Okay Really,

Here's what it's like on the other side of the fence. I'll do my best to be specific, direct, and to the point.

It took four years from date of claim to the first check. I was not deterred and was willing and needed to hold out for no less than 100% service-connected compansation. The first thing I bought was a house. Bought and payed for. I have yet to be in this house for a year. 020811

My wife divorced me and my family turned thier back on me.

I have not drank in a long time and did this sober.

I was homeless and lived in homeless shelters for over ten years, sober.

I found a God that I started praying to, who introduced himself to me while I was in the military......of my own understanding.

I have been on SSI because I did not have enough quarters to be on/qualified for SSDI.

I have had food stamps.

I have been on section 8 housing.

I have lived with knuckleheads and buttfaces with no morals or ethics, let alone an understanding of the Constitution of the United States of America,sober.

I have been plugged in with the VA consistantly for the last three years(group), on and off for over ten.

I have seen, and still see for the last six years an expert in traumatic stress, in the civillian world, who auctually wrote up and made the Service Connection that is needed for compensation.

I have heard.......that the VA is quick to kick out 50%......for ptsd to soldiers who were in an active zone/theatre.....werever that maybe....hear say? Don't know.........

So, if I had to do this thing all over again, this is how I would do it.

1. stop drinking, start praying
2. immediately apply for ALL civillian admenities, SSI,SSDI,housing sec8,food stamps,temporary housing assistance,energy assistance anything and everthing, after discharge.
3. file claim, VA, ptsd......asap
4. seek(stay with) outside mental health. get plugged in with the VA. start gathering paperwork from civillian/VA mental health proffessionals for support of claim after discharge.

I have done this thing withOUT psyche meds, probably why I'm still alive, but, I do and still, practice complimentary alternitive medicine. exercise daily and eat proper........and intense out patient therapy,still.

The timeline for all this averages out to be, around two years.....civillian and VA...........................
It's a tough road to ride......I have riden this road......it can be done

My brother is retired AF from the late 60's early 70's.....I watch and here his suffering.....my heart crys for him.....

I am single....and probably will be for a long time.....my kids/grandkids have just started talking to me........I missed there childhood..........

...............................robert frost.....the road not taken........
.....................................flanders fields.............................

..............from the other side of the fence......sparrowstail