Is this service connected?

B

billite

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
I had an an incident when I was a sophomore in HS where there was a gas leak and I had anxiety for about 3 months after. It resolved and I had no incidents until I joined the mil. I never had seen anyone or been diagnosed.

I struggled with anxiety when I came back from Iraq (2004) and did not really feel "chronic" anxiety until after a very hostile work environment for the last 10 years. The anxiety I have now prevents me from a lot of social interaction and it effects my job performance.

I had seen a psychologist in 2011 outside of military channels for about 3 months and I finally talked with a military psychologist last week.

They want to put me on meds, but I'm pretty sure I'll lose my clearances so I have been trying to get all of my documents in order to file a claim.

I am going to be 100% honest to the mil docs to include my anxiety prior to enlistment and the struggles I have had during enlistment.

To make matters more complicated I am in the guard, so orders and active time is scattered through out my career.

So having all of this, would you say that the anxiety was made worse during service, or would I have a hard time proving it?

I honestly feel that the military has caused the seriousness of my condition, but how do you think the VA/MEB would see it?




Also, the reason I have not come forward before was because of the fear of losing my job, which I made clear when I talked with the mil psychologist. Also, when I had seen a psychologist in 2011 I was not on orders, but I am on orders now with the current psychologist.
 
They way I read this is that you have already conceded that the incident surrounding the gas leak nearly 17 years ago is creating the issues that you are currently facing surrounding your "hostile work environment".

You also state that you are in reserves, which may make it more difficult for you to get service connection since you live a dual life as a citizen soldier.

Losing security clearances after seeing behavioral health can happen, but it is not automatic (this is a myth that floats around the military). Read this: http://www.militaryonesource.mil/crisis-prevention?content_id=273266

You have stated that you are currently facing a lot of anxiety from a "hostile work environment" is this from your military or civilian career?
 
Well the way I feel is that my anxiety has been progressive. Maybe because I have never gotten help, but it feels like I live in a constant hyper vigilant state. I gave learned to pretty much avoid anything that causes me anxiety, but I constantly worry about literally everything.

I did have anxiety for about 3-4 months after the gas leak (1999) but all symptoms went away. After Iraq (2004) I felt like all of those feelings have came back and have just gotten worse over time.
 
My concern is my job, as it always has been. If I even have a chance that I will be removed from my job without any compensation I will seek help outside mil channels.

If you honestly think that it would be very very difficult getting compensated for the anxiety then I need to get help from a civ.

I appreciate your honesty and assistance.

Also, I joined in 2002. No anxiety noted in entry.
 
Are you currently active duty? How many years of active duty do you have? Have you filed with the VA for this condition?

Mike
 
From what I am reading this you had this condition prior to entering the military (Guard). So with that being said, you will not loose your clearance for talking to a psychologist, that was changed along time ago.

Question: You worried about your job in the military or your civilian one? If it is military they can not pull you from that unless you are going to cause harm to you or someone else.
 
Meds won't necessarily make you lose a clearance. I was on some pretty heavy depression/anxiety meds and got a secret clearance renewed very easily. The key is to be honest and admit on the SF 86 that you have been seeing a mental health professional. Trying to get help is encouraged, Trying to hide it is what gets the clearance revoked.
 
billite said:
My concern is my job, as it always has been. If I even have a chance that I will be removed from my job without any compensation I will seek help outside mil channels.

If you honestly think that it would be very very difficult getting compensated for the anxiety then I need to get help from a civ.

I appreciate your honesty and assistance.

Also, I joined in 2002. No anxiety noted in entry.
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This is a fact: the only mental health diagnoses that will FOR SURE result in a Top Secret clearance being taken away is Bipolar and Shizo disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective, etc). Everything in between won't get your clearance revoked unless you do something extremely outlandish like kill someone or rob a bank or be a pedophile or sell secrets. Even being admitted to a psych ward for a suicide attempt won't get it taken away. Now what WILL hinder your future employment prospects is if you spread your mental health business around your workplace. Since the stigma surrounding mental illness is still alive and well (no matter what fake ass training they force us to take) within the military/civilian world, people might be apprehensive about working with/around someone who is mentally ill. And having a TS clearance means you're in a smaller knit community than most career fields, so you don't want people to spread negative perceptions about your mental illness to your potential employer, because word travels fast.

If it's just a regular old secret clearance, then you'll be fine.
 
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