Pacific Island Veterans! Do You Have Health and Benefits Questions? Ask Questions Now!

is this a live video meeting or just put questions here and hope for an answer??????

the va system has lost my entire 6 year airforce carreer !!!! how is this even possible ??? gregory braymen staff sgt usafr... i am told by american legion, DAV, spokane county vet center that i have to prove it ... even the ID center at fairchild AFB had no record of my air force career of which i recieved the airforce meritorious service medal attended the air force NCO accadamy was a seventh level supervisor trainor at both March AFB and Hickam AFB... the exuse is after the files get old they deleat them!!!! and this is an acceptable answer for them !!!! WHAT ? 6 years gone !!! an entire miltary carreer for most people !!! . they only rcognize my marine corps sevrice and have demoted me to corporal in the marine corps. WHY WHY WHY

Do we have a Burn Pit Registry Environmental Health Coordinator in Guam?

To whoever can offer a substantive, actionable information. My apologies for the length, but I hope the additional context is helpful.


While serving on active duty (2002-2011), I was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety (GAD) and depression. After Iraq, my symptoms worsened and management became very difficult and was accompanied with difficulties reading, interacting with others and engaging in business-related activities (in my role as a combat medic in infantry) such as program and project management. Ultimately, while simultaneously going through an MEB for an injury incurred while on patrol, I was diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type. My question may seem silly, but I find that managing my ADHD is key in managing my experiences with PTSD, anxiety and depression- which is consistent with research and the experiences of others with ADHD.

My question: Why doesn't the VA provide support- meaning medication and/or therapy- for my ADHD?

Some additional context:

I also served in the National Guard (1989-1996) and US Army Reserve (2002- in the 6 months leading up to my active duty service). I obtained a BA in communication, psych minor in 1995 (but with a 2.51 GPA in my major and 2.5 GPA overall- which people are often shocked to learn as it doesn't jive with my physical presence, intelligence or work history). I've long had my sights on graduate school but ended up working in tech as my academic area of interest was not yet mature.

Since being medevac'd from Iraq in 2008, I've tried to pursue additional education- 2 different masters programs, a DPEM certificate program (2 different enrollment attempts) and an online financial program (which I paid out of pocket for- twice)- and either failed or had to withdraw from all of them. Throughout this, I've also been enrolled in (what was once called) the VA's VocRehab program. Still, I was never able to get the assistance I needed as a retired, disabled combat veteran (even with a 100% C & P rating).

In 2021, I took out a HELOC and started paying out of pocket for the mental healthcare I need- specifically a psychotherapist and- separately- a service and provider who specialize in ADHD. In 2011, the VA’s approach was to put me on the same medications they typically use with others. This was horrible for me not just because it was a backwards move, but because the VA’s approach ignored a pretty important diagnosis. I’m fortunate that I was able to get the help I needed. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be surprised if I wouldn’t be here today and would instead be just another statistic.

But I realize not everyone can do what I did or am doing. So here I am…

Since getting the help I needed- even though I’m still paying out of pocket for it, I have achieved overwhelmingly positive outcomes, but still have work to do: I'm better at managing my experiences with PTSD, anxiety and depression- and a post-service spinal cord injury. In addition, I'm trying to get two businesses started and am actively pursuing a certificate (which I am paying out of pocket for) and I'm doing pretty well.

In paying attention to Veteran Suicides- as we all should- I really wonder about this: why I've never been able to get help for my ADHD from my VA and also about the experiences of other veterans. I think about my experiences- both as a medic on active duty serving with infantry and my experiences before active duty and after. I think about soldiers I provided assistance to as well as the Veterans I interact with now- regardless of whether or not they have also been diagnosed with ADHD. When my ADHD isn't managed, I can have some really horrible experiences- even if I am successfully managing the symptoms of and my experiences with PTSD, anxiety and depression. But when my ADHD *is* properly managed, it's a completely different experience- and an overwhelmingly positive one.

So… with all the context I've provided, again- my question:

Why doesn't the VA provide support- meaning medication and/or therapy- for my ADHD?

Thank you and I look forward to your response.

To whoever can offer a substantive, actionable information:

While serving on active duty (2002-2011), I was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety (GAD) and depression. After Iraq, my symptoms worsened and management became very difficult and was accompanied with difficulties reading, interacting with others and engaging in business-related activities (in my role as a combat medic in infantry) such as program and project management. Ultimately, while simultaneously going through an MEB for an injury incurred while on patrol, I was diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type. My question may seem silly, but I find that managing my ADHD is key in managing my experiences with PTSD, anxiety and depression- which is consistent with research and the experiences of others with ADHD.

My question: Why doesn't the VA provide support- meaning medication and/or therapy- for my ADHD?

Some additional context:

I also served in the National Guard (1989-1996) and US Army Reserve (2002- in the 6 months leading up to my active duty service). I obtained a BA in communication, psych minor in 1995 (but with a 2.51 GPA in my major and 2.5 GPA overall- which people are often shocked to learn as it doesn't jive with my physical presence, intelligence or work history). I've long had my sights on graduate school but ended up working in tech as my academic area of interest was not yet mature.

Since being medevac'd from Iraq in 2008, I've tried to pursue additional education- 2 different masters programs, a DPEM certificate program (2 different enrollment attempts) and an online financial program (which I paid out of pocket for- twice)- and either failed or had to withdraw from all of them. Throughout this, I've also been enrolled in (what was once called) the VA's VocRehab program. Still, I was never able to get the assistance I needed as a retired, disabled combat veteran (even with a 100% C & P rating).

In 2021, I took out a HELOC and started paying out of pocket for the mental healthcare I need- specifically a psychotherapist and- separately- a service and provider who specialize in ADHD.

Since doing so, I have achieved overwhelmingly positive outcomes, but still have work to do: I'm better at managing my experiences with PTSD, anxiety and depression- and a post-service spinal cord injury. In addition, I'm trying to get two businesses started and am actively pursuing a certificate (which I am paying out of pocket for) and I'm doing really well.

In paying attention to Veteran Suicides- as we all should- I really wonder about this: why I've never been able to get help for my ADHD from my VA and also about the experiences of other veterans. I think about my experiences- both as a medic on active duty serving with infantry and my experiences before active duty and after. I think about soldiers I provided assistance to as well as the Veterans I interact with now- regardless of whether or not they have also been diagnosed with ADHD. When my ADHD isn't managed, I can have some really horrible experiences- even if I am successfully managing the symptoms of and my experiences with PTSD, anxiety and depression. But when my ADHD *is* properly managed, it's a completely different experience- and an overwhelmingly positive one.

With all the context I've provided, again- my question:

Why doesn't the VA provide support- meaning medication and/or therapy- for my ADHD?

Thank you and I look forward to your response.

My main concerns are providing complete medical and mental health-care for all honorably discharged vets, for life, and to have one's last week of service include debriefing and clearing processes to acknowledged, address, and complete all integrity issues, this to be added to the discharge medical exam.
We've done a great job of training our youth to kill, it follows that we should train them to live peacefully. Releasing a vet whom we know is dragging around life's unacknowledged perpetrations, affecting all outcomes for life; it belies, "Thank you for your service."

Thank you for sharing this event.