ptsd Ptsd non combat

flipper331 · November 27, 2016

I have a up coming C&P exam for my ptsd non combat claim. I never reported it while serving, for fear of losing my job because the situation.

what can I expect?

thank you

Andyman73 · December 9, 2016

Buck,

I do get it, I really do, but since I already have a denied claim for MDD due to that horrible C&P exam, and now it's in the 4-5 year NOD life cycle, can I still file a non C PTSD claim?

I do have several SCDs that originated from my event, the fall down the stairs, and then the effects of the injuries during my enlistment afterwards.

And since my VA shrink doesn't want to entertain the idea of PTSD, do I need the DX to file the claim? Or can that be DXd during the C&P exam?

And what if I get that same examiner that screwed me over, again? I'd be double done in...

Stuck between a rock and a hard place...

Tyr · December 9, 2016

Andy,

If I'm understanding you right, you have an appeal open for MDD now, correct? If so, your PTSD claim would probably get lumped into that appeal.

For non-combat PTSD, the VA has to have a verified, (or conceded) event. Verified type things would/could be a mugging from a police report, a car accident from the same etc. The conceded type things would be where a rater would basically look at all the evidence and say "yep, its reasonable to assume the veteran did this/saw this". For example, if you witnessed a plane crash, and your job was at an airfield where the verified crash occurred, the VA would basically say that its reasonable that you saw it. The VA isn't going to look for duty logs etc, to make sure that you weren't on a detail somewhere else that day. (They will look at whats in the file, but won't go digging for stuff. So if there is a record of you being on leave or in school in Texas when you were stationed at Pope AFB where there was a plane crash that you said is your stressor, then there is evidence that says you weren't there. But if everything aligns with you being there, then great. Clear as mud?)

Anyway, for you - if you have SC injuries from when you went down some stairs, it sounds like there is a good likelihood that the VA will concede your stressor, assuming your records say that you have a broke leg, back issue etc due to falling down the stairs. If your records don't support that, then the stressor will have to be verified. Yours would be a tougher row to hoe since its not a verifiable thing, like a fatality would be. It can still happen, its just tougher to do. This is where buddy statements and things of that nature help.

All that said, you still need to get a dx of PTSD to be service connected for it. And if your current doc wont give you one, that makes it even more difficult. A DX of PTSD can be given at exam, yes. But like I previously mentioned, I'd really expect it to get lumped in with your MDD appeal. PTSD and MDD are too close together (IMO) for them to be not intertwined, and the VA will only SC you for one MH issue. The VA does not like at all to have a regular claim mixed up with an appeal. At times, the appeals side may worry about the regular claims, but the regular side will pretty much never involve themselves in appeals. They will say "Your claimed condition of XXXX is currently under appeal, and will be dealt with in the appeals process". (You may have more than one diagnosis, but its all going to be balled into one rating, generally.) You aren't going to be SC for PTSD at 50, then SC for MDD at 30 on top of that. Or someone messed up bad if you are lol.

I hope that helps a bit.

Buck52 · December 10, 2016

Andyman

check with Dr Bridget Cantrell

here is her web site

WWW.Bridgetcantrell.Com

You can send her an email off her web site she will be glad to help you...she will get back with you.

she is from Bellingham Wa, 98225-7367

her phone#360-714-1525

you can listen to her on the hadit podcast radio show typed live on 12 -9-2016 STARTING AT 7:00PM Eastern time 6:00pm Centeral

Jerrel and John interview her on the show and she tells what all she does and this helping veterans and civillians a like with behavorial problems such as PTSD AND SHE SAYS THAT IS HER CALLING AND SHE LOVES WHAT SHE DOES.

Let her know how you were before military and how you are after military,(behavior) it don't matter when you get help or file a claim.

she is very veteran friendly and great to talk with...I believe you will like her.

don't let them (VA)say you have a personality disorder/You can still have depression and PTSD they just rate on one or the other using your symptoms.

if you have medical records to back you up go to your VAMC MH Dept ask to have a screen or consult for PTSD. see a L.C.S.W he can assess you and then take you to a VA MH psychiatrist or P.A. THEY WILL ASK YOU A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS and make the diagnose. You actually need a diagnose from the VA Dr's

They can say you have Unspecific Depressive Disorders caused or aggravated by PTSD or something to this nature depends on what they say about your PTSD Diagnoses...And your symptoms.

Once you get a VA Diagnose for DSM 5 PTSD it makes he easier to get S.C. and a rating.

Andyman73 · December 11, 2016

Tyr,

The only record of my fall is the ER write up from when the ambulance brought me in. On it is noted all areas where I complained of pain, and loss of consciousness due to falling down the stairs. Then the write up checking all the areas noted for pain. And the DX for knees and low back injury/pain. And then various entries for follow up for continued pain over my 6 year enlistment.

My back was SC right from my EAS, but it took 2 years for my knees due to my PCP lack of concern. She retired and her replacement sends me to an Orthopedic specialist in Philly, then got the SC for my knees.

As for any report besides that, I wouldn't know where to even look for that.

As for my MDD in appeals, I don't know if I can wait 4 years to file a claim for non-combat ptsd.

Andyman73 · December 11, 2016

Buck,

I will check out her website this evening. Thanks for her info. I just want to talk to someone who understands and really does want to help me.

As for medical records, I don't have any pertaining to MH while in the service. But do have the entry related to my alcohol related incident and subsequent substance abuse evaluation.

Would that be enough to get the ball rolling with my VAMC MH department for a non-combat PTSD evaluation? It really bugs me that my current doc didn't want to do one for shits and giggles. Not only that, but he never wants to talk about what got me there to begin with.

I would be fine to answer hundreds of questions, if they would just give me the chance. I hope and pray they do. Thanks Buck.

Buck52 · December 13, 2016