterans Crisis Line [login to see] . Even if he just needs to talk to someone who understands! His first priority is stabilizing his life in order to get through one day at a time. Let him know he’s not alone! We are brothers and sisters in arms and we NEVER leave anyone behind!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2019 10:19 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 10:19:54 -0400

SSG: The VA changed their rules a few years ago, my friend and fellow veteran is now a classifier on cases. You used to need a specific event to qualify, firefight, ied, mortar attack etc. Now being forward deployed is considered the activating event. Take all his medical records with you, make the military make paper copies. The VA computers will not read an Army CD, the encryption corrupts with about the last 25 people I've taken. The VA cannot access his records until he signs the form allowing them to. Start getting witness statements from everyone that was with him for all the incidents. You need to attend all his compensation exams. The service member, male or female, will always try the I don't have a problem routine. Old friend of mine, CSM type, made me take my wife. You have to willing to tell the head dr's if he has a problem. You are also affected by this.

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made Jun 29 at 2019 12:49 PM

SSgt Richard Kensinger — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 12:49:09 -0400

I am a clinical psychologist w/ 40+ years experience. He may also be experiencing Clinical Depression, Substance Use Disorder, perhaps TBI, and definitely compacted grief. By far this is the most common complex presentation. of combatants dating back to Korea that I come across.
Be open and honest w/ the treating clinician.
My very best to you and your husband!
Rich

Response by MSG Robert Conrad made Jun 30 at 2019 8:31 AM

MSG Robert Conrad — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 08:31:33 -0400

Get a diagnosis of PTSD, prove you served in an imminent danger area, done deal.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 30 at 2019 2:03 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 14:03:30 -0400

Did he get a purple heart?

Response by PO3 Charles Streich made Jul 4 at 2019 8:42 PM

PO3 Charles Streich — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 20:42:57 -0400

I had there names and date of KIA. The VA doctor tried to blow me off that it didn't happen but when they checked, I was right. Stick to your story!

Response by MAJ Victor Alarcon made Jul 31 at 2019 12:36 AM

MAJ Victor Alarcon — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 00:36:47 -0400

The best way is for his family to write Statements in Support Of Claim, I am sure that his brothers and sisters realized that their loved one that went to war has never really returned. His wife and his children should write what living with their war veteran has been like. The effects of PTSD affect the immediate family. Everyone should write what they have lived, be very descriptive and demand that the VA realize how war changed their loved one.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2019 11:21 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 11:21:53 -0400

I'm positive that PTSD is disabling and hard to live with, for the soldiers that actually suffer from it.
However, having listened to soldiers in the defac lines in Afganistan, teach each other how to claim it
infuriates me. Watching and listening to people who never left the fob, never even went through a rocket or mortar attack proudly displaying their emotional companion dog, except when it's inconvenient for them to have it along..... I'll leave that alone, very touchy subject. Who is anyone to get in the way of people that are or have convinced them self that they are entitled?

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Aug 8 at 2019 8:09 PM

SPC Nancy Greene — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 20:09:52 -0400

I actually medically honorably discharged from the Army. I was only rated at 20%, but that was a start. Now as an advocate for VETS, I can honestly tell you that documentation and determination will help you succeed. If your husband has a Psychiatrist who is willing to diagnose PTSD, then you have the starting point for a disability claim. Also, any noticeable changes in his behavior after 2 and 3 will help with your case. Statements from his fellow soldiers regarding his behavior after 2 and 3 could also help. It is a long process, but do NOT give up! He deserves a rating for PTSD and various other conditions. Documentation is the key. Also, contact your Congressman, he has the ability to help. Here is a phone number which I have found useful: White House VA hotline: [login to see]
Good luck and please do NOT give up! Your local DAV is supposed to assist with paperwork. I chose to find the forms and fight for myself. I finally achieved 100% service-connected in 2012. So, please don’t give up and ask for help. I hope this information helps you in your struggle.