New Claim

FEDRNretired

New Member
Registered Member
Hello everyone. First post here. I am stressing tonight because I recently made a big mistake.... I am presently 70 percent PTSD with IU (permanent and total) for the last 3 years now. Very grateful and thankful also to the VA and I have had ALOT of therapy too! .

I was robbed as a young sailor by 2 muggers on a payday weekend in Virginia. My best friend and fellow shipmate was shot on the back and permanently paralyzed from the chest down.A cowards bullet grazed my ear also! It was devastating and it changed the course of my Navy career and both of our lives. About 6 months before that I was sexually assaulted by an Army officer as well. At age 22- it was quite the year for me sadly! It is still very painful to shed light on this sexual assault but it is real. I felt so shameful and I began drinking and doing everything I could to cocoon it and block it from my mind.

In the last year I have been receiving counseling at the local vet center for my MST. My therapist is awesome... she is so kind and caring and understanding. I have been making progress too. In Aug 2021, I filed a new claim for the MST and my hearing loss with tinnitus. I had my CP last week but learned then the CP was for an increase in my PTSD.... I did not know that PTSD and MST were not separate diagnoses! The CP examiner said that she would write in my MST but she did not have access to all my present MST notes. I told her the details of the sexual assault and we ended the session. Later I called the company and claimed foul because she was not prepared correctly to assess me fairly without reading the current sexual trauma notes. QCT said they would schedule a new CP. In the process I realized that I could possible lose my IU or be decreased so I called the VA and withdrew my claim for MST. Sadly the CP results were faxed to the VA anyhow!! Perhaps if it had not been sent and I withdrew then it would have been better. So thats it... now its a waiting game. My claim is in the gathering evidence process but they expect to give me a decision by 24 Dec. 2021. Im praying they accept my ignorance and allow me to keep my 70 percent with IU or maybe grant me the 100 percent? Or they could take away the IU as well and downgrade me. Any ideas /thoughts on this matter. I could really use some support here. Im actively engaged in therapy, taking my meds, not working.... I really cant... too many problems .. dont want to subject my coworkers to my crap! Have a great holiday. lesson here... it you are on IU or Permamanet and total think twice before filing a new claim... get some advice!!
 
Always a painful thing to hear of fellow service members being assaulted by our own kind. Disgusting and disappointing. There will always be predators trying to blend in with honorable members though. Just have to learn to spot them and stop attacks before they happen by intervening at the sign of any red flags.

Of course we could go on about that forever.

Anything that plays a role on mental health is typically strewn in together under the same rating. Mst typically causes mental health anxieties, flashbacks, and pstd in varying degrees. All mental health symptoms are combined and rated together.

I would guess you'll receive the same ratings you currently receive unless there are more severe symptoms on display. Mental health symptoms under the 100% category are pretty severe. Check out the VA ratings regulation and you'll get an idea of how you'll be rated. I'll have to get link to copy/paste.

In the mean time it is just a waiting game to see how the VA responds. From the you have a myriad of options but like I said my general assumption is you'll likely be rated the same as you were at plus tinnitus, which at the 70% area will add just a few percent and not much to the overall rating according to the VA math.
 
Always a painful thing to hear of fellow service members being assaulted by our own kind. Disgusting and disappointing. There will always be predators trying to blend in with honorable members though. Just have to learn to spot them and stop attacks before they happen by intervening at the sign of any red flags.

Of course we could go on about that forever.

Anything that plays a role on mental health is typically strewn in together under the same rating. Mst typically causes mental health anxieties, flashbacks, and pstd in varying degrees. All mental health symptoms are combined and rated together.

I would guess you'll receive the same ratings you currently receive unless there are more severe symptoms on display. Mental health symptoms under the 100% category are pretty severe. Check out the VA ratings regulation and you'll get an idea of how you'll be rated. I'll have to get link to copy/paste.

In the mean time it is just a waiting game to see how the VA responds. From the you have a myriad of options but like I said my general assumption is you'll likely be rated the same as you were at plus tinnitus, which at the 70% area will add just a few percent and not much to the overall rating according to the VA math.
Thank you for your thoughtful and earnest reply. I am praying that I keep my 70 and IU... cannot imagine going back to work now... just cannot handle the stress. Will keep everyone posted so that maybe someone else may learn from this experience. Personally I feel MST should have its own category. It is is a unique traumatic event and should be in its own category. It damages the spirit and ones ability to trust, experience closeness and to enjoy intimacy. I agree... Im not at the 100 percent symptom level... thank God.You practically need to be in the hospital at 100 percent PTSD and no one wants that! Keeping my fingers crossed. Have a great holiday. R
 
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