Hello, New Here With Service Connected PTSD

[53 panhead]

Hi all,my name is Dave.I,m 56, viet nam era Army Vet. spent 13 months on the DMZ in korea 70-71 I,ve been diagnosed with PTSD---personal trauma,real bad scene so I wont elaborate.
I,m still fighting the VA for a service connection after 3 appeals....hopefully it wont take too much longer.
I now have a lawyer....one of the best in the business CARPENTER CHARTERED of topeka Kansas representing me.:smoking: I,ve been doin battle (LOL) with the VA since may 15th 2002.My current GAF score is about 29 and thats on a good day.The longer the VA drags this case out the worse I feel.
I feel at a loss as to what to do....I,m retired,unemployable due to severe cervical spondylitus.....a disease that attacks the discs in men aged 45-55....so I,m home everyday all day and I feel :crazy-eye:crazy: well....you get the point.I have a great counselor through the VA in wilmington DEL. the VA hospital....he,s helped me get back on my feet to some degree.....he is a former CP evaluator for the VA.

I have all the sympthoms of PTSD, some days are worse than others and I find it extremely difficult to talk to any one about many things!!! I avoid crowds and I dont like leaving home unless its on my Bike(53 Harley Panhead)...I hope to talk to other Vets that are having difficulty with their service connection....thank you all for your time!:occasion:

[becvan]

Hi Dave welcome to the forum.

I look forward to chatting with you.

bec

[cookie]

welcome to the forum, dave.

[anthony]

Welcome to the forum Dave....

[cheryl771]

Welcome Dave. But more than that THANK YOU for your service in the military. Yes, many paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives but let's not forget the price that you paid. It's not easy being a survivor.

[goingonhope]

Glad you found us! And, hope you hang in, continue to seek and find much support, helpful info., bonds, and friendships with other Vets. Here on the forum, and in combination with your life outside the forum.

Glad to hear you have a great counselor, too.

Discuss, chat, share, vent, rant, get it out if you wish, .....and all in your time, Dave, when and if you choose. Look forward to seeing you around the forum and Welcome Aboard !

Hope

[Terry]

Welcome Dave. I'm gonna send you a PM that might be useful.

[WarHippy1%]

Welcome to the forum, Dave,
We have three things in common, PTSD, we both love panheads, and Mr Carpenter has been representing me since '94. He got my 100% rating in '96 and back-dated all the way to '89. Pretty nice chunk of change. People always say they'd like to have my check each month. I respond, "Knowing me, would you still want my check if you had to take being inside my mind also?" I haven't had any takers yet. I also have trouble with that 500 pound front door, the one that keeps me isolated and depressed. I wish I had an answer for ya there, the best thing I've found is PTSD group therapy, AND this forum, oh and my Harley, but you already have that piece of therapy. Good Luck Bro,
WarHippy1%

[wildcritter44]

Hi ! Welcome aboard... My two brothers are Nam veterans, my husband a Gulf veteran. One brother has PTSD, he just got his 100 % unemployability in Feb. My husband has PTSD and we are fighting the VA for his 100% unemployability. My brother got a lawyer and won. We as yet haven't been turned down, so need to wait on the final word. Then if they say no, we get a lawyer!
Any ways since I am merely a spouse/sibling of the PTSD'rs, I can only say hang in there & here on the forum has helped many people.

Good Luck & Take Care

D
Wildcritter

[wildcritter44]

53 Forgot to say the 53 pan is cool according to my husband....

d