How to Win Survey Results August 2014    Gary Worthington  Branch: Army Appeal Process Initially filed my PTSD claim in 2009 was awarded 30% appealed and was denied. Service officer appealed again 3 years ago along with collaborating evidence and have not heard a word.  All of this after a VA doctor told me I was the Vietnam PTSD poster child.  Ronald Whicker  Branch: Army Disability Benefits  I was rated 10% right after I got out of service in 1971, for schrapnal in my hip. I applied for an increase in the 80's because of pain, but denied. In early 2000, I applied for PTSD disability, again I was denied. I had a veteran's service officer from the County  that I live in help me file. In 2005 I applied again for PTSD and denied again, but this time I appealed the decision. I had a different service officer help me this time and this guy knew what he was doing. I got 70% total rating, but he appealed again, then I got 100% total. Some service officers are much more knowledgable and really work to help you, than others. Some act like they really don't care. John Paddock Branch: Army Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia approximately three years ago.  This is a disease that the VA recognizes as service related.  It took the VA two years to finalize my claim and I had my Congressman write a letter.  Lots of calls, anxiety, aggravation, etc.  Tough to get answers from VA people.  After two years they accepted my claim.  Now I worry that they will take it away?  This is a very short version of a long story. Paul Russell Branch: Army No Help Nowhere My Career begin in 1979 and lasted until 2004. In 1991 I got off active duty after the first Iraq war. I came back with many problems could not sleep at night had cramps issues had issues with teeth lost interest in being around large groups developed E.D. and my sex life went down the drain. The problem is there was no one there for our problems when we came back. 1 hour of discussions as to how we felt what we saw or experienced while in war nothing after that hour. Claim was filed in 2004 but never heard from VA on that issue. Hated the system that told us all these lies about the military will take care of you. Yea right. Still getting the run around in many issues. Good luck because I have no faith in the system nor the country anymore.

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