I'm new here, but there seems to be a wealth of knowledgeable vets so I would like to ask you what you think of my case. I was activated to Iraq in 2005 in the Al Anbar Province. I saw some nasty stuff and do not really feel like mentioning it here, but I do have the evidence I need of a combat stressor, actually several. When I was discharged the VA immediately awarded a 10% disability based on hearing tests I took before and after the deployment and specifically tied it to an IED I hit while I was there. I did not have any signs of PTSD and was really just glad to get back to the states as my tour was extended considerably.

When I got back things were actually not that bad. My driving habits had changed a little as I seemed to scrutinize every object or piece of trash on the side of the road. I also jumped really bad with loud noises, but I did not think much of it. About 12 months ago thing got a lot worse. It started with some nightmares of things I had seen, I found my self a little forgetful and preoccupied, and started to snap at my wife a little more.

About 2 weeks ago I lost my job. I held steady employment with promotions and raises since I got back, but starting about 9 months ago my performance really went downhill. I started forgetting simple things at work. Important things. I started to catch myself staring at my computer while having daydreams about Iraq. I soon found that I could not remember anything unless I wrote it down. I never had this problem before. Attention to detail started to plague me. I just could not get things right. Starting in January I met with an EAP counselor who quickly started to ask about my military experience and mentioned ptsd. We set up various organizational and coping mechanisms to try at work with some success, but nothing solid. She referred me to a professional psychiatrist who is apparently renowned for working with ptsd cases. After the second session the psychiatrist diagnosed me with ptsd and I am currently on medication. After about 4 months of being on probation my company fired me. I have never been fired before. I finished a masters degree right before I was deployed and graduated with honors from a state university. I was never late to work and did not do anything that was against company policy. It was simply my performance. Dreams continue and are much worse. Social life is not good.

My psychiatrist referred me to a specific case worker. I was impressed with the knowledge she had about the VA system. She told me that to win a claim I have to play by VA rules and try not to have the "suck it up and move on" mentality. She said that until the claim outcome is determined to play the "wounded soldier." Additionally, I was to go after a claim for everything that is physically or mentally bothering me that I think may be linked to activities while training or in combat.

From what I can see, I believe I will be successful on the ptsd claim. I have the proof of stressor and my psychiatrist will give the diagnosis and connect it to the events in Iraq. Not sure what percentage. My psychiatrist believes that 90% of the reason that I was fired was because of ptsd symptoms. The EAP counselor agrees. Not sure what my GAF score would be. Definitely lower than 50 I think. I'm not sure I could hold a position for long in my field. What do you think my rating for this would be?

Also, I have had stomach problems ever since I got home. Never had them before. I got food poisoning twice while I was in Iraq on fish and bacon. Bad stuff. I am now lactose intolerant and stay away from dairy completely. Even though I do that my stomach has consistent day to day pain. My medical doctor diagnosed me with irritable bowel syndrome. This seems to recently be exacerbated by stress with my job loss and ptsd. I now have blood in my stool. I did not see a doctor about this while I was in Iraq as I still manned my post sick or not. However, no medical record exists that indicates stomach problems before Iraq.

I am also having problems with my feet, knees, hips, and back. No need to tell some of you about the weight of armor. I'm not a big guy and am not exceptionally strong. I now seem to have flat feet, my knees ach, my hips and lower back (SI joint) give out serious pain if I walk too far or I lift even moderately heavy boxes (40 pounds). You get the picture.

My case worker wants to go after ptsd, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), flat feet, knees, hips and back. She was also asking about TBI which I immediately dismissed. She then asked me if I hit my head at all during the deployment. I did during the IED attack and a couple of other times, but I had my kevlar on and was only a little dizzy afterwards. She said to go after that too. Heck, she said to go after athletes foot. What am I getting myself into here? My main concern is the ptsd and my work.

Should I go for all this? Advice?

I advise you to jot down the dates of the IED attacks and other stressors and contact the JSRRC to verify that they have them listed and send you a report.
this is your biggest hurdle and the VA often says they try to verify stressors but I know of a couple of cases the Veteran had to do it themselves.

Department of the Army
U.S. Army & Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC)
7701 Telegraph Road
Kingman Building, Suite 2C08
Alexandria, Virginia 22315-3802
Telephone number: 703-428-6801


J

Welcome to Hadit. I think from what you wrote that you should win a claim. Ask questions and read the Home Page lots of info you need to see.

What was your MOS in Iraq? Did you get an combat awards or purple hearts. This would be proof of stressors.

I had a non-combat arms mos. 96b. I already have solid proof of one stressor. Others I would need to get the evidence. When I got there, the colonel in charge of our brigade did not "believe in" CABs. So most of the guys in my unit did not get them unless they got a purple heart on top of it. So how do I go about getting proof of the other stressors from the JSRRC? Should I go after all of these claims like my advocate has advised?

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Sounds like your case worker is steering you in the right direction. You need to submit a claim for anything that might be bothering you and is annotated in your service medical records. Is your 10% for hearing loss or tinnitus? If it is not for tinnitus, then you need to claim that also as I am sure you have ringing in your ears. It does sound as though your PTSD claim will be a winner, but the % is important. If you can get your psychiatrist to state that you are unable to sustain employment because of the issues you are having, you should include TDIU with this claim. Digestive problems are part of the Gulf War illness, so you should get some attention with the problems you are having. Like she said, don't play the tough guy here. If it bothers you now, it is only going to get worse as you get older. That is what a lot of people don't think about. The effects of these conditions will last your lifetime and they will most likely worsen with age.

Now, to another important area. Why did your employer terminate you? Did they state it in your termination letter? Do they know you are struggling with mental health issues?? I think you may have a discrimination case against them if you have the proper evidence. Did this company have to excuse you to go to IRAQ? Did they seem to be mad at you or resent having to deal with the whole issue? Another important thing is if it is a defense contractor. They are supposed to be very pro military. Sorry for so many questions, but if you feel you have been discriminated against, you need to jump on it quickly. Look forward to hearing some of the answers to these questions.

Thank you for the advice guys. I have been dealing with a lot lately and have fallen out of contact with just about everything and everyone including online boards and such. My claim was filed and they are currently reviewing the evidence. I gave detailed evidence of at least 5 different stressors including the IED attack. My psychiatrist wrote a nexus letter for me and my medical records have been submitted. I have a few questions though.

My psychiatrist gave me a GAF score of about 45. I know that this score can be somewhat subjective, but I think that it is about right for me after reading what the scores mean. The big thing for me is that I have been unable to gain employment. I was fired because of issues relating to PTSD. I worked for a defense contractor, but was in a cubicle for 9 hours a day working with a computer. This was a real "attention to detail" type of job and my performance started going downhill fast after I started having PTSD symptoms. I started "zoning out" in front of my computer as I was distracted by thoughts of the war. My short term memory became less and less reliable until I started using memory aids for everything and even then it didn't work. I started missing deadlines and would miss a lot of details in my work because I became so distracted and had to take so many "sanity" breaks. My relationship with my coworkers and boss deteriorated quickly. I tried my best, but could just not concentrate. Part of that was that my nightmares got so bad that I could not sleep more than 4 hours a night. Plus I did this type of work before my deployment with no problem. In fact, I graduated with honors from a masters program at a state university and had extremely detail oriented jobs before this including my MOS in the service. It has been 5 months now without a job and I have applied to just about everywhere. I do have documentation from my employer stating reasons for my dismissal that indicate the reasons stated above. Could this qualify for IU if my rating is at 70? During my dismissal meeting I told them that I had PTSD and was getting treatment for it, but I needed help. They said that they were sorry, but that they were going to let me go anyway.

Oh, by the way it is Tinnitus that I am rated for currently. Thank you for your help.

SLC,
Glad you got back with us.
carlie

Not being able to work cause of a VA Service Connected Disability is what is needed for TDIU 100%. The rating of 10% in your profile is not enough. However, you can ask for it and a reconsideration of PTSD.

Good Luck

Pete,

Thanks. The claim that I am in the middle of right now is the PTSD claim. Sorry I did not clarify. The VSO thinks that I should get 70% for it, but said that she can never say that for sure until the official ruling. The ringing in the ears does not keep me from working, but the PTSD does. If I am awarded the 70% will I automatically be considered for UI?

It was called delayed stress syndrome for many years. Doesn't anyone else remember that. Now we check them in service, at separation of service, and many times before the PTSD has manifested it's self. I always thought that was odd.

CB,
Your 100 % on that. I've got some medical records that state delayed onset PTSD.
carlie

My medical records state the same thing. Anyone know about the UI part of this question?

SLC,
Regarding IU - it would be best (IMO) if you get your SC'd rating higher than 10 %
then shoot for the IU if you want to. If I remember right you are currently employed.
You also may want to check this out to see if there are any benefits for you through this group.
Hope this helps a vet.
carlie


http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

If you are awarded 70% the VA is required to consider TDIU 100% and sitting here I think that you will get it

Have you thought about filing for SSDI? When the VA sends you for a C&P exam for PTSD that will probably be a big factor in your rating. Be sure and let them know you are not working and why. If you have PTSD your work situation is probably the biggest factor in how high a rating you get. You can have severe PTSD but if you are working you probably won't get more than 50%. If you are not able to work with the same symptoms you get 70-100%. Many vets who have PTSD but are able to support themselves are sitting on a 30% rating.

John,

I have not thought about SSDI. I am guessing that is social security right? Not sure I would fit the requirements, but I'll look into it. Thanks for the advice. Yeah, my job was the type that if you were distracted or made any error in judgment it rendered magnified consequences. So the PTSD did not mix well and things happened fast. I can imagine in other jobs where veterans are doing their best even with PTSD and go to the VA for help only to find that despite how severe their symptoms are, they have a job and therefore do not qualify for a higher rating. Sad.

SL

If you can't work due to your disability then I would go see a SSD lawyer to get off on the right foot. Your doctor needs to say that you are unable to do any sort of work for at least one year. That is the standard for SSD. The lawyer may know doctors who will work with you and who know how to write a report. You have to be unemployed for at least 6 months before you can collect from SSD.