VSO Update
We found the paperwork SO lost but he had already visited with the VSO and filled out a new copy which was then given directly to an assistant for the senator’s office. Apparently there was a big veterans support meeting /convention like thing and that’s where SO meet up with the VSO.
He also got to reconnect with the nonprofit that he will be starting counseling through. My only worry is they won’t actually be able to do much him with his disability claim. If I understand correctly they aren’t professionals but more a veterans helping veterans support group kind of thing. We really need to get him diagnoses so we can put in the claim.
Hopefully they track down evidence of his deployment soon and we can get him in at the VA. We’ve got till September or he’ll lose his intent to file date.
Comments
if
He is anything like Chef he will be too proud to accept any help from the government but not proud enough to spend your money.
SO works hard to contribute
SO works hard to contribute to the house and takes far less than I do in terms of spending on self. I do help support the basic needs of the children finically but that was my choice from day one. We share our home and basically every payday SO gives me almost all of his check leaving himself 20 to 60 dollars in the bank to cover little things that come up for him. I use that to help pay all our bills, buy food, keep gas in the tank, and so on. But when it comes to “play” money I spend far more than him. I also do bring in more than him. I also have a 401K that we’ve agreed to do a prenup to protect for when the time comes.
Yes he is very proud and doesn’t want to admit he is “disabled”. He afraid of it effecting his job or BM using it against him. He sees my mom who HAS to be retired but her rating is “unemployable” and would not apply to him.
Even if he has
a diagnosis from a doctor he can submit documentation from any other facility/support group, etc.
Also, a diagnosis won't help him in general. The VA only goes by the comp and pen exam which is scheduled with "special" doctors and lasts all day one day. And they don't necessarily diagnose what another doctor will. For example, my husband has a well documented TBI. He has been treated for TBI at VA facilities for over a decade. And comp and pen refused to say he has a TBI. They just pretend it doesn't exist. We are hoping to have that corrected when he does his five year comp and pen follow up next year but who knows.
Is there a reason he needs the deployment documentation to continue? The VA will see any and all injuries from military service, not just combat or deployments. A VA doctor can also diagnose PTSD, get the information from he veteran and then recommend a comp and pen evaluation based on that while you are looking for additional paperwork. You can also apply for VA medical prior to a claim for compensation. For that all he needs to proof of service.
In order to claim physical
In order to claim physical disability, he needs to show evidence of incident that caused disability so he needs records of what happened like something blew up and when and where and where he was treated for it. He needs none of that for PTSD diagnosis. He has proof of service, they don’t need to see if he was deployed. VA doctors will do the test and determine if he has PTSD. Him being deployed or injured will not help wuth diagnosis of PTSD. They’ll do their own exam. He doesn’t need full records to see a VA doctor and schedule comp eval. If he has PTSD he could get that ball rolling right away without full records of deployment. I’d not wait another day.
I was there when the VA
I was there when the VA therapist told him they COULD NOT treat him for mental health because he does not have any service related evidence that they should. That is why we are tracking down his records from when he was overseas and trying to also get the medical records which are also missing.
This isn’t stuff I’m just believing him on. I’ve spoken to the VA, VSO, and seen the all of the paperwork he has gotten.
Yes he could go to someone outside of the VA to get treatment but we cannot afford it. I already have a psychiatrist to treats me for a diagnoses I’ve had since I was in my early 20’s (well before I met him). Even with my insurance I pay 40 in my copay and a while back I talked about how it was nearly impossible to get a doctor in the first place. SO does not have insurance and we can’t afford to pay the full price of him seeing someone which would easily be 200+ for each visit and he would need multiple to get a diagnoses that the VA will only accept if he proves it came from his time in the army. We HAVE to have his records to do that so why pay out of pocket when they will also qualify him to get service from the VA.
He will be going to a nonprofit standalone that will “treat” him for his PTSD. The issue is it’s not professionals. It’s more a soldiers supporting soldiers group.
I just dont buy it!! How
I just dont buy it!! How would some documents provide "evidence" that he needs mental health treatment?? A mental health evaluation is the ONLY thing that provides evidence of needing mental health care. A piece of paper saying he was in X place doing Y and Z things doesn't prove shit regarding mental health. Two soldiers can experience the exact same situations and one may need treatment while the other doesn't. Your explanation makes ZERO sense.
Yeah, if he walked into the VA and told them, "I have PTSD, treat me now!" They are going to say, "hold up." But if he walked in there asking for a mental health evaulation, they HAVE TO GIVE HIM ONE.
I’m not saying I understand
I’m not saying I understand their reasoning fully. What I’m saying is I was there too when the therapist said they have no evidence that they need to provide him mental health services. Right now all of the records we have just show him being in the army here in America.
There is nothing showing that he was ever in combat, faced any sort of trauma, or was even overseas.
This isn’t just him saying it and the VSO is up to date on this issue. We went straight to her when he was turned away. She was frustrated too but has said we’ll have to wait for the paperwork.
You’re not the first one to say you don’t get it. I’m not saying I do but I’m saying this is true and I know it to be fact because I observed it firsthand.
Let us remember that the VA is KNOWN for its failure to provide mental health services. That’s why programs like I’ve Got Your Six exist. About 20 Veterans commit suicide every day because we as a country fail to support them.
Actually, we have always been
Actually, we have always been very happy with the VA health services my husband receives. I know there are failures, but blaming them all on the VA is a disservice to the thousands of health care workers choosing to make considerably less income working in VA hospitals than they could elsewhere. They do so because they care, not to stick it to vets who are struggling.
The fact is your DH is entitled to a mental health evaluation from the VA just as much as he is entitled to a physical health evaluation, free of charge, once a year. This fact doesn't change no matter where or when one serves, or how poorly run your local VA may be. All He needs for these benefits is his DD214, which he HAS, it is just missing information. Even if he NEVER SAW COMBAT, these services are his right. He will probably have a fairly long wait-time once he actually schedules the evaluation, but this could have been done months ago.
So, either that therapist didn't communicate the process very well, or the two of you are hopelessly confused as to how any of this works.
I also have to add: NONE of the obstacles your DH is facing is the fault of the VA. My DH kept meticulous records of his time in the service, and he also suffers PTSD symptoms. Your DH is 100 percent responsible for this mess. "Keep track of your shit" could've been the military's motto. He was told repeatedly to maintain his own records of service.
Congratulations. The VA where
Congratulations. The VA where you work is a good one. I’ve watched both my parents fight for years for the services they are owed and I don’t appreciate you insulating my intelligence.
The therapist stated she cannot treat him as she doesn’t not have evidence that he needs treatment. She checked to make sure he wasn’t in crisis mode then sent us out. We spoke with the VSO who acknowledged we will have to wait.
You don’t seem to understand that your situation is not the same as ours. You assume that we must just be misunderstanding because it’s not going the same was for us as it did you.
Please just stop. You’re not offering any helpful advice and only belittling me. He has summited the paperwork needed to help them find his records from overseas. We’ve made progress slowly but surely and we have help with it who KNOWS the system just as well or better than you think you do.
I have offered you the only
I have offered you the only advice you need!! Repeatedly!! LOL
The best advice you can get is:
1. Dh calls the VA.
2 DH makes a mental health evaluation appointment.
I gave you this advice many, many months ago. Yes, I'm going to be frustrated and blunt with you when you come back month after month bad-mouthing the VA because your DH dropped the ball and keeps kicking it down the road in the opposite direction of the goal.
I have successfully helped my DH navigate ALL of this, including getting his DD214 corrected to include all of the medals he earned. It took us four months from beginning to end and that also included securing his G.I. benefits so he could attend college, as well as setting up the mental health evaluation so he could begin seeing a VA psychologist. I was ovaries deep into the VA. But go ahead and tell me to shut up and that you know better....it seems to be working out so well for you.
And I’ve repeatedly said,
And I’ve repeatedly said,
1. SO Has called the VA
2. SO requested mental health services
We have been to the VA TOGETHER so I know he’s not lying. They WILL NOT TREAT HIM. Which you keep trying to say is wrong and I keep telling you YOU’RE WRONG.
That’s why I’m telling you to stop. Because YOU’RE WRONG. OMG YOU'RE WRONG. AGAIN YOU'RE WRONG.
You successfully helped him get his DD214 CORRECTED. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING. We're getting his records and files collected and corrected.
We are working with a VSO. This isn’t on our own and this isn’t want he’s telling me. We have the senator’s office helping us. This isn't just one person telling us to bug off. This is mulitple people saying jump through they hoops and the issue I complain about is that my SO is slow to jump and when he does there's another that we didn't expect.
My SGD-16 apparently has...
PTSD, anxiety, depression & requires a mood stabiliser.
I bring this up because she has State & Federal benefits. 10 pills/day allocated by the 'other state' foster system.
She is here on visitation & I felt offended for all the legit PTSD suffering folk. Crappy parenting = PTSD, apparently. I was surprised by the medication list.
Parental neglect could cause
Parental neglect could cause PTSD. Yes PTSD is hard to diagnose as many folks claim PTSD as an excuse for whole ton of stuff. But it’s not uncommon to develop PTSD due to terrible parenting. 10 meds sounds extreme!
PTSD is the "service animal"
PTSD is the "service animal" of the mental health arena. Just like people claim service animal status via amazon vests and online certificates.. many people use the PTSD excuse to explain why they are not doing anything productive.. when I am fairly certain that it is not due to any trauma.. but more due to their laziness and snowflakeitis. (note I understand it is a real syndrome.. but many people coopt it as their own excuse)
Right. Some people self
Right. Some people self diagnose themselves with having it because they went through some hard times. It's like those who claim they're "OCD" because they're anal about certain things. Some people throw mental health diagnosis around as if they can take on the label because they checked a few boxes in an online quiz.