> Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 05:39:59 -0700
> From: "Doug Thrailkill" <blackhorse@...>
>>
>> As someone who has a 100% service connected disability for PTSD (42
>> months in country with 1st Cav (545th MP Co.) 11th Cav (409th RRD) 1/5
>> Mech Inf (407th RRD) and MACV USASSF I have some experience with the VA
>> system. I got some very good advice before I sought help for my problem.
>> This advice came from the DAV President in N. Fla. He suggested I go to
>> the VA (and set up appointments with a psychiatrist and psychologist) for
>> treatment(which would include but not be restricted to group therapy,
>> one-on-one psychological therapy, and drug therapy). His advice was that
>> I get treatment for at least 6 months but better a year. THEN put in a
>> claim. If at that time they balk (which they do) and say "you don't have
>> PTSD". You then ask "why have you been treating me for it the past year
>> then?" Worked for me. I put my claim in October of 1994 and had 60% in
>> June 95 and 100% May 1997. After 20+ years of flashbacks, nightmares,
>> anxiety attacks, and a REALLY BAD ATTITUDE I feel that I earned every
>> penny I get now.
>>
>> doug hardy
>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: darkkman@...
>> To: vetsof407thrrd@yahoogroups.com
>> Sent: Monday, October 10, 2005 4:52 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Vets of 407th RRD] "Stolen Valor" and PTSD frauds...
>>
>>
>> One of the problems with the VA is that the onus has slid back to the
>> veteran. We are expected to have perfect recall of an event we want to
>> forget. Catch 22. Stolen valor has not addressed the fact that so many
>> people so little time easily makes the system want to make the assessment
>> and award process as complex as they can get away with. I'd advise
>> anyone who feels that thier nightmare lives are related to PTSD to see a
>> private practitioner to give the VA evaluator some structure to hang
>> thier determination. As they say we all have our stories, who listens is
>> what matters in the end.
>>
>> Ken Rand
>>
>> Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 15:56:36 EDT
>> From: kenrand@...
>>
>> You are preaching to the choir. The VA has many zones and what works in
>> yours may work in mine.
>>
>> Ken Rand
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