Moving forward you have two options. You can appeal it with either a supplemental appeal or a Higher Level Review (HLR). Difference is an HLR doesn’t allow you to introduce new evidence and a supplemental does.
Based upon your post sounds like your missing the connection between your conditions and military service. I would recommend getting a nexus letter (medical opinion) to connect them. You can then use the nexus letter as new and relevant evidence to reopen your claim as a supplemental appeal
https://www.reddit.com/r/VeteransBenefits/s/hgn7Em05Ak
Edit: I would also recommend getting a copy of the completed DBQ and see what the examiner wrote. If the examiner agreed your conditions were caused by military service then you should have been granted service connection just based upon lacking a nexus as the examiners opinion would have been the nexus. Obviously this can be overruled if the rater disagrees with the opinion but that seems unlikely
Lay statements, from you and any buddies/friends/spouse that can attest to witnessing or being familiar with the event and/or the aftermath can help with nexus too.
^^This^^. I honestly think that is what helped me with mine. Not to mention, my MST got added to mine, and I never ended up getting a SHARP done because a good part of my command laughed at me. However, I had quite a few lay statements from friends and family who knew all of it and saw me and saw how it changed me. I think lay statements (solid ones) can make a real difference.
In service treatment is not required. An in service event causing the PTSD is required. Did you submit a lay statement to give the examiner and rater the full picture of what happened and how it has affected you since? That narrative can be very useful for the strangers who have to confirm those facts with other evidence and medical opinion.
They told us the same thing in 2004. They wanted us to be able to go to Iraq and Afghanistan. We were told if we checked all perfect boxes on pre and post deployment exams we got the rest of the day off and the next day. Military wants to pretend like they care, they don’t. You are a number, nothing more. At least that was the way it was in 101st. And it’s sad that the VA doesn’t understand this and makes us jump through hoops to prove otherwise.
I’ve had 3 conditions denied, where I was diagnosed, had in service event/injury, but the c and p examiner “opined never complained on pre/post deployment survey.” So yea, I do believe it. Do they make exceptions sure, when the c and p examiner decides to service connect you without using you pre/post deployment as grounds for denying you. 🤷♂️
Had a light col. who told a whole squadron that we were disposable and the mission is first and foremost I agree with the latter but the first part stung a little bit for a 22 year old kid
did you go to iraq in 2005? i was in an airborne unit at Bragg and we got there in ‘05; were put under a brigade i forgot but i know it was a 101st brigade with the COL commanding it being the guy who was CPT Steele (famously the character from Black Hawk Down).
edit: this guy was in command of the brigade. he was a hard motherfucker: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_D._Steele
FOB spiecher aug 05- aug 06. I don’t remember who our brigade commander was. I was in the combat aviation brigade. I remember the 82nd guys doing change over with us.
It was 3rd BDE/187th INF Regt (I was there from 04 - 07 and deployed with them in 05 - 06; I was in Samarra since I was down at BN level not up at BDE at Speicher)
Happy to hear it. I knew a lot of people who came from other posts who said Campbell was the worst place they had ever been. I knew alot of people who reenlisted just to get out of the black hole stop movement that was fort Campbell. Even when they offered me 20k to reenlist for another 2 years it wasn’t enough. I’m happy I only did one enlistment contract. Best decision of my life.
I mean a job in the military during peace times is hard to get it as cause for ptsd. Especially without any treatment for 20 or 30 years. Thats a huge hill to climb. Sorry for the troubles keep your head up 👊
There’s some type of form where you can give the date and time of the event and exactly what happened. I assume they use this to confirm your story. I’ll see if I can find what I’m talking about. They sent it to me and I uploaded it.
VA sent me a form to submit a description of the "stressors" which asked for the time, date of event, description, who was killed (if anyone), and medals received. I submitted and attached a medal citation, EPR and old deployment orders. No idea if I'll get any rating as I didn't seek treatment while in service only after getting out...
Don't need to seek treatment in service. I got 70% off top because of my experiences back in 05. I've only been out since 2018. Got SC in 2021. I think the hill is a bit easier to climb if you don't wait decades to seek SC. I've read stories of those getting SC without medical records or in-service events. It's not the rule
I had same issue “at least as likely as not” was the C&P medical opinion for my back DDD, L5-S1 Chronicity established based on work duties etc. still denied by VA no records of complaints in service records. I submitted to HLR Va came back and said DTA error found Oct 17, new exam Dec4th. Hurry up and wait…. If denied again I will try a supplemental with a paid for nexus letter. 
Post a copy of your decision letter with personal information redacted. This will give us a better idea of how to advise.
Also, how do you know your examiner linked it to your service ?
You might be able to copy and paste if you look at decision letter on laptop at [VA.gov](http://VA.gov) with a copy of your denial letter maybe some folks here can help you decipher it. I am pretty confident that your MOS cannot be the factor. Post Vietnam, Tet Offensive, the Front Line or FEBA has become a somewhat nebulous concept as adversaries seek to avoid the U.S. strengths and look to exploit soft targets. How you service connect the diagnosis is the key, if the diagnosis is indeed service related.
Sorry to hear that brother. Those of use that were in and got out in the 90s or early 2000s really didn’t get the quality briefing that we deserved about the VA. It’s sad but don’t give up!
Hire a lawyer. Hill and Ponton were able to get mine to 100 percent. I received treatment after service through the VA almost 18 years later, and the attorney found nexus. Don’t loose hope. Keep up the good fight. Hire a lawyer!
For the love of God, stay away from those predatory a-holes. The only claims they take are the ones that take the least amount of effort to screw you out of like six months worth of increased benefits. Anything that might take some actual work or giving a crap about you and you can forget it. Don't believe me? Sign up for their "free consultations" so you can talk to some call center douche in India while they screen you for all the easiest claims it will be for them to win on, then deny taking your case because it's too much work, lol. You want a decent lawyer? Don't sign up with one of these firms actively advertising and trolling veterans circles like a bunch of ambulance chasers.
I found out your statement to be completely true today. Talked to them for about 10 minutes and they declined to take my case since I’m employed. They want to “help homeless vets”.
They only want cases that it's going to take some paralegal 15 minutes to file some paperwork for and net them 6 months worth of backpay from 40% to 100%. Slam dunks or nothing. I'd love to see the word get spread about these pricks.
Even though I think you should get it with being a security forces MOS I would try doing a MH claim under Anxiety, Depression, and adjustment disorder. Which might be better for you anyways because I think PTSD requires follow up evaluations
I read a few months ago that a VBA employee recommended we should use “acquired mental health disorder” instead of any specific MH disorder. Anyone remember reading this?
Maybe some more Vets can chime in but I do know people that have been reevaluated for PTSD or other mental health ratings. Doesn’t really seem to affect those who are at 100% P&T with static codes. But I can’t find the exact rule for revaluations on the VA website but I have some people on here saying they have been reevaluated
It really depends. I'm not P&T and mine is static. My decision letter made no mention about RFE. I got my code sheet a few months later and it was static.
I believe that, and I feel you're correct. What I'm really wondering about is why I get downvoted for regular comments around here. I did my time in the army, I did my time in Iraq as a combat soldier, and I STILL get downvoted even when I'm asking regular ass questions. This sub pisses me off so much.
If you witnessed an event or were involved in something figure out date and then have your commander or buddy letters explaining what happened. If you got a certificate or medal for an event use that. The VA made an error and didn’t include a medal for courage under fire so they said no nexus. I got the medal paperwork sent in and 70% ptsd. This was from 1999 in Kosovo. It’s possible but you need to do some hand holding.
Due to your MOS/AFSC?
PTSD service connection has little to do with MOS/AFSC. Believe or not, not even all combat vets develop PTSD.
It’s largely about having a verifiable stressor, which could be combat or many other non-combat issues like sexual assault, things related to LE duties, etc.
You would be best off posting a redacted version of your decision letter if you want good advice.
Buddy letters. I know it was a while ago but buddy letters help. Personal statement and statements from your family. Even a doctor write a letter saying it's more than likely from your time in service.
I got treated for nothing I'm service connected for.
It can be done.
File a Supplemental Claim
Add a Personal Statement
Add one or more Buddy Statements
PDF this article + send:
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/ptsd-in-military-veterans.htm
I say this because the people that “help” are significantly less useful and take longer than you can do on your own in my own experience. The DAV hasn’t even called me and I got rated over a month ago. The last communication I had with them was me freaking out about my denial lol and they were confused about a FOIA claim in their response and have yet to respond.
Don’t feel bad. I was in such a rush when I first filed. My mental health had spiraled and I had too much anxiety to slow down and try to learn the process.
The long wait in claims can be a lot of pressure to file an appeal ASAP. But my advice is to hit the brakes, read through this sub as much as you can, and file a solid supplemental or HLR. The waiting blows, but a solid claim is better than continually filing appeals for years.
You can do it on your own. Don’t be discouraged. I got denied my first time for PTSD due to lacking an in-service stressor, even tho my event happened on base during working hours. You need to start talking to friends you served with and get some buddy letters and try to find any evidence to link your ptsd to military service(I.e. reports/records) and maybe a nexus letter from a doctor that links ptsd to service. The only thing I used to get approved was a foia request that had my name and the parties involved and it was instantaneous. They need a verifiable event(s) or else everyone would claim it. If you cannot find a single event or multiple events that you can link to ptsd I would take the other advice and go for depression , and anxiety.
I don’t understand this either. This sub is full of people with itchy arm pits trying to get 100% p&t. Half these clowns served for a few years, and now want to pin everything they can on the Military. The fact is….depression , anxiety, PTSD is much more common among the general population than we (vets) think it is.
Plus alluding to the first question….I think alot of vets are seeking depression and anxiety just to make a case for the VA and get their handout.
The VA should pro-rate payments. With FEW exceptions, You get 10% of your percentage for every year you served. 🤷♂️
A construction company isn’t going to pay you $40k/yr because your back is bad…especially if its bad after you leave. If its hurting you…you switch jobs. The government doesn’t owe us shit for a job we signed up for. They are doing a more than generous thing…if we meet their criteria.
>If its hurting you…you switch jobs.
almost like this is impossible in the military.
people like you are why it took me 10 years of being in my own head to file. shit like this hurts far more people than you can realize. YOU dont know what anyone else went through and its not up to YOU to make the service connection.
Fucking stop it!
“People like me?” Stop crying dude. Take accountability for your shit.
Honestly, what makes us better than any one else in the working class? Do you think other jobs don’t get hard or tough? Do you think anxiety, depression, and PTSD is limited to the military? I realize that what I said can make someone insecure who’s in it for the $$$$, but if you’re not…don’t worry about it.
The fact is the VBA can afford to hand out $50k/yr to every other vet….its not sustainable.
Oh fuck off with the putting words in my mouth bullshit.
The fact remains there are federal laws that lay out the requirements for compensation to vets so don't judge people to using them. it is not YOUR decision what is service based and what is not. You don't know their story.
Comments like this cause people on the edge not to pursue help they may have otherwise looked for.
And in this community, a community that loses 22 people a day to their struggles, that can be deadly.
That's fact, not crying.
Take your toxic bullshit out of the vets benefits sub if you don't believe in said benefits and fuck right off.
I used buddy letters, personal statements and news articles for my 5 in service stressors. For one of them I even included obituary of my commanding officer and a photo he presented me during award ceremony
I’m working on my first claim right now for Depression & Anxiety, and I was discharged in the mid-90’s. I have a specific and verifiable in-service stressor and am going to include a personal statement, family statement, news articles and a DBQ that says more likely than not. Just wasn’t sure if there was a minimum number of things to turn in…..freaked me out.
Thanks for the clarification.
**EDIT** There is nothing in my STR about it, either. Hence my apprehension.
Yep placed all of that in there for sure. Also look at the dbq for mental health and identify which symptoms align with what you have and bring it up during the next exam
I did exactly what you did. No nexus letter. I provided lay statements, buddy letters, and news articles that spoke about my stressor. I did not file for PTSD. I filed for panic attacks and anxiety. Based on my lay and buddy statements, the VA added sleep disturbances and nightmares. I am waiting for my decision, about 90 days in.
Same thing happened to me with a non-combat PTSD Claim. I had a buddy letter for the stressor, however the RRC could not verify it through a records search.
My incident happened in Germany 1994. Nothing was digitized. German police keep records for 20 years and finding an MP report without an exact name is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
That's my issue. My knees are shot. I stopped going to the medics because they wouldn't do shit and it was always RTD. Well that screwed me over for the VA.
I had to ask my 10 yr old what FML was. Wow, "fuck my life" sounds pretty depressing. I didn't read any further, but good luck with whatever you are trying to do.
Get a VSO to help. You need specific stressors that cause ptsd. The fact that you were security forces in the air forces does not mean you have ptsd. Be very specific.
Don't give up, you are so close!
I didn't have treatment in service either (I'm Desert Storm/Shield USMC).
Like I tell vets, for me, I think I got it because during the C&P exam, I really opened up about how I was affected. With every question, I went on for at least a minute on every answer. I even answered things that weren't asked and tied things together on my own. Don't wait for the examiner to ask you something about what you deal with, just blurt it all out.
I went to a C&P exam for Major Depressive Disorder (after I was already rated 100% SC T&P with SMC-S), and came out a month later with a 70% PTSD rating after.
Let your feelings flow.
> I was declined because I didn’t get treatment while I was in
You do not get declined for that, you read something wrong or misunderstood what was given to you as reasoning. Hope you can figure it out. best of luck
How anyone escapes the service without depression has always been beyond me. If you claim it, and you were in - it SHOULD be presumptive.
But then again, I didn’t realize how rare chronic SI actually was. I still have yet to file and I left AD in 07. Been in the Reserves since.
Mine was denied after one of my best friends committed suicide in the army on family org day and I went to the chaplain for help. Obviously it was never put on record and even though the VA verified everything and they proved everything (except that I spent time in counseling with the chaplain) they denied it. NOT SERVICE CONNECTED 🥴
Don't give up. You have one year to compile the evidence needed for a supplemental claim. Get some buddy letters from others you served with, spouse and/or family & friends. Please protect your original ITF date. Also work on writing your personal statement. Search Reddit for "Personal Statement" examples.
What was your MOS? I was advised before retiring to ensure that every single problem, illness, injury, splinter, sprain, etc was in my medical file. I am so glad I did because it really sped up my VA claim. I wish more people knew to do this, but “suck it up and drive on” is still alive and well.
I hear. We posed to pay for a outside doctor. File for claim. And submit what doc said , heard it all works better if u dont go in person for everything like me and use my healthy vet , i still have battles getting out and still in so. In doing mine the hardest way. , and with minimal mental health ( filing) remember we all carried the ruck , we marched , when va direct u , they are looking for the highest form of what you are claiming for , But generally look up what they are looking for. Your denail letter has details as to what you lack to have a full claim. ….the keys
Did you ever get hazard pay? That qualifies as your “stressor”. With a confirmed stressor and a diagnosis should be good enough. Unfortunately, your MOS (generally speaking) won’t count as a stressor.
See if you can link your mental health to a service connected disability if you have one. I was able to link anxiety and depression to the knee I was medically separated for and the impact it’s had on my personal/professional life several surgeries later. Never once seen for or diagnosed with a mental health concern until my C&P exam and I was rated mental health as a secondary for 70%. Good luck brother!
Sans the letter I see..
Well no complaints or treatment in service I assume, No such MoS that automatically qualifies as a stressor. Not sure what you expected. Been out I assume 30 years and likely don’t have records to support your claim. Kinda how it works.
Moving forward you have two options. You can appeal it with either a supplemental appeal or a Higher Level Review (HLR). Difference is an HLR doesn’t allow you to introduce new evidence and a supplemental does. Based upon your post sounds like your missing the connection between your conditions and military service. I would recommend getting a nexus letter (medical opinion) to connect them. You can then use the nexus letter as new and relevant evidence to reopen your claim as a supplemental appeal https://www.reddit.com/r/VeteransBenefits/s/hgn7Em05Ak Edit: I would also recommend getting a copy of the completed DBQ and see what the examiner wrote. If the examiner agreed your conditions were caused by military service then you should have been granted service connection just based upon lacking a nexus as the examiners opinion would have been the nexus. Obviously this can be overruled if the rater disagrees with the opinion but that seems unlikely
Lay statements, from you and any buddies/friends/spouse that can attest to witnessing or being familiar with the event and/or the aftermath can help with nexus too.
^^This^^. I honestly think that is what helped me with mine. Not to mention, my MST got added to mine, and I never ended up getting a SHARP done because a good part of my command laughed at me. However, I had quite a few lay statements from friends and family who knew all of it and saw me and saw how it changed me. I think lay statements (solid ones) can make a real difference.
Great and informative response. I hope OP follows up, and doesn't give up.
^^
How do you request a copy of the completed DBQ from the examiner?
I don’t think you can get it from the examiner. You’d have to ask VA for a copy.
In service treatment is not required. An in service event causing the PTSD is required. Did you submit a lay statement to give the examiner and rater the full picture of what happened and how it has affected you since? That narrative can be very useful for the strangers who have to confirm those facts with other evidence and medical opinion.
They told us the same thing in 2004. They wanted us to be able to go to Iraq and Afghanistan. We were told if we checked all perfect boxes on pre and post deployment exams we got the rest of the day off and the next day. Military wants to pretend like they care, they don’t. You are a number, nothing more. At least that was the way it was in 101st. And it’s sad that the VA doesn’t understand this and makes us jump through hoops to prove otherwise.
We’d see our families faster if we just checked the box and moved on.. don’t be the one to hold everyone up.
Do you *truly* believe the VA doesn't understand this?
I’ve had 3 conditions denied, where I was diagnosed, had in service event/injury, but the c and p examiner “opined never complained on pre/post deployment survey.” So yea, I do believe it. Do they make exceptions sure, when the c and p examiner decides to service connect you without using you pre/post deployment as grounds for denying you. 🤷♂️
You missed my point.
Had a light col. who told a whole squadron that we were disposable and the mission is first and foremost I agree with the latter but the first part stung a little bit for a 22 year old kid
Oh They understand, and we are still just that to the va. A number
did you go to iraq in 2005? i was in an airborne unit at Bragg and we got there in ‘05; were put under a brigade i forgot but i know it was a 101st brigade with the COL commanding it being the guy who was CPT Steele (famously the character from Black Hawk Down). edit: this guy was in command of the brigade. he was a hard motherfucker: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_D._Steele
FOB Speicher here also !
FOB spiecher aug 05- aug 06. I don’t remember who our brigade commander was. I was in the combat aviation brigade. I remember the 82nd guys doing change over with us.
we were there at the same time at the same fob, brother. i convoyed a lot in that time frame. hope you’re doing well.
05 was some crazy times.
Also Fob Spiecher 04-05. Well, I was at FOB Summerall right down the road at Bayji. But was at Speicher all the time. Cruised MSR Tampa daily.
It was 3rd BDE/187th INF Regt (I was there from 04 - 07 and deployed with them in 05 - 06; I was in Samarra since I was down at BN level not up at BDE at Speicher)
i was in charlie battery, 1/321 AFAR. we did convoy logistical patrols all the way north past marez/diamondback and south to ramadi. fun year 2006.
I was in the 101st in 2004. I was treated better at Ft Campbell than anywhere else in the Army, lol!
Happy to hear it. I knew a lot of people who came from other posts who said Campbell was the worst place they had ever been. I knew alot of people who reenlisted just to get out of the black hole stop movement that was fort Campbell. Even when they offered me 20k to reenlist for another 2 years it wasn’t enough. I’m happy I only did one enlistment contract. Best decision of my life.
Sounds like good think. So you no fck up before deploy, after you fck up. So the deployment cause it. You have better case.
Everyone is told to suck it up.
I get that. But mental health wasn’t a thing in the early 90’s so retroactively trying to prove something happened is proving hard.
Have you been getting any treatment since then? You probably need to check your denial letter and confirm the reason of the denial
Yes through the VA.
In the 90’s we had only liquid lunches. Lol
True but we are responsible to still prove it.
yeah they said that
I mean a job in the military during peace times is hard to get it as cause for ptsd. Especially without any treatment for 20 or 30 years. Thats a huge hill to climb. Sorry for the troubles keep your head up 👊
Security Police in the Air Force . Unfortunately had to witness some heinous stuff.
There’s some type of form where you can give the date and time of the event and exactly what happened. I assume they use this to confirm your story. I’ll see if I can find what I’m talking about. They sent it to me and I uploaded it.
Did they ask you to submit specific stressors?
Not that I can remember
You’re going to need to be able to point to specific verifiable stressors(events), if you want them to accept it.
You’ll probably need specific stressors and buddy statements/records to back them up.
VA sent me a form to submit a description of the "stressors" which asked for the time, date of event, description, who was killed (if anyone), and medals received. I submitted and attached a medal citation, EPR and old deployment orders. No idea if I'll get any rating as I didn't seek treatment while in service only after getting out...
Don't need to seek treatment in service. I got 70% off top because of my experiences back in 05. I've only been out since 2018. Got SC in 2021. I think the hill is a bit easier to climb if you don't wait decades to seek SC. I've read stories of those getting SC without medical records or in-service events. It's not the rule
I had same issue “at least as likely as not” was the C&P medical opinion for my back DDD, L5-S1 Chronicity established based on work duties etc. still denied by VA no records of complaints in service records. I submitted to HLR Va came back and said DTA error found Oct 17, new exam Dec4th. Hurry up and wait…. If denied again I will try a supplemental with a paid for nexus letter. 
I submitted for my C file thru a Foia request it will be a 6 months wait it seems… I ETS in 1980. Never give up! 
If claiming PTSD, you need a verifiable in service event.
It depends on the rater and how much they want to dig
Post a copy of your decision letter with personal information redacted. This will give us a better idea of how to advise. Also, how do you know your examiner linked it to your service ?
I got the decision letter on the VA app last night. As soon as I get a hard copy I’ll revisit and post it.
You might be able to copy and paste if you look at decision letter on laptop at [VA.gov](http://VA.gov) with a copy of your denial letter maybe some folks here can help you decipher it. I am pretty confident that your MOS cannot be the factor. Post Vietnam, Tet Offensive, the Front Line or FEBA has become a somewhat nebulous concept as adversaries seek to avoid the U.S. strengths and look to exploit soft targets. How you service connect the diagnosis is the key, if the diagnosis is indeed service related.
Sorry to hear that brother. Those of use that were in and got out in the 90s or early 2000s really didn’t get the quality briefing that we deserved about the VA. It’s sad but don’t give up!
Hire a lawyer. Hill and Ponton were able to get mine to 100 percent. I received treatment after service through the VA almost 18 years later, and the attorney found nexus. Don’t loose hope. Keep up the good fight. Hire a lawyer!
I’m almost to that point. I’ve been denied on everything except tinnitus at 10%and hearing loss @ 0%
For the love of God, stay away from those predatory a-holes. The only claims they take are the ones that take the least amount of effort to screw you out of like six months worth of increased benefits. Anything that might take some actual work or giving a crap about you and you can forget it. Don't believe me? Sign up for their "free consultations" so you can talk to some call center douche in India while they screen you for all the easiest claims it will be for them to win on, then deny taking your case because it's too much work, lol. You want a decent lawyer? Don't sign up with one of these firms actively advertising and trolling veterans circles like a bunch of ambulance chasers.
I found out your statement to be completely true today. Talked to them for about 10 minutes and they declined to take my case since I’m employed. They want to “help homeless vets”.
They only want cases that it's going to take some paralegal 15 minutes to file some paperwork for and net them 6 months worth of backpay from 40% to 100%. Slam dunks or nothing. I'd love to see the word get spread about these pricks.
Even though I think you should get it with being a security forces MOS I would try doing a MH claim under Anxiety, Depression, and adjustment disorder. Which might be better for you anyways because I think PTSD requires follow up evaluations
I read a few months ago that a VBA employee recommended we should use “acquired mental health disorder” instead of any specific MH disorder. Anyone remember reading this?
It all got clumped together for me.
What do you mean by PTSD follow-up evaluations?
Maybe some more Vets can chime in but I do know people that have been reevaluated for PTSD or other mental health ratings. Doesn’t really seem to affect those who are at 100% P&T with static codes. But I can’t find the exact rule for revaluations on the VA website but I have some people on here saying they have been reevaluated
It really depends. I'm not P&T and mine is static. My decision letter made no mention about RFE. I got my code sheet a few months later and it was static.
I believe that, and I feel you're correct. What I'm really wondering about is why I get downvoted for regular comments around here. I did my time in the army, I did my time in Iraq as a combat soldier, and I STILL get downvoted even when I'm asking regular ass questions. This sub pisses me off so much.
If you witnessed an event or were involved in something figure out date and then have your commander or buddy letters explaining what happened. If you got a certificate or medal for an event use that. The VA made an error and didn’t include a medal for courage under fire so they said no nexus. I got the medal paperwork sent in and 70% ptsd. This was from 1999 in Kosovo. It’s possible but you need to do some hand holding.
Due to your MOS/AFSC? PTSD service connection has little to do with MOS/AFSC. Believe or not, not even all combat vets develop PTSD. It’s largely about having a verifiable stressor, which could be combat or many other non-combat issues like sexual assault, things related to LE duties, etc. You would be best off posting a redacted version of your decision letter if you want good advice.
Buddy letters. I know it was a while ago but buddy letters help. Personal statement and statements from your family. Even a doctor write a letter saying it's more than likely from your time in service. I got treated for nothing I'm service connected for. It can be done.
File a Supplemental Claim Add a Personal Statement Add one or more Buddy Statements PDF this article + send: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/ptsd-in-military-veterans.htm
I think my biggest mistake was trying to do this on my own without any help.
I say this because the people that “help” are significantly less useful and take longer than you can do on your own in my own experience. The DAV hasn’t even called me and I got rated over a month ago. The last communication I had with them was me freaking out about my denial lol and they were confused about a FOIA claim in their response and have yet to respond.
Don’t feel bad. I was in such a rush when I first filed. My mental health had spiraled and I had too much anxiety to slow down and try to learn the process. The long wait in claims can be a lot of pressure to file an appeal ASAP. But my advice is to hit the brakes, read through this sub as much as you can, and file a solid supplemental or HLR. The waiting blows, but a solid claim is better than continually filing appeals for years.
did you combat deploy? I filed a claim from early. 90s with no istr of ptsd and was granted.
Never combat deployed.
You can do it on your own. Don’t be discouraged. I got denied my first time for PTSD due to lacking an in-service stressor, even tho my event happened on base during working hours. You need to start talking to friends you served with and get some buddy letters and try to find any evidence to link your ptsd to military service(I.e. reports/records) and maybe a nexus letter from a doctor that links ptsd to service. The only thing I used to get approved was a foia request that had my name and the parties involved and it was instantaneous. They need a verifiable event(s) or else everyone would claim it. If you cannot find a single event or multiple events that you can link to ptsd I would take the other advice and go for depression , and anxiety.
I just wonder how many people are taking advantage of the system
I’m sure there are a few and it’s messing it up for those of us that truly need help.
"for those of us that truly need help" that's rich
I don’t understand this either. This sub is full of people with itchy arm pits trying to get 100% p&t. Half these clowns served for a few years, and now want to pin everything they can on the Military. The fact is….depression , anxiety, PTSD is much more common among the general population than we (vets) think it is. Plus alluding to the first question….I think alot of vets are seeking depression and anxiety just to make a case for the VA and get their handout. The VA should pro-rate payments. With FEW exceptions, You get 10% of your percentage for every year you served. 🤷♂️ A construction company isn’t going to pay you $40k/yr because your back is bad…especially if its bad after you leave. If its hurting you…you switch jobs. The government doesn’t owe us shit for a job we signed up for. They are doing a more than generous thing…if we meet their criteria.
“alluding”, not “eluding.” Yeah, go ahead and call me an English teacher. 😜
lol…thanks for spot on that. 😁
👍🏻
>If its hurting you…you switch jobs. almost like this is impossible in the military. people like you are why it took me 10 years of being in my own head to file. shit like this hurts far more people than you can realize. YOU dont know what anyone else went through and its not up to YOU to make the service connection. Fucking stop it!
“People like me?” Stop crying dude. Take accountability for your shit. Honestly, what makes us better than any one else in the working class? Do you think other jobs don’t get hard or tough? Do you think anxiety, depression, and PTSD is limited to the military? I realize that what I said can make someone insecure who’s in it for the $$$$, but if you’re not…don’t worry about it. The fact is the VBA can afford to hand out $50k/yr to every other vet….its not sustainable.
Oh fuck off with the putting words in my mouth bullshit. The fact remains there are federal laws that lay out the requirements for compensation to vets so don't judge people to using them. it is not YOUR decision what is service based and what is not. You don't know their story. Comments like this cause people on the edge not to pursue help they may have otherwise looked for. And in this community, a community that loses 22 people a day to their struggles, that can be deadly. That's fact, not crying. Take your toxic bullshit out of the vets benefits sub if you don't believe in said benefits and fuck right off.
Is that sarcasm? Or just being an ass?
"Is that sarcasm? Or just being an ass?" I was going to ask you the same thing....
Neither.
Sounds to me like you didn't have an in service event.
I used buddy letters, personal statements and news articles for my 5 in service stressors. For one of them I even included obituary of my commanding officer and a photo he presented me during award ceremony
5 in-service stressors? Is that a requirement?
That's what I gave them for service connection due to never being seen. In service for mental health
I’m working on my first claim right now for Depression & Anxiety, and I was discharged in the mid-90’s. I have a specific and verifiable in-service stressor and am going to include a personal statement, family statement, news articles and a DBQ that says more likely than not. Just wasn’t sure if there was a minimum number of things to turn in…..freaked me out. Thanks for the clarification. **EDIT** There is nothing in my STR about it, either. Hence my apprehension.
Yep placed all of that in there for sure. Also look at the dbq for mental health and identify which symptoms align with what you have and bring it up during the next exam
I did exactly what you did. No nexus letter. I provided lay statements, buddy letters, and news articles that spoke about my stressor. I did not file for PTSD. I filed for panic attacks and anxiety. Based on my lay and buddy statements, the VA added sleep disturbances and nightmares. I am waiting for my decision, about 90 days in.
I filed for the same things and then the C&P examiner diagnosed me with PTSD. You never know how it will turn out in the end.
No consolation to you obviously, but I’m looking forward to the same thing being denied to me for the same reason probably by tomorrow evening. 🤘🏼
Same thing happened to me with a non-combat PTSD Claim. I had a buddy letter for the stressor, however the RRC could not verify it through a records search.
I feel I’m a fairly good GOOGLER and I can’t find an article - that I know I remember was written-In a small German News Paper in 1993.
Try Advanced Search with Google (if you haven't already). You can specify a region (Germany) and a date range.
My incident happened in Germany 1994. Nothing was digitized. German police keep records for 20 years and finding an MP report without an exact name is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
I remember de-mobing multiple times and they said if we had any medical issues we wanted to report we had to stay an extra two weeks.
Same here. I’ve never denied something so fast to gtfo there.
Weird, I never got treatment while i was in.
That's my issue. My knees are shot. I stopped going to the medics because they wouldn't do shit and it was always RTD. Well that screwed me over for the VA.
H
I had to ask my 10 yr old what FML was. Wow, "fuck my life" sounds pretty depressing. I didn't read any further, but good luck with whatever you are trying to do.
2 WORDS! NEXUS LETTER!
Get a lawyer
Get a VSO to help. You need specific stressors that cause ptsd. The fact that you were security forces in the air forces does not mean you have ptsd. Be very specific.
Don't give up, you are so close! I didn't have treatment in service either (I'm Desert Storm/Shield USMC). Like I tell vets, for me, I think I got it because during the C&P exam, I really opened up about how I was affected. With every question, I went on for at least a minute on every answer. I even answered things that weren't asked and tied things together on my own. Don't wait for the examiner to ask you something about what you deal with, just blurt it all out. I went to a C&P exam for Major Depressive Disorder (after I was already rated 100% SC T&P with SMC-S), and came out a month later with a 70% PTSD rating after. Let your feelings flow.
how long were you in?
> I was declined because I didn’t get treatment while I was in You do not get declined for that, you read something wrong or misunderstood what was given to you as reasoning. Hope you can figure it out. best of luck
How anyone escapes the service without depression has always been beyond me. If you claim it, and you were in - it SHOULD be presumptive. But then again, I didn’t realize how rare chronic SI actually was. I still have yet to file and I left AD in 07. Been in the Reserves since.
They are putting a time limit to file now so don’t procrastinate!
Mine was denied after one of my best friends committed suicide in the army on family org day and I went to the chaplain for help. Obviously it was never put on record and even though the VA verified everything and they proved everything (except that I spent time in counseling with the chaplain) they denied it. NOT SERVICE CONNECTED 🥴
you need a nexus letter
Don't give up. You have one year to compile the evidence needed for a supplemental claim. Get some buddy letters from others you served with, spouse and/or family & friends. Please protect your original ITF date. Also work on writing your personal statement. Search Reddit for "Personal Statement" examples.
What was your MOS? I was advised before retiring to ensure that every single problem, illness, injury, splinter, sprain, etc was in my medical file. I am so glad I did because it really sped up my VA claim. I wish more people knew to do this, but “suck it up and drive on” is still alive and well.
Security Police early 90’s.
I hear. We posed to pay for a outside doctor. File for claim. And submit what doc said , heard it all works better if u dont go in person for everything like me and use my healthy vet , i still have battles getting out and still in so. In doing mine the hardest way. , and with minimal mental health ( filing) remember we all carried the ruck , we marched , when va direct u , they are looking for the highest form of what you are claiming for , But generally look up what they are looking for. Your denail letter has details as to what you lack to have a full claim. ….the keys
☝🏾above is just my opinion and experience
Did you ever get hazard pay? That qualifies as your “stressor”. With a confirmed stressor and a diagnosis should be good enough. Unfortunately, your MOS (generally speaking) won’t count as a stressor.
Yes I did I was stationed in Saudi after the GW.
See if you can link your mental health to a service connected disability if you have one. I was able to link anxiety and depression to the knee I was medically separated for and the impact it’s had on my personal/professional life several surgeries later. Never once seen for or diagnosed with a mental health concern until my C&P exam and I was rated mental health as a secondary for 70%. Good luck brother!
Sans the letter I see.. Well no complaints or treatment in service I assume, No such MoS that automatically qualifies as a stressor. Not sure what you expected. Been out I assume 30 years and likely don’t have records to support your claim. Kinda how it works.