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c5marine
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Hello,
I have received my C&P exam results following the completion of my entire claim. They stated service connection for PTSD was denied as it did not occur in nor caused by the service. An overview of my claim is below. They did diagnosis me with anxiety disorder, AND link it to military service, however, did not rate it at all (not even 0%).
I am lost know as to next steps. Should I ask for a disagreement/another review based on the anxiety, or should I go PTSD? I feel the competency of the doctor I went to was not high as some of the notes in the file were not accurate and contradicted one another some times (ex. I find it interesting that my 2 stressors did not quality as meeting the criterion). I am working with a VSO now, but would like some 3rd party opinion as well from you guys. Thanks for the help.
1. Diagnostic Summary
---------------------Does the Veteran have a diagnosis of PTSD that conforms to DMS-5 criteriabased on today's evaluation?[] Yes [X ] No2. Current Diagnoses--------------------a. Mental Disorder Diagnosis #1: Anxiety Disorder3. Differentiation of symptoms------------------------------a. Does the Veteran have more than one mental disorder diagnosed?[] Yes [X ] Nob. Is it possible to differentiate what symptom(s) is/are attributable toeach diagnosis?[] Yes [ ] No [ X] Not applicable (N/A)If yes, list which symptoms are attributable to each diagnosis:c. Does the Veteran have a diagnosed traumatic brain injury (TBI)?[ ] Yes [ ] No [X] Not shown in records reviewed4. Occupational and social impairment-------------------------------------a. Which of the following best summarizes the Veteran's level ofoccupationaland social impairment with regards to all mental diagnoses? (Check onlyone)[X] 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 medicationb. For the indicated level of occupational and social impairment, is itpossible to differentiate what portion of the occupational and socialimpairment indicated above is caused by each mental disorder?[ ] Yes [] No [ X] No other mental disorder has been diagnosedc. If a diagnosis of TBI exists, is it possible to differentiate whatportionof the occupational and social impairment indicated above is caused bytheTBI?[ ] Yes [ ] No [X] No diagnosis of TBISECTION II:-----------Clinical Findings:------------------1. Evidence review------------------In order to provide an accurate medical opinion, the Veteran's claims foldermust be reviewed.a. Medical record review:-------------------------Was the Veteran's VA e-folder (VBMS or Virtual VA) reviewed?[X] Yes [ ] NoWas the Veteran's VA claims file reviewed?[X] Yes [ ] NoIf yes, list any records that were reviewed but were not included in theVeteran's VA claims file:If no, check all records reviewed:[ ] Military service treatment records[ ] Military service personnel records[ ] Military enlistment examination[ ] Military separation examination[ ] Military post-deployment questionnaire[ ] Department of Defense Form 214 Separation Documents[ ] Veterans Health Administration medical records (VA treatmentrecords)[ ] Civilian medical records[ ] Interviews with collateral witnesses (family and others who haveknown the Veteran before and after military service)[ ] No records were reviewed[ ] Other:b. Was pertinent information from collateral sources reviewed?[ ] Yes [X] No2. History----------a. Relevant Social/Marital/Family history (pre-military, military, andpost-military):Removed for identity purposes.3. Stressors------------a. Stressor #1: Helo incident in Iraq (shortened for identify purposes)Does this stressor meet Criterion A (i.e., is it adequate to supportthe diagnosis of PTSD)?[] Yes [X ] NoIs the stressor related to the Veteran's fear of hostile military orterrorist activity?[X] Yes [ ] NoIs the stressor related to personal assault, e.g. military sexualtrauma?[ ] Yes [X] Nob. Stressor #2: Incoming fire incident (shortened for identify purposes)Does this stressor meet Criterion A (i.e., is it adequate to supportthe diagnosis of PTSD)?[] Yes [X ] NoIs the stressor related to the Veteran's fear of hostile military orterrorist activity?[X] Yes [ ] NoIs the stressor related to personal assault, e.g. military sexualtrauma?[ ] Yes [X] No4. PTSD Diagnostic Criteria---------------------------Please check criteria used for establishing the current PTSD diagnosis. Donot mark symptoms below that are clearly not attributable to the criteria Astressor/PTSD. Instead, overlapping symptoms clearly attributable to otherthings should be noted under #6 - other symptoms. The diagnostic criteriafor PTSD, referred to as Criteria A-H, are from the Diagnostic andStatistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DMS-5).Criterion A: Exposure to actual or threatened a) death, b) seriousinjury,c) sexual violatrion, in one or more of the following ways:[ ] Directly experiencing the tramuatic event(s)[ ] Witnessing, in person, the traumatic event(s) as they occurred toothersCriterion B: Presence of (one or more) of the following intrusionsymptomsassociated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after thetraumatic event(s) occurred:[ X] Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the events[ X] Recurrent distressing dreams in which the content and/or affect ofthe dream are related to the traumatic event(s).[] Intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure tointernalor external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of thetraumatic event(s).[] Marked physiological reactions to internal or external cues thatsymbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s).Criterion C: Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with thetraumaticevent(s), beginning after the traumatic events(s) occurred,as evidenced by one or both of the following:[X] Avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts,orfeelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s).[ ] Avoidance of or efforts to avoid external reminders (people,places, conversations, activities, objects, situations) thatarousedistressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closelyassociated with the traumatic event(s).Criterion D: Negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated withthe traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after thetraumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two (or more)ofthe following:[ ] Markedly diminished interest or participation in significantactivities.[X] Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others.[ ] Persistent inability to experience positive emotions (e.g.,inability to experience happiness, satisfaction, or lovingfeelings.)Criterion E: Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity associated withthe traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after thetraumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two (or more)ofthe following:[ ] Irritable behavior and angry outbursts (with little or noprovocation) typically expressed as verbal or physical aggressiontoward people or objects.[ ] Hypervigilance.[ ] Problems with concentration.[ ] Sleep disturbance (e.g., difficulty falling or staying asleep orrestless sleep).Criterion F:[X] Duration of the disturbance (Criteria B, C, D, and E) is more than1 month.Criterion G:[ ] The disturbance causes clinically significant distress orimpairment in social, occupational, or other important areas offunctioning.Criterion H:[X] The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effectsofa substance (e.g., medication, alcohol) or another medicalcondition.5. Symptoms-----------For VA rating purposes, check all symptoms that apply to the Veteransdiagnoses:[X] Depressed mood[X] Anxiety[ ] Suspiciousness[ ] Panic attacks that occur weekly or less often[ ] Chronic sleep impairment[ ] Mild memory loss, such as forgetting names, directions or recentevents[ ] Flattened affect[X] Difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or work like setting6. Behavioral Observations--------------------------7. Other symptoms-----------------Does the Veteran have any other symptoms attributable to PTSD (and othermental disorders) that are not listed above?[ ] Yes [X ] NoIf yes, describe:8. Competency-------------Is the Veteran capable of managing his or her financial affairs?[X] Yes [ ] No9. Remarks, if any------------------Anxiety disorder is linked to in service stressorsVeteran did not have any anxiety symptoms before military experience in Iraq.NOTE: VA may request additional medical information, including additionalexaminations if necessary to complete VA's review of the Veteran'sapplication. -
Yes, my next step is to go back and meet with them.
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The complete ruling states:
"Service connection for mental disorder is denied since this condition neither occurred in nor was caused by service"
" The evidence does not show an event, disease, or injury in service. Your service treatment records do not contain complains, treatment, or diagnosis for this condition. The evidence does not show a current diagnosed disability"
I find it strange that I verbally made the connection during my C&P to two events that happened in Iraq and nothing came of it. To my fault, I never reported it while in the service or upon getting out. I felt the pressures of being a USMC officer as that you don't go to medical, etc which is coming around to bite me now in getting an accurate ruling. I plan to go to the VA to seek treatment (I think I am finally over the ego part and willing to accept help, hence my claim to the VA). I am just really curious as to what was documented in the report. I think knowing that would help out.
Thanks for the help. This process is very humbling and administrative difficult. Thanks.
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Hello,
Just received my decision from the VA and only received 10% for tinnitus.
I did a C&P for PTSD/mental disorder and the decision paperwork stated "service connection for mental disorder is denied since this condition neither occurred in nor was caused by service". I did the C&P through a private provider that the VA sent me too who was not overly familiar with the process and seemed to not understand military service well.
What do you suggest I do next? Is there a way to get a copy of the C&P results? I would like to appeal, but should I first seek treatment through the VA to establish that I am being seen (have not sought treatment to date, but should).
Thanks for the help!
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Hello,
I served 4 years in the USMC and got out in 2008. This last week, I finally went to the VA to fill out and submit a submission. I went through our state agency to help fill out the paperwork correctly which was very helpful. However, I am concerned that my delay in submission and lack of documentation will hurt my case. I rarely went to the sick call/doctor as part of the culture of being a USMC Officer was not to go. A lot of the items I am claiming are not documented, but are medical concerns I had and continue to have. Upon getting out, I was so focused on next steps in life that I did not take the time to go through the process. Health issues are continuing to come up on me and I finally went down and applied. Below are the items I listed (without the added info).
How hard will it be to have the VA claim these? Should I start going back to the doctors I saw like 4-5 years ago to get my record (public doctor)? And what chance does one normally have with things like the anxiety where there is no documentation?
- Bilateral Hearing Loss (my record does show drop in hearing)
- Bilateral Tinnitus (no documentation)
- Mental Disorder - No documentation. I have suffered from anxiety ever since being in the USMC and have been extremely embarrassed to see treatment or admit it. When I spoke to the agency person about this, they recommended I put down "mental disorder" as the VA would best diagnose me.
- Broken Right Leg - I broke my leg prior to OCS and is documented in my record. I have tightness in the leg. Not sure what this gets?
- Psoriasis - No documentation, but have been receiving treatment for quite some time since getting out.
- Hypertension - No documentation, but current medical records show it
- High Cholesterol - Records don't show it as being high, but it is high now
- Anal Fissure - Another embarrassing one. Got it due to dehydration, but never reported it. Had it diagnosed once I got out.
- Sleep disorder - No documentation, but do not sleep well at night. Probably due to anxiety.
Thank you for the help. This is a great board and filled with tons of great info. I hope to be able to help someone myself once I go through and better understand the process!
Thanks again.
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Hello,
I EAS'ed from the USMC back in 2008. Throughout my time in I suffered from psoriasis of the buttock as well as anal fissures. Being that these were two very embarrassing issues I did not bring them up to medical nor did I bring it up on my final physical when checking out. I was looking at going through DAV to try to help me out.
Is it even remotely possible to service connect something like this with no records?
Ptsd C&p Results - What Are Your Thoughts?
in VA Disability Claims Research
Posted
Thanks for the reply. The final claim came back and they did not rate anything (not even 0%, anxiety or PTSD). This is what is confusing me. Did they miss something and should I have a case to appeal or file a request for another review?