USAF Denied - PTSD from US/RU Deconfliction Hotline (OIR)

[popnik]

Medically retired Air Force, 100% VA for PTSD.... I was one of a handful of interpreters on the 24/7 US-Russia deconfliction hotline (OIR, 2017-2018). I do encourage folks to google it as there's lots of articles roughly explaining what we did.

Denied for "no direct exposure to gunfire or mortar attack." But the DoD's own regulation lists four categories: Armed Conflict, Hazardous Service, Instrumentality of War, Simulating War. Given that I am not an attorney or versed in intricacies of CRSC law and definitions I checked SW while noting AC..... now I think role fits Hazardous Service – real-time crisis interpretation where errors kill friendlies or escalate to US-Russia conflict. Obviously I cannot talk or submit details publicly or even at CUI that USAF board operates at. I submitted evals, decoration(AFCM) NARSUMS etc. even buddy statement from OIC(O3 at a time). Essentially the denial read that psych accounts are subjective so its not real evidence - despite psych accounts are from MDs.... I am curious if there are any cases of RPA/Intel/Cyber types making a valid claim.

Question: Does CRSC require "getting shot at" or does the Board's denial misapply the regulation? Anyone won CRSC PTSD under Hazardous Service without direct combat? Looking for case law/reg citations to force reconsideration under the right standard.

I am not looking to take anything from those who were in the shit but that experience has really destroyed my mind as I was responsible for their safety. Additionally, I can read regs - they're strict but ambiguous hence the conundrum.

Bottom line is am I crazy? Lastly, are there any attorneys or resources that can at least take a look at my case?

 

[RetiredColonel-MikeT]

Here's the problem, and you can review the definitions for each AC, IN, SW, HS, etc on the last page of the DD Form 2860. The ONLY time I've seen someone get awarded PTSD for other than AC was for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and even that one was a shocker as it's usually only if the veteran was subject to said MST while a POW. I also know another vet who was dx'd with PTSD due to a chute malfunction which should legit fall under HS under normal circumstances, but he too, was denied as were you since it wasn't AC. I tried to find a specific reference for you with no avail, to include reviewing the CRSC Guidance 104 from April 2004 (attached), which was the original program document for CRSC. I even checked the updated program guidance from 2008 which included veterans who had less than 20 years AFS and retired under Ch 61 or TERA. As for HS, below is the definition from DD-2860. Not taking away from what you were subjected to, I just don't see it meeting the criteria.