Serious issues, please help

I recieved a VA rate of 80% for PTSD, it came as somewhat of a surprise because I only went to the Va for help, but I took their rating seriously and started seeing a doctor, group therapy and taking some med's. At the time I had about two years left in a 3 year NG contract. I never recieved a physical or any paperwork at my unit asking me about ratings or med's, so I didn't bring it up. My thinking was that I will just let the contract expire and go out quietly and honorably after ten years in the Guard.

I wanted to just get out but now I'm thinking this is irresponsible because I've been made uninsurable from this. I've been getting denied for private health and life insurance. The unit is a non deploying training unit. And with my med's I can do my computer job fine and I would be able to continue to insure my family through Tricare Reserve.

I really do not want to go through a whole MEB process as it was a huge enough deal for me to go through the VA process. I'm certain I would have a nervous breakdown having to explain myself to commanders and others that I'm not a dirt bag, and why hasn't it been brought up till now, and then having to go into all the issues and sad tales again from my combat deployment. Could I do another 3 years and best case scenario is "don't ask, don't tell", or worse case is to bring it up saying I'm at 80% from VA and be thrown through the ringer but at least be eligble to insure my family through Tricare retiree? I have less than 6 months before my contract expires.

My case is completly documented, from a Combat Infantry Badge to documented incidences where buddies were killed etc. and everything stems from this, plus the Va rating so I know I could get medically retired (or possibly even fit for duty? Do I have to tell them it's at 80% with the VA?) but I seriously don't want to bring it all up again I want to just get on with my life, but how can I do this if I'm putting my family in danger by not being able to insure them or even get the meds I need if I get out? Or should I just do what I was thinking, and just let the time expire and get out?

 

[TSgt Twitch]

Not much help for you, but to say that whatever condition the va is treating your for, they will continue to treat you for as long as its required. If it comes to a med board there are potentially other things that will come up that will help your percentages and although im not certain atw hat point but somewhere in there you wife/kids get benefits from va as well. Also if you are a combined 100% there is always SSDI on top of the tri-care which will offer Medicare/part b.

If you can do your job and function well, then by all means keep doing it. But if your job is going to keep causing you anxiety: i.e. seeing people in uniform all the time, hearing about deaths, smelling the equipment outsides diesel smoke etc. then maybe its time to move on for the betterment of you AND your family. You have paid your dues, noone should fault you for needing help and you owe the NG nothing. It is time to switch gears and take care of yourself and your family.

 

[NDBravehart84]

I recieved a VA rate of 80% for PTSD, it came as somewhat of a surprise because I only went to the Va for help, but I took their rating seriously and started seeing a doctor, group therapy and taking some med's. At the time I had about two years left in a 3 year NG contract. I never recieved a physical or any paperwork at my unit asking me about ratings or med's, so I didn't bring it up. My thinking was that I will just let the contract expire and go out quietly and honorably after ten years in the Guard.

When you came back from your deployment, did you fill out a health asessment? If so, pull your copy and reveiw all your cliamed items........

I wanted to just get out but now I'm thinking this is irresponsible because I've been made uninsurable from this. I've been getting denied for private health and life insurance. The unit is a non deploying training unit. And with my med's I can do my computer job fine and I would be able to continue to insure my family through Tricare Reserve.

At some point (once a yaer) everybody fills out a health asessment. What have you been putting down about your health?

I really do not want to go through a whole MEB process as it was a huge enough deal for me to go through the VA process. I'm certain I would have a nervous breakdown having to explain myself to commanders and others that I'm not a dirt bag, and why hasn't it been brought up till now, and then having to go into all the issues and sad tales again from my combat deployment. Could I do another 3 years and best case scenario is "don't ask, don't tell", or worse case is to bring it up saying I'm at 80% from VA and be thrown through the ringer but at least be eligble to insure my family through Tricare retiree? I have less than 6 months before my contract expires.

You really have no obligation to share any treatments from VA with the National Guard, except when it comes to medial asessments and a re-enlistment medial physical. When you do your weekend drills and your two weeks active duty I'm not sure but I think you have to let VA know that are being paid by the service and I think THAT IS TO BE DEDUCTED from your compensation by them.

You will not be "just given a DOD rating" with out going through the MEB/PEB process, so you will need to decide whats more important to you and your family. Do not fail to claim any conditions you have on any health asessment or physical, that is called fraud and would come back to haunt you later.

My experince has been that once you are no longer an asset to your unit, you become a liabilty and thats where life becomes difficult...... but your choices are limited.

Your Rank/Grade and Ten years of service may answer some of your question. Concurrent Reciept will not come into play, but CRSC should. It will really depend how the numbers crunch out. In the end, you must decide "whats more important" and set your priorities.

My case is completly documented, from a Combat Infantry Badge to documented incidences where buddies were killed etc. and everything stems from this, plus the Va rating so I know I could get medically retired (or possibly even fit for duty? Do I have to tell them it's at 80% with the VA?) but I seriously don't want to bring it all up again I want to just get on with my life, but how can I do this if I'm putting my family in danger by not being able to insure them or even get the meds I need if I get out? Or should I just do what I was thinking, and just let the time expire and get out?

I would not just let your time expire and exit the door unless you decide by running the numbers that the small gain is not worth the large cost (mentaly/physically) that is there.

Are you in therapy.... What does your therapist say? What is your wife saying.... Does she see a difference before and after drill? What are her thoughts about you extending your obligation.

What is the impact on your full time job and occupation.... Or are you filling an active duty slot in your training unit?

Lots Of Questions..... Lots Of Soul Searching..... I Think You Already Know Most Of These Anwers..... Now It's Just Accepting Them For What They Are......
GOOD LUCK