PTSD
- PTSD 101 - Q/A Forum
- Dr. Alfonso Batres, DSW, Director, Readjustment Counseling Service,
Department of Veterans Affairs: 202-273-8967
- National Center For PTSD, Behavioral Science Division,
Boston VA Medical Center: 617-232-9500, ext.5923
- Montrose, NY, Stress Unit, PTSD Program --
Montrose has a 45-day PTSD program. Call Dr. Bill Chamberlain. The number
is (914) 737-4400, ext. 2090.
- Web Site: Elaine M. Tripi, Ph.D.,
Rehabilitation psychologist and veteran advocate;
E-Mail:
drtripi@livingonline.com
The "stressor" often cited in VA PTSD claims means the incident or events
that were life threatening. In some cases, a non-life-threatening scenario
can be considered a "stressor" (ie: seeing dead bodies) but usually not. The
veteran generally must be able to prove that his life was in some imminent
danger. Sometimes the veterans record book will reflect this, such as service
in an infantry unit, accompanied by the combat operations that unit was in,
etc.
There have been many incidents I've personally
experienced when a veteran made claim that something in his military service
(non-combat) caused stress. Unless there is some notation in the person's
record, proof and a subsequent claim award are very difficult to come by.
The most common way of obtaining "proof" not in the record is by statements from
others who were with the veteran at the same time and can validate the
veteran's claim of what happened. Many veterans' magazines run
"locator" sections for just this purpose. Other methods include searchs of
unit records.
The bottom line is this. The VA claims to be non-adversarial, but that is an
utter joke. When a claim is made, they are as adversarial as can be. In order
to succeed, the burden of proof is on the veteran. There is no "benefit of
the doubt." In order to win, you need patience, perserverence, and
persistance. But you also need "proof."
Bill Lewis
PTSD: record in a diary all you can remember and how you feel each
and every day about it. Also, have your wife or girlfriend keep a diary, too,
recording how many times you get up at night and did you have the sweats,
dreams -- what's going down in your nights -- put it down on paper. Then after a
month of this, read what you wrote.
If you need any other help call me.
Keith Miller
Veterans' Attorney
E-mail:
Sulaw@aol.com
BOOKS ON PTSD
- Goodwin, J. "Continuing Readjustment Problems Among Vietnam Veterans." A
pamphlet published in 1980 by the:
- Disabled American Veterans
- National Headquarters
- PO Box 145550
- Cincinnati, OH 45250-5550
- Hansel, Sarah, Ann Steidle, Grace Zaczek, Ron Zaczek, eds. "Soldier's
Heart: Survivors' Views of Combat Trauma." Lutherville, MD : Sidran Press,
1995. ISBN 0-9629164-6-3.
- Mason, Patience H.C. "Recovering from the War: A Woman's Guide to Helping
Your Vietnam Vet, Your Family and Yourself." New York : Penguin Books,
1990. ISBN 0-14-009912-3
- Matsakis, Aphrodite. "Vietnam Wives: Women and Children Surviving Life
with Veterans Suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder." 2nd ed.
Lutherville, MD : Sidran Press, 1996.
The address and phone number of Sidran Press is:
- 2328 W. Joppa Rd., Suite 15
- Lutherville, MD 21093
- Phone: (410) 825-8888
The above information should be enough for you to check your local public
or college libraries for the books or to order them through a local
bookstore.
Ann Kelsey
1997
Revised 02-04-98 by DGS
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