Jump to content

Ask Your VA   Claims Questions | Read Current Posts 
Read VA Disability Claims Articles
 Search | View All Forums | Donate | Blogs | New Users | Rules 

Top 10 VA Disability Claims Articles

Kimmy

Second Class Petty Officers
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    84

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Kimmy

    Virginia Tuition Waiver

    in Veterans Benefits State & Federal

    Posted

    This tuition waiver can be used in conjunction with Chapter 35 benefits. We just completed this process for our daughter.

    Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program


    The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Program (VMSDEP) provides education benefits to spouses and children of military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who became at least 90 percent disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict. Military service includes service in the United States Armed Forces, United States Armed Forces Reserves, the Virginia National Guard, or the Reserves. Armed conflict includes military operations against terrorism or as the result of a terrorist act, a peace-keeping mission, or any armed conflict after December 6, 1941.

    • NOTE: A Veteran’s 90-100% disability must have been directly caused by the Veteran’s involvement in: 1) military operations against terrorism; 2) a peacekeeping mission; 3) a terrorist act; 4) an armed conflict subsequent to December 6, 1941. The service connected disability cannot have been incurred during active duty that coincides with, but was not the direct result of, one of the listed events/missions.

    The purpose of VMSDEP is to provide undergraduate or other postsecondary education to eligible participants by providing a waiver of tuition and all required fees associated with tuition at any public institution of higher education or other public accredited postsecondary institution granting a degree, diploma, or certificate in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Benefits are available for up to 36 months.

    http://www.dvs.virginia.gov/education-employment/virginia-military-survivors-and-dependents-education-program/

    To be eligible, children and spouses of qualifying veteran service members must meet the following requirements:

    • The dependent child must be between the ages 16 and 29 inclusively; there is no age restriction for spouses
    • The qualifying military service member must be a current Virginia citizen or maintained a physical presence in the Commonwealth of Virginia presently and for five consecutive years prior to the date of application submission or must have entered military service as a citizen of Virginia
    • In the case of a deceased qualifying military service member, the surviving spouse can meet the residency requirements contingent upon:
      1. Having been a Virginia citizen or maintained a physical presence in the Commonwealth of Virginia for five consecutive years prior to marrying the military service member or
      2. Presently being a Virginia citizen or maintained a physical presence in the Commonwealth of Virginia and for five consecutive years prior to the date of application submission.
      3. FAQ's http://www.dvs.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014-15-VMSDEP-FAQs_1.pdf

    Starting Ptsd Process

    in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims

    Posted · Edited by Kimmy

    From my husbands experience the psychiatrist only does the meds. Psychologist/therapist does the therapy. My husbands process started with the intake/assessment appointment as well. From there he was assigned a therapist and 10 week PTSD group therapy in addition to individual counseling with the same doctor. So call the same clinic where you had the intake and ask when you can join the next PTSD group. This is all good for your claim because the medical history is being documented along the way.

    You can your file if you have not done so yet. By the time they get to processing your claim, you would have had about a year a medical documentation thru the VA.

    Ptsd C&p Exam Within Va Clinic Where He Is A Patient.

    in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims

    Posted

    C&P Results: Since this exam a few weeks ago, hubby was referred and has seen the psychiatrist and has been prescribed Prozosin and Zoloft. We mentioned these new developments in my statement in support of claim and hubby mentions on his PTSD form. All of the most recent info is in myhealtevet so I hope the claims reviewer reads all of that activity before making the decision. He marked the 30% level but he mentions all of the symptoms and he even mentions the inability to work. I pray that all of this is taken into consideration. Any thoughts?

    1. Diagnostic Summary

    ---------------------

    Does the Veteran have a diagnosis of PTSD that conforms to DSM-5 criteria

    based on today's evaluation?

    [X] Yes [ ] No

    2. Current Diagnoses

    --------------------

    a. Mental Disorder Diagnosis #1: PTSD

    b. Medical diagnoses relevant to the understanding or management of the

    Mental Health Disorder (to include TBI): Please refer to the General

    Medical Examination report for any medical diagnoses or concerns

    3. Differentiation of symptoms

    ------------------------------

    a. Does the Veteran have more than one mental disorder diagnosed?

    [ ] Yes [X] No

    c. Does the Veteran have a diagnosed traumatic brain injury (TBI)?

    [ ] Yes [X] No [ ] Not shown in records reviewed

    4. Occupational and social impairment

    -------------------------------------

    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

    c. If a diagnosis of TBI exists, is it possible to differentiate what

    portion

    of the occupational and social impairment indicated above is caused by

    the

    TBI?

    [ ] Yes [ ] No [X] No diagnosis of TBI

    SECTION II:

    -----------

    Clinical Findings:

    ------------------

    1. Evidence review

    ------------------

    In order to provide an accurate medical opinion, the Veteran's claims

    folder

    must be reviewed.

    a. Medical record review:

    -------------------------

    Was the Veteran's VA e-folder (VBMS or Virtual VA) reviewed?

    [X] Yes [ ] No

    Was the Veteran's VA claims file (hard copy paper C-file) reviewed?

    [ ] Yes [X] No

    If yes, list any records that were reviewed but were not included in the

    Veteran's VA claims file:

    If no, check all records reviewed:

    [X] Military service treatment records

    [X] Military service personnel records

    [X] Military enlistment examination

    [X] Military separation examination

    [ ] Military post-deployment questionnaire

    [X] Department of Defense Form 214 Separation Documents

    [X] Veterans Health Administration medical records (VA treatment

    records)

    [ ] Civilian medical records

    [ ] Interviews with collateral witnesses (family and others who have

    known the Veteran before and after military service)

    [ ] No records were reviewed

    [ ] Other:

    b. Was pertinent information from collateral sources reviewed?

    [ ] Yes [X] No

    2. History

    ----------

    a. Relevant Social/Marital/Family history (pre-military, military, and

    post-military):

    Veteran reported being raised in an intact family with no history of

    abuse/neglect. He completed HS and some college. Veteran is married

    with 2 children.

    b. Relevant Occupational and Educational history (pre-military, military,

    and

    post-military):

    family mental health (pre-military, military, and post-military):

    Veteran has participated in the PTSD Recovery Group at the XXXX

    VAMC. He is currently doing individual therapy at the XXXX VAMC

    with xxxx

    .

    3. Stressors

    ------------

    Describe one or more specific stressor event(s) the Veteran considers

    traumatic (may be pre-military, military, or post-military):

    a. Stressor #1: Veteran reported

    being involved in firefights while deployed

    Does this stressor meet Criterion A (i.e., is it adequate to support

    the diagnosis of PTSD)?

    [X] Yes [ ] No

    Is the stressor related to the Veteran's fear of hostile military

    or

    terrorist activity?

    [X] Yes [ ] No

    Is the stressor related to personal assault, e.g. military sexual

    trauma?

    [ ] Yes [X] No

    b. Stressor #2: Veteran reported seeing fellow soldiers killed as well as

    seeing dead Iraqi soldiers

    Does this stressor meet Criterion A (i.e., is it adequate to support

    the diagnosis of PTSD)?

    [X] Yes [ ] No

    Is the stressor related to the Veteran's fear of hostile military

    or

    terrorist activity?

    [X] Yes [ ] No

    Is the stressor related to personal assault, e.g. military sexual

    trauma?

    [ ] Yes [X] No

    4. PTSD Diagnostic Criteria

    ---------------------------

    Please check criteria used for establishing the current PTSD diagnosis. Do

    NOT mark symptoms below that are clearly not attributable to the Criteria A

    stressor/PTSD. Instead, overlapping symptoms clearly attributable to other

    things should be noted under #7 - Other symptoms. The diagnostic criteria

    for PTSD, referred to as Criteria A-H, are from the Diagnostic and

    Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5).

    Criterion A: Exposure to actual or threatened a) death, b) serious

    injury,

    c) sexual violation, in one or more of the following ways:

    [X] Directly experiencing the traumatic event(s)

    [X] Witnessing, in person, the traumatic event(s) as they occurred to

    others

    Criterion B: Presence of (one or more) of the following intrusion

    symptoms

    associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the

    traumatic event(s) occurred:

    [X] Recurrent distressing dreams in which the content and/or affect of

    the dream are related to the traumatic event(s).

    [X] Marked physiological reactions to internal or external cues that

    symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s).

    Criterion C: Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the

    traumatic

    event(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,

    or

    feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s).

    [X] Avoidance of or efforts to avoid external reminders (people,

    places, conversations, activities, objects, situations) that

    arouse

    distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely

    associated with the traumatic event(s).

    Criterion D: Negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with

    the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the

    traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two (or more)

    of

    the following:

    [X] Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant

    activities.

    [X] Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others.

    [X] Persistent inability to experience positive emotions (e.g.,

    inability to experience happiness, satisfaction, or loving

    feelings.)

    Criterion E: Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity associated with

    the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the

    traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two (or more)

    of

    the following:

    [X] Irritable behavior and angry outbursts (with little or no

    provocation) typically expressed as verbal or physical aggression

    toward people or objects.

    [X] Hypervigilance.

    [X] Exaggerated startle response.

    [X] Problems with concentration.

    [X] Sleep disturbance (e.g., difficulty falling or staying asleep or

    restless sleep).

    Criterion F:

    [X] Duration of the disturbance (Criteria B, C, D, and E) is more than

    1 month.

    Criterion G:

    [X] The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or

    impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of

    functioning.

    Criterion H:

    [X] The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects

    of

    a substance (e.g., medication, alcohol) or another medical

    condition.

    Criterion I: Which stressor(s) contributed to the Veteran's PTSD

    diagnosis?:

    [X] Stressor #1

    [X] Stressor #2

    5. Symptoms

    -----------

    For VA rating purposes, check all symptoms that actively apply to the

    Veteran's diagnoses:

    [X] Depressed mood

    [X] Anxiety

    [X] Suspiciousness

    [X] Chronic sleep impairment

    [X] Mild memory loss, such as forgetting names, directions or recent

    events

    [X] Flattened affect

    [X] Disturbances of motivation and mood

    [X] Difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social

    relationships

    [X] Difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or

    a

    worklike setting

    6. Behavioral Observations

    --------------------------

    Veteran was alert and oriented x4. Veteran's mood was anxious with flat

    affect. Veteran was alert and cooperative, demonstrated good grooming and

    hygiene, and made appropriate eye contact. Speech was of normal rate, rhythm

    and volume. When discussing traumatic events related to his combat tour the

    Veteran became tearful. Veteran denied any current suicidal or homicidal

    ideation, intent, or plan during this evaluation. Veteran denied any history

    of suicide attempts or psychiatric hospitalizations. Veteran denied any

    hallucinations or delusions and has not had any hypo/manic episodes. Veteran

    reported independent management of his ADLs.

    7. Other symptoms

    -----------------

    Does the Veteran have any other symptoms attributable to PTSD (and other

    mental disorders) that are not listed above?

    [ ] Yes [X] No

    8. Competency

    -------------

    Is the Veteran capable of managing his or her financial affairs?

    [X] Yes [ ] No

    9. Remarks, (including any testing results) if any

    --------------------------------------------------

    Veteran's C-file/Vista/VBMS/CPRS (as available) were reviewed as well

    as

    conducting a clinical interview.

    It is felt this Veteran's symptoms of PTSD are related to a fear of

    hostile military or terrorist activity, the claimed stressor is adequate

    for a PTSD diagnosis and his symptoms are related to these stressors.

    This

    is a combat Veteran who deployed.

    Veteran's PTSD is at least as likely as not caused by or a result of his above listed traumatic stressors which occurred while deployed.

    He is not working due to feeling overwhelmed with stimuli and "I'm not able to focus on

    my school work, because then I feel unsafe". He reported irritability,

    increased anger and isolation, as well as poor sleep with nightmares on a consistent basis.

    Ptsd C&p Exam Within Va Clinic Where He Is A Patient.

    in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims

    Posted

    Update: PTSD C&P was this week. The C&P exam was NOT on the mental clinic but in the C&P office at the VA hospital. The examiner was a VA employee who is a combat vet himself. He said that he refused to ask my husband any questions about the stressor event because that is undue stress on my husband and he got that information from his treatment records. He had my husbands treatment records up and said he had read everything in the record for the past 12 months of treatment at the VA. He wanted to know more about my husbands current challenges. The Doc wanted to talk about the isolation, nightmares, panic attacks, unability to work and go to school. My husband not worked in over 3 years and has been in VocRehab but had to drop out of that because of concentration and memory problems. The Doc took lots of notes.

    Then the visit switched and became more like treatment/therapy than the C&P assessment. He talked to me about the things I can do to help my husband. Then he sent a referral in for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for my husband. He also recommended some medications that may he helpful for the nightmares and anxiety and sent in a referral for that. By the time we got home, we got a call for mental health to set up the CBT to start in October. Has anyone every had referrals for additional treatment made during the C&P exam? We didn't know what to make of it. We came prepared to prove my husbands case but it seems that the records spoke for itself.

    He said he was going to get the forms done by COB the day of the visit and get it send back to the region office asap. Now we wait.

    Ptsd C&p Exam Within Va Clinic Where He Is A Patient.

    in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims

    Posted · Edited by Kimmy

    My husband got a call yesterday from a VA person to review the items in his claim. She was in the process of ordering his C&P exams. She told him that the PTSD exam would be in the same clinic at the VA where he currently goes for treatment. Background: He was formally diagnosed in the past year and has attended the 10 week PTSD group sessions, the 6 week Anger Management sessions and is now in one on one counseling with his doctor who he is pretty comfortable with. He was in college thru VocRehab as a result of service connected bilateral knee injuries. However, he has had to drop out because problems with focus & memory, panic attacks and other anxiety issues all related to PTSD. For the other exams she said he would get the QTC info thru the mail. He got so worked up after this that he had a terrible panic attack last night. He said his mind was racing just thinking that all of a sudden his claim was moving. Quick change is hard for him.

    We are thinking that is a good thing that he is going to his same clinic (less stress for him) since they have plenty of documentation on him. Any thoughts?

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Guidelines and Terms of Use

  I accept