Hi All,
My name is Mike, and am new to the PEBFORUM. However, I have been using this forum for years and it has guided me every step of the way, through my IDES MEB, TDRL-PDRL, and VA concerns. I was medically retired from the USAF in 2014 for PTSD 70%, and Spinal Cord Injury (Syringomyelia)30% AF. I am currently 100% PT with the VA, and moved from TDRL to PDRL in 2015. Now I am here for advice on CRSC. I applied for CRSC in 2014, and received a denial letter roughly 30-60 days later to my surprise. I thought I had CRSC bagged for sure, due to having my unfitting disabilities combat related on my AF Form 356 "A" for PTSD, and "S" for SCI. My retired pay was Tax free, but I took my VA benefits, due to more pay. I submitted the same information for CRSC as I did for the IDES to get my combat related injuries and it was not approved.
Here is the background to my injuries I am trying to claim under CRSC:
PTSD - In 2005, I was cannibalizing some parts off of a HUMMV, to make repairs to another. The ARMY compound at Talil AB was close to the wire, and as I was removing parts a Mortar lands right next to the vehicle I was working on. The motar was a dud, so I did what I thought was right and pulled the door shut on the Up Armored HUMMV I was working on, and Sheltered in place inside the HUMMV yelling for help. The Army contacted USAF EOD, and Army MP's and they instructed me to remain in the vehicle until they can dispose of the munitions. However, I am sheltered in place in 140 degree HUMMVEE for almost 3 hrs thinking that any second this thing can blow, and I can die! Freakin out! Well this is my trigger. I have never been right and I struggle everyday with my PTSD. Unfortunately, I didn't think about CRSC, or needing evidence for anything at the time, so didnt ask for copies of witness statements or incident reports at the time? Who would? I have several other instances I have been in that would warrant combat situations, but this is the one that changed me forever. I know others have it much worse than I, but this event had a huge effect on me. I received 70% which got upped to 100%, and VA labeled it Combat Related. I know this dosent mean much though.
For my Spinal Cord Injury, I was injured in a HEAT trainer. When the HEAT (RHINO/MATV Simulator) trainer was upside down, we had to dismount in full gear and set up a perimeter for CST as fast as we can. When I tried to release the 5 point seat belt, it got stuck and had to use both hands to release myself. I came down on my neck hard and jacked up my back and neck. Shortly thereafter I noticed a burning sensation and pain down my left arm. Went to the clinic several times, and have records of this complaining of arm pain and chest discomfort. They just pushed me through training and I proceeded downrange. the nerve pain got worse down range and I provided AFPC with records showing I went to the medic down range as well with complaints of nerve pain. Long story short, I was diagnosed with Syringomyelia an SCI about a year later after returning. It took an MRI to find the issue and is what started my Med board.
I get that AFPC wants solid proof of evidence providing a link from a combat related event to my PTSD and SCI, but how can I obtain this info? I have given a statement to EOD, as well as the ARMY when the event occurred when I was down range, but I never received a Combat Action Medal for this, nor did I ask, cause the AF is just too lazy when it comes to things like that. There is nothing written in our LOE or Letter of Evaluations, because thats mostly reserved for accomplishments and volunteer crap, or even negative information, but wouldnt reflect incidents of this sort? As for my SCI, Im not quite sure why my medical documentation didnt support this from both Ft POLK where the injury occurred, and downrange where I complained about pain? I even provided a buddy statement for my SCI from someone who was in the HEAT trainer with me?
Now I am working with NVLSP Pro Bono contracted Lawyer to help, me. NVLSP approved to proceed with my case for CRSC reconsideration, but it seems like unless they can get some incident or safety report related to my incident downrange in 2005, CRSC wont get it approved? How can I obtain these reports? AFPC says to contact AF Historian, but will they be able to find this info?
I know there are many of you who have gone through this ordeal or who are currently fighting this same battle? Any recommendations will help greatly. There is no way I can get a witness statement for my PTSD claim for the mortar incident. AF usually dont deploy their Airman as a Unit, like US ARMY does, they kind of shot gun blast us out to the Mid East where we work with other DOD or NATO forces from all over the place. Now there are other incidents that have occurred downrange, like taking on small arms fire to one of our convoys, that I may be able to get witness statements for, but these events are not my TRIGGER. Any advice, suggestions or recommendations are welcome.
My name is Mike, and am new to the PEBFORUM. However, I have been using this forum for years and it has guided me every step of the way, through my IDES MEB, TDRL-PDRL, and VA concerns. I was medically retired from the USAF in 2014 for PTSD 70%, and Spinal Cord Injury (Syringomyelia)30% AF. I am currently 100% PT with the VA, and moved from TDRL to PDRL in 2015. Now I am here for advice on CRSC. I applied for CRSC in 2014, and received a denial letter roughly 30-60 days later to my surprise. I thought I had CRSC bagged for sure, due to having my unfitting disabilities combat related on my AF Form 356 "A" for PTSD, and "S" for SCI. My retired pay was Tax free, but I took my VA benefits, due to more pay. I submitted the same information for CRSC as I did for the IDES to get my combat related injuries and it was not approved.
Here is the background to my injuries I am trying to claim under CRSC:
PTSD - In 2005, I was cannibalizing some parts off of a HUMMV, to make repairs to another. The ARMY compound at Talil AB was close to the wire, and as I was removing parts a Mortar lands right next to the vehicle I was working on. The motar was a dud, so I did what I thought was right and pulled the door shut on the Up Armored HUMMV I was working on, and Sheltered in place inside the HUMMV yelling for help. The Army contacted USAF EOD, and Army MP's and they instructed me to remain in the vehicle until they can dispose of the munitions. However, I am sheltered in place in 140 degree HUMMVEE for almost 3 hrs thinking that any second this thing can blow, and I can die! Freakin out! Well this is my trigger. I have never been right and I struggle everyday with my PTSD. Unfortunately, I didn't think about CRSC, or needing evidence for anything at the time, so didnt ask for copies of witness statements or incident reports at the time? Who would? I have several other instances I have been in that would warrant combat situations, but this is the one that changed me forever. I know others have it much worse than I, but this event had a huge effect on me. I received 70% which got upped to 100%, and VA labeled it Combat Related. I know this dosent mean much though.
For my Spinal Cord Injury, I was injured in a HEAT trainer. When the HEAT (RHINO/MATV Simulator) trainer was upside down, we had to dismount in full gear and set up a perimeter for CST as fast as we can. When I tried to release the 5 point seat belt, it got stuck and had to use both hands to release myself. I came down on my neck hard and jacked up my back and neck. Shortly thereafter I noticed a burning sensation and pain down my left arm. Went to the clinic several times, and have records of this complaining of arm pain and chest discomfort. They just pushed me through training and I proceeded downrange. the nerve pain got worse down range and I provided AFPC with records showing I went to the medic down range as well with complaints of nerve pain. Long story short, I was diagnosed with Syringomyelia an SCI about a year later after returning. It took an MRI to find the issue and is what started my Med board.
I get that AFPC wants solid proof of evidence providing a link from a combat related event to my PTSD and SCI, but how can I obtain this info? I have given a statement to EOD, as well as the ARMY when the event occurred when I was down range, but I never received a Combat Action Medal for this, nor did I ask, cause the AF is just too lazy when it comes to things like that. There is nothing written in our LOE or Letter of Evaluations, because thats mostly reserved for accomplishments and volunteer crap, or even negative information, but wouldnt reflect incidents of this sort? As for my SCI, Im not quite sure why my medical documentation didnt support this from both Ft POLK where the injury occurred, and downrange where I complained about pain? I even provided a buddy statement for my SCI from someone who was in the HEAT trainer with me?
Now I am working with NVLSP Pro Bono contracted Lawyer to help, me. NVLSP approved to proceed with my case for CRSC reconsideration, but it seems like unless they can get some incident or safety report related to my incident downrange in 2005, CRSC wont get it approved? How can I obtain these reports? AFPC says to contact AF Historian, but will they be able to find this info?
I know there are many of you who have gone through this ordeal or who are currently fighting this same battle? Any recommendations will help greatly. There is no way I can get a witness statement for my PTSD claim for the mortar incident. AF usually dont deploy their Airman as a Unit, like US ARMY does, they kind of shot gun blast us out to the Mid East where we work with other DOD or NATO forces from all over the place. Now there are other incidents that have occurred downrange, like taking on small arms fire to one of our convoys, that I may be able to get witness statements for, but these events are not my TRIGGER. Any advice, suggestions or recommendations are welcome.
