I Finally Won
In 1987 I suffered
a complete melt down and admitted to a Psychic hospital for substance abuse and depression. After 4 months, I was released
only to go back for 3 more months. Upon release, I still had no diagnoses. I was referred to a Psychiatrist who specialized
in Substance abuse. He had spent seven years with the VA dealing with substance and PTDS patients. He in turn referred me
to the VA Hospital in Long Beach, CA.
Then day of my appointment
the only thing they did was have some-one interview me for no more the 10 minutes and they would sent me the results.
June 3, 1987, I received the VA's decision, and I quote "Service connection in not established for skin
claimed as residual of Agent Orange and blood viral infection, because it is not shown by the evidence. Service connection
is also denied for post-traumatic stress disorder because service medical records do not show treatment for a nervous condition
and the evidence does not indicate treatment subsequent to discharge." At the time, I would not have been able to pursue
the VAs decision without violence, so I just let it go.
Again,
in 1994 I filed an appeal only to receive the same decision.
A friend from
church, who know my history invited me to attend a Vietnam Veterans of America meeting. I was encouraged to re-open my claim
as a lot had changed since 94. I re-opened my claim only to have it denied due to time had run out to re-file. So, I opened
a new claim on May 2, 2009. On August 5th, I received my results. Post-traumatic stress disorder with depression, Percentage
(%) Assigned = 70%.
Now this is the kicker, in 1987 the VA received
all my medical information from both the Hospital and Psychiatrist. This time, after filling a New Claim and only providing
the information from my original DD214 as evidence, to be granted 70% compensation. My question is since being diagnosed with
PTSD now, why with all the information they were provided in 1987, why was I denied?
PS: I do plan to fight the VA for compensation back to 1987 when I first opened a claim.
