I was medically retired from the Army at age 20, due to an unknown liver virus which resulted in me recieving a liver transplant six months after being
retired. Without going into a lot of detail, I will say that there are times when I will see or read something, or just remember back to that time in my life
(I try not to) and become very emotionally upset. I feel that there isn't anyone who can relate to what I have been through, even other transplant
recipients. I don't feel normal. This occurred over 23 yrs ago and as time goes by, I feel even less a part of society. I just now got over a crying spell
and it is getting to the point to where I wonder why I got a liver and why I am still alive today. I was diagnosed two years ago with dysthymia but I have
never filed for it. I am wondering if I have PTSD. I am currently rated 70%I/U. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
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Is this PTSD?
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 verynicebecky |
Is this PTSD? |
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Posts: 17 07/15/08 17:51:49 |
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Peoplesniffer |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 190 07/15/08 19:07:42 |
verynicebecky,
Please don't take this the wrong way as I am no doctor and don't pretend to be one. My wife and I just got thru reading your post and if you say you got medically retired at 20 and it was 23 years ago that would put you at 43. Being at that age it would be more likely that your going thru your change of life . That would be my guess and my wifes also. You may want to discuss this with your Gyno or PCP. I don't think you have PTSD however I may be wrong. Maybe Patrick could enlighten you on this subject. I hope I did not offend you.. Respectfully, Sniffer |
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verynicebecky |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 18 07/15/08 19:56:05 |
Thank you for your reply, Sniffer. I just turned 44. The transplant was six weeks before my 21st birthday. I began having the emotional difficulties about 13
yrs go. When I was recovering from the transplant I had to stay near the hospital for several months at a type of "Ronald McDonald" house for
transplant patients. I saw many people die there. A girl who was beside me in ICU died. There are just things that I wish I had never seen. I have
"snippets" of memory of this time. I see daffodills and I am reminded of leaving a hospital in Sacramento, being wheeled out to the ambulance to be
flown to Pittsburgh, PA and asking to stop to see the flowers (it was Spring). I remember landing in a Lear Jet in Nebraska and seeing snow....and that is all
that I remember until when....I don't know. I had lost the concept of time. It is all so scrary and I to this day, sometimes find it hard to believe that
it really happend to me.
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verynicebecky |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 19 07/15/08 20:52:59 |
I just Googled PTSD Liver Transplant and sure enough, it exists. Just knowing this helps me feel a lot better and that I am not alone.
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MiltStar |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 2068 07/15/08 21:24:02 Moderator
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verynicebecky,
Being 70% I/U ... there would be no advantage for you to apply for PTSD. You are already maxed out with your rate being paid at 100% (total). If you were to be rated 70% for PTSD you will still be 90% I/U, and paid the same thing. You are not going to die from PTSD, so to apply for it will not benefit your dependents, if you have not been total for 10 years. If you want to be treated for PTSD go for it... being total you will be treated if they diagnose it, without the hassle of proving service connection, and stresser... etc. Regards, MiltStar |
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Patrick428 |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 2547 07/15/08 22:44:25 Go Tar Heels!
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Miltstar said it all. In order to gain anything more, you would have to be 100% in one etiology and 60% in others to be declared homebound. Since your IU, you
will gain nothing.
Patrick
"You can't out sh*t Joe sh*t the ragman"
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verynicebecky |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 20 07/15/08 23:39:17 |
Thank you for your replies. I am not looking to gain, I just want to know if what I deal with is considered PTSD. I want help. I am tired of being this way.
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Patrick428 |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 2552 07/16/08 00:18:34 Go Tar Heels!
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Beccky,
I would suggest that you first submit to a physical examination before you leap onto the mental health wagon. If your physical turns out to nothing out of the ordinary, then request a psychological evaluation. Patrick
"You can't out sh*t Joe sh*t the ragman"
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Falcon |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 695 07/16/08 06:55:57 |
verynicebecky
Get yourself some counseling, see your social worker at the va they will set you up an tell them straight off you have "surviver issues" Falcon
"A"2/12 4TH ID.
"B"4/31 196lib. 11b40 Junction City "LZ GOLD" "PTSD"scale 100%t&p ssd "Those who were there will never forget; those who were not will never know." |
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OIFVetWife |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 81 07/16/08 09:13:59
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Becky,
I so sorry that you're having a hard time. IMHO, I would ask for counseling (it never hurts to have someone to help you work through things!) and get a physical work up to make sure that nothing else is off (as Patrick suggested). You may have PTSD or you may not. But, I think the fact that you're searching for answers instead of just letting your feelings overwhelm you is commendable. My best friend's dad had a liver trans about 15 years ago. He has been struggling with severe depression for the last 5 years. They discovered recently that one of his hormones (sorry, can't remember which one) was off - probably as a result of the trans and anti-rejection drugs. Getting that leveled off has done a lot to help him. Hope this helps! www.FamilyOfAVet.com: Resources & Support for OIF/OEF Vet Families
Important survey for OIF/OEF Veterans and their families. Please help us make a difference in your life! CLICK HERE!! |
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BROVET |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 1194 07/16/08 12:42:56 |
One other thing to consider is hormone changes due to medication (or the transplant). My wife had an issue with medication after surgery that resulted in some
pretty significant issues. The doctor had the "God Syndrome" where she could not possible be wrong. I had my wife see an endocrinologist and he
confirmed that the medication was causing a hormone shift. He changed the dosage and everything was fine after the change. It would be worth looking at. The
liver transplant (as it is life threatening) has to have scarred the sh## out of you and could very well cause PTSD. Anyway, my two cents. Good Luck.
John |
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dean9908 |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 58 07/16/08 14:05:47 |
i am really confused here by the advise!! First what are you 70 percent for (transplant?), is it service conected? As i read it you are 70 % disabled and got
IU and medically retired from the service. please clarify
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verynicebecky |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 21 07/16/08 16:02:51 |
I am rated 30% for the liver transplant, 40% for diabetes, caused by the meds I take for the transplant, and 20% for osteoporosis (10% for cervical spine, 10%
for thoractic spine), due to the meds I take for the transplant and through the magic of VA rating board mathmatics...it am 70% I/U.
I really appreciate your responses. I'm not suprised though. I posted about this issue last night on a transplant support messageboard and so far, no one has said anything. I must be a weirdo, lol. |
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dean9908 |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 59 07/16/08 16:35:09 |
Ok,
Are you chp 61 retired if so down the road it may make a difference in your income if congress adds chp 61 retires to the concurrent reciept rolls |
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verynicebecky |
#14 | |||
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Posts: 22 07/16/08 16:38:41 |
Hmmm, Dean, I don't know what chp 61 is.
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dean9908 |
#15 | |||
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Posts: 60 07/16/08 16:48:09 |
do you draw a retirement from the military?
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verynicebecky |
#16 | |||
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Posts: 23 07/16/08 18:13:35 |
No Dean, I don't. I took the VA, since I only had two and a half yrs in when I was medically retired...as an E-4. Initally I was rated 100%, then later
reduced to just the 30% for the liver..then as the other problems cropped up I filed on them.
Last Edited By: verynicebecky 07/16/08 18:16:46.
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dean9908 |
#17 | |||
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Posts: 61 07/16/08 19:04:16 |
ok where do your seperation orders say you were transferred or do they say your Home of record do you have a retired ID??
Last Edited By: dean9908 07/16/08 19:06:28.
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verynicebecky |
#18 | |||
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Posts: 24 07/16/08 19:46:50 |
I no longer have a copy of my seperation orders, so I can't answer for that. My DD 214 states that I am Retired, Physical Disability - Permanent. I have a
Retired ID...Expiration Date: INDEF
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dean9908 |
#19 | |||
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Posts: 62 07/17/08 07:26:52 |
Becky, by what you are telling me you mayvery well be what is called a chp 61 retire. And, yes you took the VA comp. because it was more. They are currently
tryin to convince congress that chp 61 retires get both military retirement and va comp. So with that said, do as others have said please get to the bottom of
your issues. Now as far as comp and pen for ptsd or other mental health care issues i will not speculate what level of disability you may or may not recieve as
i am no doctor or care giver. I feel it is rather presumptive to advise you with incomplete info. For more info on the duel reciept of benefits please refer to
the CRDP blog on this site. I wish you well!!
Please look on your 214 there should be on the bottom a reference and authority for discharge.
Last Edited By: dean9908 07/17/08 07:34:02.
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verynicebecky |
#20 | |||
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Posts: 26 07/17/08 13:47:33 |
Dean and All, thank you for your support and advice. No one as of yet has responded on my transplant support messageboard! I am feeling much better today.
Dean, my separation authority reads: Para 4-24e (1), AR 635-400 and my sep code is SFJ. My reenlistment code is RE-4R. I did go and do some reading about the CHP 61. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I have called Mental Health and I am waiting for my appointment date. You people are the best. You truly are. Be safe.
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