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Mountain Vet
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See this site for reference to what I am talking about. >> https://www.myhealthevet.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/resources/jsp/help.jsp?helpDirectRequest=help_Notes-learnmore.html
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I went seen my VA MH Phyistrisrt todday, She talk to me for 30 minutes at the most and decided to keep my meds the same and said I'll see you back on Oct 30th,
to see how I am doing, I mention to her today I was not doing any better and I just need to keep seeing the VATherapist I said alright.
the she ask me if there were any more questions..I said yes mam I decided to file a claim on my PTDS ....will you help me out with it by giving your expert opinion as to why I have it and how bad my systoms are she said well I don't do the claims you need to talk with DAV about the claims I said you mean you can't write me a letter giving your professional opinion about it...she said no that' not her Dept...then she looked on the computer and said I don't show to have Dx for PTSD, I said well I thought you diagnosed me its in my progress notes that you did, she said she is only seeing I been diagnosed with MD Major Depression and unspecific depressive disorder no PTSD Diagnose's?
I said well some one did I tell you what I can go home tonight and download the files from ebenefits in my healthyvet and print out the PDF progress notes that someone from this hospital in MH Dept Diagnosed me with PTSD....I said matter of fact I ask the thereapist a month ago in one of our sessions about my Dagnoses for PTSD he looked on the computer and said yes you you have been Diagnosed with PTSD AND thats basically why your seeing me, I told the psychiatrist that she was the one who set up the therapist appointments and got me started in the session but the therapist makes the appointments now.
Anyway I don't know what to do now if she won't help me with this PTSD Claim... when I went to check out and sign a travel pay boucher she came out there and pulled me to the side and said Mr Buck I went back and check for more information and I see that Dr Baskin PHD Did in fact Diagnose you with PTSD and I'll put it in the computer he must have forgot...which I said ok thank you she said your welcome , then I walked out...this Psychiatrist is Pakistan and has a accent that's hard to understand she talks low anyway kinda a whisper sound to me...anyway I'll recheck these progress notes Sat on ebenfits. she what she said?
She had ask me a few months ago f I was going to file a claim for this PTSD and today she said it don't show on the computer you have a PTSD Diagnoses..
So now I'm up a creek without that old paddle.
Anyone have any suggestions? I can't afford to go see a private psychiatrist I was more or less counting on the VA Doc's to help me.
Agghhhh it ain't one thing its another! eh!
.......................Buck
Buck.. they can't change the progress notes in healthy vet because it is an official government record .. they can only post an addendum to them.. go back and look thru the file again - then print the whjole series and hang onto it. You're gonna be ok bro.
~MV
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Went to Preparation For Notification this morning.. we'll see.
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Mine claim is in one notch ahead of yours, the same place as yours "Pending Decision Approval", (for the same issue <PTSD> . Mine has sat there for three days now. Mine was in 'Preparation for Decision' phase for one day. Research I have done shows it can sail to Prep for notification and then Notification real fast..... or you can wait. Stay tuff.. hang in there.. it's almost over. For what it's worth I also think you will come in at 30-50%. It's all good brother/sister.. Thanks for your service!
~MV
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Update.. just for the record here. Yesterday my claim status (on eBenefits) went to "Pending Decision Approval" .. I figure this is a good thing - at least the process is working. Next step must be some kind of 'notification' letting me know what they decided on and approved? We'll see. I will letcha know.
~MV
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It all sounds very positive to me. Good luck on the C & P. We have C & P PTSD forms here somewhere under a search to show you what to expect.
ok.. I got the result of my C&P exam today. I sent in a FOI request via fax and they fax'd me the report which was completed and submitted to the VA on August 30th. This is a ten day turn around for the report and a 12 day turn around from examination to my hands.
All elements of disabling PTSD are endorsed by the examining doctor including a good nexus statement. The doctor endorses and checks the box which seem to equate to the 30% verbiage. Not sure what the rater will do. My guess is he would be hard pressed to rate me less than 30%.. I doubt he'll go higher.
All in all it has been real quick and pretty painless for me.
Next stop..? Rating?
MV
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It all sounds very positive to me. Good luck on the C & P. We have C & P PTSD forms here somewhere under a search to show you what to expect.
Thanks Berta.. your guidance was much appreciated.
Continuing with this update I went to my C&P yesterday morning.. I dressed normally, was clean and shaved like I always am. I think it went well and I felt comfortable with the VA contract doctor who was supportive and thorough. He had clearly read my C file, knew my personal and military history, asked detailed questions which were focused on my impairments both socially and professionally. I answered his questions honestly and to the point. I did some research on him and found that he has over 20 years experience working with military and law enforcement folks suffering from PTSD and was very "pro-vet". He is a straight talker and even commented that it was "refreshing" to not have a patient try to "bullshit" him. He also commented that I was "clearly significantly impaired" and "highly motivated to get help".
I don't know what his report will say or how this will turn out ultimately but am comfortable that I got a fair shake. I will see about getting a copy of his report and will follow up with the results here when that happens.
MV
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Thank you all for your advice, guidance and suggestions.
Bringing this thread up to date I have been in continual weekely therapy (CBT and CPT) since I filed the fully developed claim for benefits in April of this year. Everything (yes, "everything") has been done by the VA. I have a VA diagnosis of PTSD from VA doctors, a fully developed claim (with help from my VSO) and have made every VA appointment and taken every VA pill I have been prescribed.
Yesterday I got call from the VA with a C&P appointment for this coming Thursday, August 20. The C&P will be conducted by a VA contract doctor in Fresno. I will be there with a bucket of truth and my C file in hand in case he needs more info.
So from application (April 4, 2015) to C&P exam appointment (August 20, 2015) the process has taken just over four months.. even if the VA takes another four months to grant a rating my entire claim process will be only 8 months... Unusual?
Maybe they are gonna toss me under the bus..? For some reason I doubt it - this seems to be going pretty good so far - we'll see.
MV
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The real question is do you want to start a PTSD claim, and if it's awarded, deal with the possible ramifications.
Fiduciary appointment by the VA
Brady Law gun ownership problem.
Possible employment problems in certain professions.
Is this your guidance seriously..?
What I want is to get better.. plan and simple. The rest of your concerns, while appreciated if your not being facetious, are of no consequence to me. No one is going to assume fiduciary responsibilty for me (I'm not that far gone), I don't care about the gun thing (Brady Law et al) and I am getting close to social security age in a federal appointment so I'm not concerned about employment problems.
I have to say that this is the first time I think I've seen a subject matter expert try to disuade a fellow veteran from getting help.. interesting perspective.
Thanx,
MV
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So.. I am new to posting here but a long time reader of this site - awesome work moderators and subject matter experts .. your efforts are much appreciated.
I had a routine VA medical appointment for a general health check up in early April of this year and during that exam the doctor and I got to talking about my prior service. I mentioned to him a few things (I don't talk about my military history much with anyone) about my middle east service including intrusive dreams for years about a bomb attacks including a bomb (IED-timer) that destroyed my vehicle (unoccupied) and came pretty close to taking me out. He probed further and after answering his questions openly and honestly he referred me to the VA mental health team for evaluation.
Now I have a VA medical diagnosis of PTSD secondary to my military service and a diagnosis of depressive disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder on top of that. I am prescribed anti depressants from the VA and am taking them. I am participating in group and individual therapy with a goal of diminishing my symptoms which quite honestly I have lived with seemingly forever. The VA psycologist and pychiatrist have both documented the diagnosis and nexus to my military service in my VA medical records and file. Both encouraged me to go see my VSO. I feel a bit like a dumb ass for living with these syptoms for many years and not considering my options. It surprises me that the doctors did all of this without any encouragement from me - Frankly I wasn't even looking for an increase in my disability (20%) benefits.
I gathered up some buddy letters from veterans who were there and had personal knowlege and put together a binder of news articles and related military service records along with the medical stuff I have so far. I consulted with my VSO who copied my entire binder and immediately filed a claim (fast track).
Some of the issues I have suffered with for many years include; sleep deprivation (nightmares, night sweats, insomnia); social isolation (few trusted friends, estrangement from family, avoidance of middle eastern people; hyper vigilance (chair/back against the wall always, forever alert, suspicious of damn near everything and everyone); little to no outside activities increasing over the years; anger outbursts,
agitation and impatience among others.
I am a work-a-holic often burying myself in my work and was a high achiever until my memory started to fail (mostly short term - forgetting names, dates, appointments etc).
Having given that background does anyone think I can get rated for the issues I didn't ask for to begin with? Any other similar experiences having the VA push a PTSD diagnosis on a patient during a routine exam? Any help is much appreciated.
MV
Va Clinic Diagnoses Ptsd On It's Own
in PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Claims
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Final update: Went to "Notification Sent" this afternoon. VA called me to verify mailing address and marital status. AB8 letter and bEnefits already show new rating of PTSD rated at 50%. Brings my total combined to 60% compensable. (50% +20%= 60% <VA math>) This FDC process was fast and fair. The VA worked hard and well for me. I have no complaints.
Best,
~MV