ptsd Ptsd

[DuRock]

Filed for PTSD on July 13th of this year, dont know why I waited this long, had many buddies tell me to do it earlier. Seems to be moving along at a very good pace so far, had my first visit with a Psych yesterday. Almost 2 months to the day from filing to exam, that seems very short compared to a lot of things I read in the forum here. At any rate this was an outside vendor type Psych that I saw, this guy was super nice and very helpful. He instructed me on how to give my answers to him in a way that would make it easier on the rater when he reviewed his report. The exam lasted exactly 2 hours and covered a lot of material, even though my stomach was in a knot for 3 days prior to the appointment and I couldn't sleep the night before, but this guy really seemed to care and when I started getting emotional he had me stop and kind of regroup my feelings and then start again. For some reason I felt really relieved when I left that place, such a load was lifted off of me. Well anyway we will have to wait and see how it goes from here, I just wish everyone could get someone similar to this guy, he was very professional and very knowledgeable of the process and he was very thorough. Vietnam Vets Forever!

[stillhere]

Sounds like a pretty through exam but who knows these days. Mine was about the same but way shorter less than an hour. If you already have the DX from the VA and you have provided the required stressor from Nam then it is just up to the rater to decide how it is effecting your live today and that is that.

If you want, go to the rating criteria for mental health and get a feel for where you might fall.

Good luck to you!

[*Bergie*]

Filed for PTSD on July 13th of this year, dont know why I waited this long, had many buddies tell me to do it earlier. Seems to be moving along at a very good pace so far, had my first visit with a Psych yesterday. Almost 2 months to the day from filing to exam, that seems very short compared to a lot of things I read in the forum here. At any rate this was an outside vendor type Psych that I saw, this guy was super nice and very helpful. He instructed me on how to give my answers to him in a way that would make it easier on the rater when he reviewed his report. The exam lasted exactly 2 hours and covered a lot of material, even though my stomach was in a knot for 3 days prior to the appointment and I couldn't sleep the night before, but this guy really seemed to care and when I started getting emotional he had me stop and kind of regroup my feelings and then start again. For some reason I felt really relieved when I left that place, such a load was lifted off of me. Well anyway we will have to wait and see how it goes from here, I just wish everyone could get someone similar to this guy, he was very professional and very knowledgeable of the process and he was very thorough. Vietnam Vets Forever!

It's nice to hear that your exam went so well. I had a similar exam for my claim for increase in my PTSD. I filed in May and just got the SOC today. I was increased from 50% to 70%, but I really should have been rated at 100%.

Good luck,

Bergie