Shortchanging Vets
Never turn your
Back on the VA!
| The following topics are no longer being maintained, my brain could not handle anymore! Combat Hot Topic" "War Powers Act" Compassion Fatigue Combat Short_Stories Female KIA Spiritual Alienation PTSD FAQ |
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| As I endeavor to get through November 2007, the 40th anniversary of my last Purple Heart, I am feeling a great depression fall over me. As I work on this web site I'm being informed that there is an expansion being made to increase the use of a "Preexisting Conditions" to discharge military personnel from active duty and then being denied Service Connected Disability or a chance for the Department of Veterans Affair to come to their aid! These military personal HAVE or ARE experiencing symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and been told they have; to "Suck It Up", or been told that they bipolar disorder; have depression, stress or some other disorder that was present before exposure to daily combat in Iraq or Afghanistan producing related mental disorders that was present prior to entry into military service, or when they get home they present the symptoms of PTSD and are not treated! This NEW concept is a disgrace and just BS to military personel doing their protecting us from the evil doers of the world.
This would include the use of alcohol as a sedative, harder drugs to relieve the stress of the memories seen or taken part in during their 3rd OR 4th combat tour in Iraq or Afghanistan. Having difficulty sleeping and not making it to formations or other appointments are other signs that something is wrong, Senior NCO and company commanders finds this action other then honorable conduct. These are all basic symptoms of PTSD! But the one thing that hurts the most is that a soldier who has been a member of a team during overseas combat missions no longer feel part of a team,a team that was forged in combat over an overextended amount of time. At one point, the lives depended on looking out for each other in "harms way" situations where split second decisions had to be made. I can tell you from personal experiences, not all decisions are "correct" because war never works that way! The following information MUST BE READ! It presents the information much better than I ever could and it's getting into the press where it can be found! None of the following "Conflicts or Operations" has very been a declared war! Our federal representatives have authorized the use of USA Troops to invade foriegn nations! Korean War; the Vietnam Conflict; Persian Gulf War. Military operations, Iranian Hostage Rescue Mission; Lebanon Peacekeeping; Urgent Fury in Grenada; Operation Just Cause in Panama; Desert Shield and Desert Storm; Restore Hope in Somalia; Uphold Democracy in Haiti; and the ongoing "Operations" Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Anaconda. Many of these actions have taken military lives and some feel that several were no more than "Drive-by Shootings." Help stop this BS and force our representatives to stand up for declinations of War! And not use the excuse of a "Join Resolution" to fund OUR President's combat actions! US senate US House of Representative |
I am a combat wounded Vietnam Era Veteran with a 100% service connected disability. Since 1967, when I was discharged, I had felt that I was in control of my life, living the "normal life" that everyone else around me did. But not until I had a near death experience in a hospital in 1996 that in reality something else was controlling me. Don't ask me what was going on but I was having a difficult time living within my "Personal World! I could not control my anger at the smallest event, I started to drive as though I had to be at the head of a line of cars, my social life disappeared as I stayed home and watched more and more TV what was called "Obtainer" TV. I just didn't want to go to the movies at all, eat in a large restaurant unless I could have my back to a wall! This change came on very suddenly and its effects are still present today.
In 1995, I attended a National Convention for the Military Order of the Purple Heart at Norfolk VA. This gave me an opportunity to meet with others who had been awarded the Purple Heart and learn about the concerns of this organization. Upon my return I went into a major depression and could not account for it in any way. I was just in a "Blue Funk" all the time. My future wife insisted that I pay a visit to my family doctor to get some form of help. During our conversation the topic of the convention came up. He asked me several questions about how I was feeling, how did I react to seeing fellow human beings with lost limbs and other major battle scars, my background of military service and had I had any bad experiences during my time in the Army. The final outcome was his advice to contact the Veterans Affairs Vet Centers nearest to me in Colorado Springs to see if this might be the root of my depression (He later told me that he had suspected PTSD. At this time, I did not even know what Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was but let me tell you since that time I have learned a great deal about its effect on a person's life! Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was in control! What developed for me was an anger that I could not control, depression over the loss of a real "normal" life for 30 years and the realization that I had isolated myself from the world around me and any possible "loved one."
A link to my personal experiences with the Department of Veteran Affairs may help you. You will find information on the referral to the VA by my family doctor, the intake process by a VA Vet Center, various forms of stress letters/reports based on the need for treatment for myself, and other correspondence that I have had over the years. This information will be helpful to veterans wishing to be reviewed for the Compensation and Pension (C&P) Hearing for entitlements offered by the VA [This should never be done by yourself!] Please use one of the National Service Organizations, they are there to help you. Use their knowledge to your benefit! Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as currently defined, is caused by an overwhelming event outside the range of ordinary human experience, such as combat, a natural disaster, or a physical assault. It is also important for you to use these services because we can not remember all the details on our trauma, they can help bring it out for you.
The topics we cover include the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD; Recognition of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as an anxiety disorder that produces some of the examples of the following: Anger and Depression; Isolation - "the world of PTSD", and assistance for our spouses or partners to understand what we are going through and force on them to be a part of it too!
At this time, most personnel will experience some form of Combat Stress that will go away after a short time (Thank God!), and not have PTSD! Most will adapt back to the life they had prior to combat or being in a Combat Area of Operation where combat, death in all its forms, sniper attack, or incoming mortar rounds dropping nearby were present! What I am personally concerned about are the ones who do not adapt, the ones who spent day after day in combat patrols, takes a combative's life, or was exposed to recurrent trauma! We have or are producing a New Generation of PTSD Combat Veterans!
Visit this link to a Brief Check List of PTSD Symptoms!, in a test format and see how you are doing.
I have also started a folder dealing with government reports and the like that you can download to your computer to read when you have the time. This folder will be in .PDF Format so pick up the Adobe Reader if you don't have it. Just give me a little more time and that link will go active!
| Favorite saying to veterans | Experience with Department of Veterans Affairs | ||
| "Be assertive BUT not aggressive" | "Learn the facts before your VA visit!" |
| "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation." – George Washington |
At the bottom or side of most pages, PTSD Support have tried to collect titles of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and anxiety disorder books that relate to that page. If you find a book (s) of interest we would like to request that you "Pick it up" through the PTSD Support's Bookstore. The sale of these books is our main source of income to support this site. Thanks!
Sample:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Source books
Operation Homecoming:
Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Home Front, in the Words of U.S. Troops and Their Families (Hardcover)
Courage After Fire:
Coping Strategies for Troops Returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and Their Families (Paperback)
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. Speak with your “Sick Call” medic, family doctor or Veterans Center representative if you have questions about understanding symptoms, treatment, medication or possible therapy.
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