My Journey (timeline) from No rating to 100% P and T (PTSD + Ankles) : Veterans

Hey everyone,This sub helped me a lot during my process of filing a claim. More so than my VSO ever did. This sub also put my mind at ease, I thought I would share my journey as a way to say thank you to everyone here who helped me.

Part 1 BACKGROUND:

For some background, I was in the US Army for 4 years. I was a medic. I did Afghanistan twice. I came in a private, left a sergeant. I got out of the Army in January 2014. I started my GI Bill and my university had an outpatient VA clinic down the road. Made sense to go there. Since I was a student all my care there was free (Low means test).

I was incredibly afraid to be diagnosed or see anyone for PTSD during this time period. I however did complain about my ankles and did do physical therapy. They ask you PTSD screening questions each appointment. Usually 3 questions. Luckily I was honest, and usually answered 2/3 questions “wrong” so I had a “history” of high PTSD risk on my notes. I was telling the truth though, I did have a lot of sleeping problems and that is what I was there for. I just didnt want to be labeled as someone with PTSD or get my rights taken away (More on this later on). In 2016, 2 years after getting out, I hit a real slump and called the veterans crisis line a couple times. I cringe and am embarrassed I did so, however I identified myself when I called so those were in my notes. It worked to my benefit.

I graduated in 2018 and left the country for 2 years for a graduate program. No more BAH so Im using my savings. Started dating a lovely girl. I have no history of violence, or raising my voice or anything, but after dating me for 1.5 years she told me I was “emotionally unavailable” and she feels like I am just putting on a show/act of being perfect for her. Sometimes I would get drunk and talk about what is going on in my head and cry. Sometimes I would talk in my sleep and she knew when I was having bad dreams. There were times when I acted irrationally, like telling her we need to leave a place rightnow. I just didnt like crowds but didnt want to admit it to her. She knew I was putting on a show for her acting so perfect because she was there when I broke down a couple times. I would apologize to her and just pretend it never happened. She told me she wouldn’t date me anymore unless I started talking to someone and getting myself sorted out. I wanted to keep her, and I figured if I am going to be labeled might as well start a claim anyways.

COVID 19 hit and they let us return home to the US and continue online. I came home and started inquiring how to do a claim. First thing is first, call your local VA and request PTSD counseling or Trauma Services. I understand many of you are wary of this and have tried it and it doesnt work. I tried it too in 2016 and it wasnt very helpful. However you need a diagnosis. Without that your claim will be thrown out. Ask to be evaluated for PTSD. Start following a treatment plan. Dont submit your claim until your blue button report has the notes from your evaluation with the diagnosis of PTSD. Without this your claim WILL be thrown out.

Part 2 THE CLAIM:

My intent to file was put in August of 2020. My first VSO was the legion. I answered the VA’s questions about my ankles and PTSD claim on the website. The Legion was not helpful at all. They told me not to bother filing for PTSD because I never saw mental health in the Army. They told me to just upload my ankle claims (since it was well documented inside the Army and later the VA) but didnt even want to look at it. The legion VSO talked to me as if I was a fraud. He made it seem like I came out of the wood work years later asking for money. They were not friendly. Later on, a friend of mine suggesting this may be because I have an ethnic name and the legion isn’t fond of different ethnic groups. Do not know if that is true or not but I immediately found another VSO.

My next VSO was from my states department of veteran affairs. She told me both of my claims were valid, but ultimately she didnt really do much for me. I jumped on VA.gov and started figuring out what paperwork I needed. Make a desktop folder for your claim. First 3 documents you want filled out, which exist in PDF fillable format:

1. APPOINTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION AS CLAIMANT’S REPRESENTATIVE (Form VBA-22-21-ARE)

2. APPLICATION FOR DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND RELATED COMPENSATION BENEFITS (Form VBA-21-526-EZ)

3. STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF CLAIM FOR SERVICE CONNECTION FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) (Form VBA-21-0781-ARE)

The third form (VBA-21-0781-ARE) asks about stressors. However there are only spots for 2. I filled the form out and towards the bottom inputted I have more and to see my Personal statement.

I wrote a 2 page personal statement about all of my stressors in depth and how it affects me today. I uploaded reference documents, like award orders, my CMB orders, etc… and named them documents 1-5. After talking about the incident involving my CMB for example, I wrote at the end of that paragraph (See document 2). The file named document 2 I uploaded was my CMB orders. I also uploaded my DD214 and referenced it in the introduction when I talked about my rank and where I was deployed to. I named the PDF of my DD214 Document 1 and referenced it at the end of the introduction. I referenced other combat awards also. Towards the end of the personal statement, I talked about how PTSD as a whole began affecting me and how its progressed. I had my bluebotton report from my health E vet and highlighted in yellow each time I was screened and answered PTSD questions which indicated high risk. Also highlighted my recent PTSD diagnosis. I referenced and included the highlighted version of the blue button report.. I also mentioned I did at one point do counseling with some rogue branch of the VA called the “Vet Center” but did not have their notes. The VA never tracked down the notes either.

So I jumped on VA.gov and uploaded the 3 forms mentioned above, a personal statement, and supporting documents of my claims (Awards, Blue button report, orders, DD214, etc…) In total I had 10 documents in the folder. 5 supporting documents, 3 forms, blue button report, and personal statement. I sent it to the VSO to look at. A day later she said it was fine and upload it. Since she had no corrections I was skeptical she even read it, but I just followed her directions and uploaded it. For time of reference, this is now Februrary of 2021 I am submitting the claim. I made sure to get diagnosed with PTSD from the VA and started therapy. Real therapy wasnt available, only group therapy was. Whatever, just take it and go. Im still in line for 1 on 1 therapy. However, showing up to these online group sessions show you are taking this seriously. Its a paper trail you want.

Part 3 C&P APPOINTMENTS

So After submitting in Early February, by the end of March QTC finally called to set up appointments. My appointment for my ankle was first. My Psych appointment was almost a month afterward. I guess they were back logged. I had to drive an hour for this appointment. They paid me 30ish dollars for it. I didnt think the appointment went very well. The doctor only measured my ankles range of motion, which isnt the main issue. Its picking up my foot, I have PTTD (Posterior Tibial tendon disorder). I explained this and she seemed indifferent. She never cut me off, but she didnt seem to really care. I showed her my ankles bowed inward. I went over my history of it with her. I walked without my braces for her. She didnt even ask about this stuff. She just kind of listened. Then she told me to put my ankle braces back on and go for an X ray. I told her the X ray wont pick up anything, its a tendon issue. She said its standard they attach and X ray, I have nothing to worry about, the rater will see my past MRI’s from the military and the VA also. She didnt seem “on my side” or that she was “against me”, but just indifferent. I walked out of there not knowing if she believed me or not. However, I got 10% each ankle so I guess I said/did the right thing in there. I think she was just having a tough day.

A month later I had the PTSD exam. I drove an hour, got paid $30ish dollars again. I was late, not on purpose but because of DC traffic. I was less about 10 minutes late. I looked “disheveled” but not on purpose. If I am not doing something “professional” I wear gym clothes everywhere. So I was in sweat pants and a thermal. My hair was down to my shoulders, but this was not on purpose. Im growing my hair out for a pediatric cancer patient to have a wig. I had a big beard, but again this is because I have a pad of fat under my chin now and the only way to hide it is with a beard. Looking back on it, I appear disheveled but it was not on purpose.

The appointment was 1 hour and 10 minutes on the dot. She was very sympathetic. I rushed into her office because I was late 10 minutes. I was breathing kind of hard from running. I waited a month for this appointment, if I am too late and miss this one who knows when the next would be? I came in and she told me to collect myself in the bathroom, wash my face and drink water. I did. Then I went to her office. First thing she said to me was “I only got 2 of your 5 stressor statements and what looks to be half or less of your files. The VA server hasnt let me download the rest, however this is more than enough to work off of.” I told her I was a medic. I told her what I did out there and some of the things I saw. She was sympathetic and listened intently. I told her about my anxiety and symptoms related to PTSD and how its affecting my life. She asked me some questions, but it was almost like she was helping me. She was “Guiding me” to the right answer at times it seemed. She would ask about a symptom I didnt mention and describe it for me, and I would think Oh yeah I have that but I didnt think it was worth mentioning. She would then repeat the phrase to me “Everything is worth mentioning”. I was not going for a 100% PTSD diagnosis by any means. I only felt I deserved 50 to 70%. Especially since I am “successful” I guess for having a degree and being in graduate school.

I will not reveal what I said to her because it is personal and also because I dont want this post to end up as a guide or cheat sheet for fraud. Just an in depth “What to expect” and a timeline of sorts. Something I wish I was able to find during the process to ease the stress.

Anyways, towards the end she suggested I quit graduate school and seek in patient treatment. Again, I dont know how she got here because I did not mention violence and have no history of violence (After leaving the Army; I got into a couple scuffles at bars when I was in the Army but nothing like that since and did not even bring it up). She realized she scared me a bit though, and explained voluntary inpatient treatment does not count against you. Only involuntary does. A 100% PTSD P and T will not affect my ability to own a gun, and everything about my health and healthcare is protected. Even the government cant look into my VA records without my permission, with the exception of suspected fraud. You only lose your ability to own a gun if you are legally declared incompetent. Then your disability money goes to a guardian. She said I have not said anything to indicate I cant take care of myself or manage money so far so she does not see how that could happen to me. This put my mind at ease somewhat. I told her I am not interested in surrendering my freedom and having myself labeled as a mental health inpatient. I am having a tough time rightnow, but I am not a danger to society. I dont want to nor do I hurt anyone. The only “suspect” thing I remember telling her was that I sometimes see cockroaches scurrying away in my peripheral vision, and that I had to deal with cockroaches deployed and stateside and they really grossed me out. Maybe that would count as a visual hallucination? I dont know. LMK what you guys think. Overall though, she was sympathetic and nice. She seemed on my side. She suggested I get a medical marijuana card, but I told her I cant do it because I am a gun owner and I cant buy another gun if I have an MMJ card. I would fail the federal background check. I told her I have access to it though, and occasionally do it with my friends. She told me I should probably me using more Marijuana and cutting down on alcohol.

****PRO TIP: I don’t suggest being honest with the VA about substance use/abuse. In 2014 in college, I was in a fraternity. Part of the American college experience is drinking a lot. Part of the military experience is drinking a lot. Part of the greek life experience is drinking a lot. I accidentally told the VA during an appointment I was at a fraternity rush event the night before, so I drank a lot but usually I dont. Ever since that day, every single VA note says “Prior history of substance/alcohol abuse”. When I am an old man and in pain, I cannot use the VA because they wont give me pain medication now. I will have to seek outside help. They will never give you pain medication if you have prior history of substance/alcohol abuse within your records. Maybe if you get a very liberal provider, but most VA doctors will not prescribe you pain pills when you are old and need them if you admit to this just once****

Part 4: THE WAIT/THE END

So I was scouring this sub for information. A VBA employee here shared that the bottle neck for VA claims is at the C and P appointments. After that, the raters and VBA are sitting on their hands. They arent even getting the minimum amount of claims they need to get through daily because they get so little. The bottleneck is at the C and P appointments. This made me hopeful. I also saw some people get decisions within a week of their appointments on this sub. Was not the case for me. 2 weeks went by. The claim was still stuck in evidence review which it had been on since mid February. I called the VA, they simply didnt have the notes from the psych provider. I called QTC, they said the psych provider filled out the notes but never signed, so they send her the notes back to sign a week ago and they should come in any day now. A month and maybe 2 or 3 days change after the psych appointment, 25K backpay hit. I jumped on VA.gov. I got 100% for PTSD, 10% per ankle. The website said I was considered permanently and totally disabled. My decision letter came a week later. The language did not mention “Permanent and total” however there was a section on chapter 35 benefits, so I I knew I was P and T from that and from VA.gov benefits letter print out option saying “Yes” next to “Are you considered to be permanently and totally disabled.

So to summarize:

Intent to file: August 2020
PTSD evaluation/Diagnosis by VA: Early February 2020
Claim submitted: Mid February 2021
C and P appointment setup: Late March
C and P appointments: Early April(Ankles) and Mid May(Psych)
Decision: 100% P and T; Mid June approx 1 month after last C and P exam.