So, the other day we were talking and he told me that he plans on making an appointment to get help and possibly apply for disability through the VA. Not 100% disability, but he feels he's entitled to some sort of compensation because he has health problems, as well as mental problems, due to his deployment. This made me really happy. He said someone from his work really talked him into it and really pushed him to do it, because that co-worker did it and he said it really helped him a lot. So, we'll see what happens. I'm going over to his house tomorrow for the week, so I'll talk to him about it more and really kick his butt to stick with it. The extra money will really help him out and he'll be finally getting the help he needs. He said he doesn't think it's fair that he put all the pressure on me to try and make him better, when before he had other people to talk to about it (his dad, his uncle, and his aunt...who are all deceased). Right now, it's really only me that he talks to about it, besides his Army buddies that he hangs out with some times.

He's got back problems, leg problems (he's noticing his right leg goes numb sometimes when he's sitting in bed), he can barely see out of his left eye, he can't really hear out of his left ear, and we're pretty sure he has a bleeding ulcer. All of these are effects from being in Iraq from his deployment and breathing in the fumes from the burn pits and being blown up by IEDs/shot at in combat. Not to mention the PTSD, anxiety, stress, and depression I always talk about.

I guess this past rough patch we went through really did open his eyes. I just really hope he sticks with it, because he says I'm the only person who can really motivate him and kick his butt into gear.

Crossing my fingers...