ptsd ptsd re eval

[Smirak]

I had a re eval for my ptsd rating, which incidentally I only got 6 months ago. No clue why I had a re eval so soon? Got the notes today and compared them to the initial evaluation 6 months ago. 

 

This statement is exactly the same on both evals:

  -------------------------------------
    a. Which of the following best summarizes the Veteran's level of 
occupational
       and social impairment with regards to all mental diagnoses? (Check only
       one)
       
       [X] Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work
           efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform
           occupational tasks, although generally functioning satisfactorily,
           with normal routine behavior, self-care and conversation

    b. For the indicated level of occupational and social impairment, is it
       possible to differentiate what portion of the occupational and social
       impairment indicated above is caused by each mental disorder?
       [ ] Yes[ ] No[X] No other mental disorder has been diagnosed

 

However under this part, a note for delusions, hallucinations is left off the second eval and was on the first. She did note it in the remarks section later, but it was something discussed in detail a this re eval?

 

 4. Symptoms
    -----------
    For VA rating purposes, check all symptoms that actively apply to the
       Veteran's diagnoses:
       
       [X] Depressed mood
       [X] Anxiety
       [X] Panic attacks more than once a week
       [X] Chronic sleep impairment

Im currently 70% PTSD and am not sure what to make of this. Thoughts?

 

Thanks for any input       

[Vync]

It is not uncommon for the VA to request re-examinations. Six months is a bit of a short period of time for a new exam, but depending on the situation it can vary depending on the situation.

Unless your original award stated "permanent", "not expected to improve", or "no future exams", this can happen periodically. Until a rating has been at the same % level for 5+ years, they can request new exams from time to time. Your award letter might also have stated something like "your conditions are expected to improve in the future", which could be why they brought you back in.

Your rating is predicated by the impact the MH conditions have on your occupational and social life (see the table further below).

If they checked the same boxes on both exams, odds are you might get a continued rating at the same % level. The box they checked actually matches the 30% rating criteria, but if your delusions/hallucinations are persistent, that matches the 100% criteria. Based on what you posted, I assume the VA factored in additional symptoms from your first C&P to qualify you for the 70% rating. The best way to find out is to pull out your original award letter and compare it to both C&P exams. The award letter will explain how the VA came to award your 70% rating.

If you are not working, you should consider filing for SSDI and also for IU with the VA.

I hope this information helps!

 

a. Which of the following best summarizes the Veteran's level of 
occupational
       and social impairment with regards to all mental diagnoses? (Check only
       one)
       
       [X] Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work
           efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform
           occupational tasks, although generally functioning satisfactorily,
           with normal routine behavior, self-care and conversation

    b. For the indicated level of occupational and social impairment, is it
       possible to differentiate what portion of the occupational and social
       impairment indicated above is caused by each mental disorder?
       [ ] Yes[ ] No[X] No other mental disorder has been diagnosed

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?rgn=div5;node=38:1.0.1.1.5#se38.1.4_1130

General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders

	Rating
Total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms as: gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name.	100
Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting); inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.	70
Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment of short- and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learned material, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; impaired abstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.	50
Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, recent events).	30
Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication.	10
A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication.	0

[Smirak]

Thanks for your input. I guess my main question and wondering if its an issue that hallucinations/delusions were not listed under symptoms this time and they were last time. Yet, Ive had no change in that area. Wondering if the fact that they didn't list that symptom can affect me.