Timothy Pena never really knew what was wrong with him until he had a major break down in 2014 after yet another arrest for DUI. In 1980 he had witnessed a Marine commit suicide on board the USS San Bernadino after he received a 'bad' letter from home while in the Strait of Hormaz during the Iranian Hostage Seize and failed rescue attempt.
Although he was seeing a mental health therapist at the time, not until he returned to the VA in Phoenix that he was unofficially diagnosed with PTSD. A diagnosis that was supported with two other community mental health therapists.
Pena was awarded a 70% rating on his first attempt by presenting his claim as if he were presenting to a court of law. He was asking Veterans Affairs to award a compensation that would ultimately last him a lifetime. He suggests gathering all pieces of documentation, medical records, public reporting, and other evidence to support their claim.