Johnny K.

October 14, 2009

That is definitely worth checking into. Thanks, ctumm.

October 13, 2009

Thanks,Commander Bob, I have not told the Psych yet, but I have an appointment next week and I see my Vet Center Counselor tomorrow.

I have been taking Prazosin (a blood pressure regulator) for 2 years to combat the nightmares I used to have, which were filled with images from traumatic stressors, and it worked very well to help me sleep without bad dreams. But since starting the higher dose of Mirtazipine the "new" nightmares are downright dangerous. I thrash around pretty bad.

October 13, 2009

I have been in treatment for Service Connected PTSD for years with the VA. Lately, I have been experiencing a really scary sleep disorder. I awaken 1-3 times nightly beginning about two hours after going to sleep with visions of death related experiences. My death.

It has been in the form of people and sometimes huge animals, I can feel it coming in my sleep but I cannot escape. I am usually screaming when my wife awakens me. Last night I had three episodes, the last just before I got up. I thrashed around so forcefully that I am afraid for my wife. The episodes are becoming more frequent both in how many times per night and times per week. When I searched sleep disorders I found this one, which sounds much like what I am experiencing and has been related also to PTSD. I take Mirtazipine and Alprazolam along with a declining dose (weening off of) duloxetine.

Have you of you ever heard of this? REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

October 4, 2007

Johnny,i see you was given a 0% service connection for ptsd and i also see at one time your gaf was 55.This is what i would do,I would file a nod and ask for a reconsideration of my claim.You already have the service connection,you just have to show that it have worsen to get a higher rating,but i would make sure i submitted evidence where i was given a gaf of 55 before, and if you have anymore evidence that you have been seeing, a psychiatrist of a clinic psychologist i would submitt with my nod.All the medical evidence that was not submitted,you need to submit because on a reconsideration va review the evidence again that was used to rate you 0%,but will review the new evidence.When filing a nod and asking for a increase in rating, va made just considerate the date that the the nod was filed,But when asking for reconsideration,your claim will be considerate from the original date it was filed.
Mobie

Thanks Mobie,

That sounds like great advice, and I'll run it by my VSO.

Doc

October 4, 2007

JohnnyK,

I think your worst battle is over: It took you two years just to get SC but you did...and even 0% is good, too. Because PTSD usually only gets WORSE, not better...so NOW it's "just" a matter of getting your rating raised (as you know). But the SC was the hard part.

I believe the VA gives more weight to an MD or DO (psychiatrist's) medical opinion rather than to a Ph.D.'s (but these ALSO will help as supporting evidence to the main IMO)...so look for an MD/DO and one who (hopefully) specializes in dealing with combat vets/PTSD issues...a specialist in the field (PTSD) would have the most weight over a "general practice" shrink but they are RARE...but still, get what is available. Try to find a shrink who AT LEAST has dealt with vets before even if it's not his/her speciality.

And if you DO get an outside medical opinion, be sure to print-out and take with you -- for his/her reading pleasure and enlightenment, and in order to write an IMO in VA-Speak that will be acceptable -- the appropriate PTSD C&P Exam guideline. Preferably, get the guideline to the doctor BEFORE seeing you so the doctor has time to read through it so he/she can ask the appropriate "VA format" questions, etc....be sure the doctor understands the VA is pretty demanding in what it wants to be sure the guideline is covered. And don't forget that the all-important "rationale" for his/her opinion must be indluded.

Good luck,

-- John D.

Thanks Cloudy,

I got the DRO letter in the mail today, explaining the decision.

Now it's back to work on the appeal. My VSO had me sign a form to ammend my claim to include MDD. You have all been such a huge help I cannot put it into words.

Doc

October 3, 2007

the numbers game is always a factor. but it normally works in favor of a veteran. that is to say, a dro may go a little higher than he really wants to if he thinks it will resolve the claim. that is not to say that one can negotiate a deal with the dro (as in, give me this and i will withdraw my claim). they are specifically prohibited from doing so. but a vet can submit a statement describing what evaluation he thinks is justified. if he does so, and the dro gives it to him, it is a complete grant. so it is a back-door way of letting the dro know that you will go away if you get a certain percentage. it's like a hanging curveball for the dro.

but in this case, the vet got sc and 0 percent. this interests me because all you need for a 10 percent evaluation is a diagnosis and medication. but the dro didn't go there. he was making a statement. i sure would love to know more about this case.

Entropent,

I will keeep you posted.

Doc

October 3, 2007

Doc John, curious and excited for you about your plans. For instance, did you get service connected for PTSD? I have MDD SC but need to have MST diagnosis keyed in. Sounds like you plan to -add- to your current claim or submit a new claim, " Major Depressive Disorder, which the C&P psych conceded as service connected."
Am having a familiar discussion in my seperate but similar topic of "combining" or "adding" to a rating. I wonder if others here at Hadit have "added" to a mental health rating and how it works or could work. Take it easy,we are here in Hadit'sville! cg

Dear CG,

Yes B) I got service connected for PTSD at 0%. But that is only the new beginning. I also have MDD , conceded as "more likely than not SC" by the C&P shrink. Now I need to have that diagnosis included in my claim.

Just one little step at a time....I'll get there B)

Doc

October 3, 2007

My late husband was a US Marine and served in Viet nam from 1967-1969. He was a machine gunner and stationed in I Corp among other areas. In 2004 he was diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer. No family history, no Barretts. On May 30, 2006 (the day before our 37th wedding anniversary) he died from this horrible cancer. He was only 57 years old. I am interested in knowing if there are any vets on this site who have esophageal cancer.

My husband was denied by the VA for compensation. I filed for DIC (had 7 doctor letters all stating in their opinion..) but the VA still denied my claim. I am now appealing.

I have located through the internet approx. 15 widows who have all lost their Vietnam vet husbands to EC. We have all spent many hours researching the web and have located approx. 10 VA claims for EC that have been approved...hundreds that have not.

IF YOU OR YOUR LOVED ON HAS SUFFERED FROM ESOPAHGEAL CANCER PLEASE REPLY!!

Thanks for a wonderful site!
Susan

Hello Susan,

Thank you for your sacrifices. My sympathies to you and your family. Your husband is a hero to our country.

I am an old USMC / Navy Hospital Corpsman. I am in remission with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. I had surgery, radiation and chemo beginning in September of 2000-February of 2001. My oncologists told me that the cause (etiology) of my cancer was unknown but was NOT caused by smoking, but was certainly exacerbated by "stress". The cancer was not esophogeal but was in the buccal mucosa inside my cheek.

I was a grunt platoon corpsman with the Marines from 1973-1992, including my Reserve duty and a recall during the first Gulf War.

I am now a disabled vet with a VA disability rating of 0% for PTSD and major depressive disorder. I would like to get service connection for the cancer, but I do not know how to make that happen. My brother Jim died of lung cancer last year at age 59. He received his first disability check the week before he died.

He, too, was a Hospital Corpsman on the Hospital Ship USS Repose off the coast of Vietnam in 1967-1969.

My VSO says the VA holds lung cancer to be a "presumptive" service connected disability.

My best to you on your quest,

John

October 1, 2007

Thanks Entropent,

I filed for PTSD in 2000, got denied and failed to appeal because of cancer surgery, and chemo/radiation.

I filed a new claim for PTSD IN 2005, and now, since this DRO decision, I am adding Major Depressive Disorder, which the C&P psych conceded as service connected.

I just keep punching the clock and filing appeals.

They can play the numbers game all they want- I will not give up until I get what they owe me. Or die.

Doc John

October 1, 2007

If I were you I would get an opinion from a private psychiatrist-
There is a specific criteria they should follow- see my topic "Getting an Independent Medical Opinion under the search feature.
They should also have the VA award letter and narrative that holds the Reasons and Bases for the low rating.And copies of any PTSD C & P exam results you have (they can be requested from the VAMC)

Any private doc has to make a strong nexus statement- such as "In my professional opinion the veteran's current disability is more than likely due to the veteran's exposure to......(stressful events, etc)in service."

Also he/she could throw in "there is no other known etiology but for the inservice (stressors ,events etc")to have caused this disability to the veteran.

A Psychiatrist would possibly give you the full gamit of psychological testing that would help them shape their opinion.

(Unless the VA did already?)

The VA gave the reasons for the "0" rating and this is what a good IMO has to combat with full medical rationale.

Hi Berta,

I saw a Fee For Service psychiatrist for my C&P exam. It was at 11:30 A.M. and he must have been hungry. He did a very brief and incomplete exam, not even mentioning hyper-vigilance, insomnia, etc.

When he asked his first question it was about when I was first seen for my symptoms, and I said 1981. Then he asked what the psych's initial diagnosis was and I said

" dysthymia (major depression)" and before I could say "but, he later changed his diagnosis to PTSD", the quack had moved on to the next question. Because of this poor exam (which did concede SC major depression but failed to service connect me for PTSD, I asked to see the DRO.

After she read all of my IMO opinions, she put me at 0% for PTSD and now I am adding the Major Depressive disorder and TMJ to my ammended claim.

The VSO sent me the DRO's transcript, but I have not received the actual opinion letter yet. The DRO meeting was only on Sept 12, so it should come soon.

Oh, and now I have found out the VARO at Bay Pines has hired the quack (Dr. Mack) as

a staff psychiatrist- no longer fee for service. My Vet Center counselor says that this guy has not diagnosed PTSD in any claimants and five of her clients have documented PTSD diagnoses from IMO's which have been ignored by him. Maybe that is how he got the staff position? B)

Thanks Doc Johnny K.

September 26, 2007

Johnny, as far as VA docs go, I have a shrink that I didn't think much of either, but he writes excellent notes from the clinic vists. I at one time wanted to switch from him to the PTSD team, after being messed up by the PTSD team on the admissionto the inpatient program (they rejected me on the basis I was to sick to be in the hospital)so I asked the shrink if he would continue to see me (my wife suggested I keep him, due to his notes. In the long run it was one if NOT the most impiortant decision I ever made, my 100% came from his notes and his letters supporting my claim for the 100%. Sometime the people you expect to help you the least help you the most

Hey Testvet,

Here is what Berta said on the topic earlier, I really appreciate her, too:

date='Jul 29 2007,

I am astonished that the VA has not awarded you yet with the evidence you mentioned.

Do they have all of that evidence?

Did they ever refer to it yet in any Statement of the Case?

Have they attempted to rebutt those IMos with any VAola quackola medical opinions?

I would certainly bring all of the above opinions to the DRO hearing and make sure they are fully considered-

and are made part of the record----

My Rep at a DRO hearing- claimed he highlighted my IMOs -but the DRO record shows this never happened and that VA did not even have any IMos from me.

I hope the AL will sure show up for the hearing.

When the VA has enough medical evidence to make an award -they should award-

they should NOT do any doctor shopping to try to find a VA opinion against your claim.

When MY rep called me before the DRO conference (it wasnt really a hearing)

he said he was sure he would walk in with my IMos and walk out with an award.

I dont know what he walked in with- my IMOs disappeared from that point for over 2 years-in spite of being re-sent by me many times-and he never gave them to the DRO.

I will look for the regs and post them here-

that show that VA -with enough medical information to award (regardless of where it comes from-claimant or VA )is supposed to award.

You have a preponderance of evidence -

actually it is really too late for VA to doc shop-

I sure hope the AL knows the regs in and out on this one.

Berta

I saw the VA psychiatrist yesterday for my quarterly eval. He was not even aware of my claim, although I assumed he was. You know what they say about "assume".

I was not aware that the claims people do not talk to the medical people so yesterday I had him enter information about my claim into my VA medical record. He really only seems interested in controling my meds- not in counseling or therapy.

I have decided to stay with him and also get an IMO letter stating my employability and other conditions of my disability. But I guess I need a Psychiatrist who specializes in PTSD, what do you all think?

The DRO 's transcript did not mention that I have to be on meds all the time so I will get a statement from the doc to that effect.

John D. (cloudcroft who is very sharp, too) states that the VA psych's opinions are given more weight than a civilian doctor's. But I have two VA psychiatrists so far: one VA psychiatrist for my C&P (who said I have SC major depression but not PTSD) and another on a regular basis for treatment. Plus I have four psychologist opinions ( two from VA and two civilian) stating I have service connected PTSD already recorded in my C-file and the VA medical records.

I will not give up even though the battle just makes my symptoms worse.

Thanks for the encouragement! Got to go .

Doc Johnny K.

September 25, 2007

Carlie,

I would just like to say amen to your assesment of St.Pete RO. The transcripts of my recent DRO meeting were filled with inacuracies.

The Vet Ctr on 1st AVE North is very reliable. And they keep good records. And always get that date stamp!

Johnny K.

September 25, 2007

Corpsman-you mentioned 3rd Marine Div. Vietnam-they became 1st Mar Div under Zumwalt-in 65- or 1966-after Rolling Thunder and Op Starlight-

I am astonished that the VA has not awarded you yet with the evidence you mentioned.

Do they have all of that evidence?

Did they ever refer to it yet in any Statement of the Case?

Have they attempted to rebutt those IMos with any VAola quackola medical opinions?

I would certainly bring all of the above opinions to the DRO hearing and make sure they are fully considered-
and are made part of the record----
My Rep at a DRO hearing- claimed he highlighted my IMOs -but the DRO record shows this never happened and that VA did not even have any IMos from me.

I hope the AL will sure show up for the hearing.

When the VA has enough medical evidence to make an award -they should award-

they should NOT do any doctor shopping to try to find a VA opinion against your claim.

When MY rep called me before the DRO conference (it wasnt really a hearing)
he said he was sure he would walk in with my IMos and walk out with an award.

I dont know what he walked in with- my IMOs disappeared from that point for over 2 years-in spite of being re-sent by me many times-and he never gave them to the DRO.

I will look for the regs and post them here-
that show that VA -with enough medical information to award (regardless of where it comes from-claimant or VA )is supposed to award.

You have a preponderance of evidence -
actually it is really too late for VA to doc shop-

I sure hope the AL knows the regs in and out on this one.

Berta

Berta you were so right in this message. We were organized and had copies of health and military records ready to display to the DRO. The American Legion rep was invaluable... and taking my wife along gave her a chance to correct me, remind me and generally share how my illness manifests in our daily life. See my new thread " Zero% after DRO" in the VA Claims Reserarch Veterans Affairs Claims and Benefits Research forum. My American Legion rep has advised me to get an IMO to write up my disabilities so we can appeal to get a higher rating in the future.

THANK YOU AS ALWAYS. THIS WEEKEND MY WIFE AND I WERE AT A WEDDING RECEPTION SEATED WITH THE WIFE OF AN AIR FORCE JET PILOT WHO IS MIA ALONG HWY 1 VIETNAM SINCE 1969. THIS LADY REMINDED ME OF YOU--HER MISSION IS TO HELP OTHERS THE YOUng MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR US NOW.

With deep respect,

(Doc) Johnny K

September 25, 2007

Doc!

Sorry if you got the impression that I had been a Corpsman, but I wasn't. I was platoon sergeant for the 1st PLT, Echo 2/4 "The Magnificent Bastards". I was a SSgt USMC, not Navy. You may recall this as I filed a claim over chloracne that was denied. At that time a whole bunch of us were clawing our arms and shoulders to pieces and they said it was too much chlorine in the water in OK. We had to seep with white gloves to keep from gashing ourselves from the itching, could not use soap at all. I think for a month or so we had to wash with mineral oil (no water at all) and take I think it was Atrax tabs. They were small little square pills and kind of blackish looking.

I was treated several times and my SMR showed the sickbay records diagnosing chloracne and severe rash over entire body as did the other Marines.

Hey I consider myself a marine anyway after being a "grunt corpsman" for 16 years.Hell, I still fold my scivvies.

Chloracne is nasty stuff. I saw some of it way back in about '72, caused by chemical burns in a torpedo shop in Charleston. Haven't heard much about it since then but my Marines were in a hurt locker for about ten days until we got the chems all washed out and the blisters cleared up. Did you have much scarring from the exposure?

Doc John

September 25, 2007

Hi Cowgirl,

My father belonged to the DAV, but when I signed my power of atty at Florida Veterans Affairs, I got plugged in with American Legion.

I have been married twice, most recently for fourteen years our 15th anniversary is coming up next month. This site is an unbelieveable blessing and, after more than two years of trying to prove service connection for my PTSD, Temporomandibular Joint disorder, and a back injury that was denied and not appealed, I finally found the siteseveral months ago. I am a Vietnam and Desert Storm veteran and worked as a Hospital Corpsman from 1973-1992 mostly with the Marine Corps as a Field Medical Service Technician as a platoon corpsman , and, as an EMT/Paramedic at Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital emergency services, and in a refugee camp in 1975. These are where all of my documented stressors occurred, along with caring for the sick and wounded returning to Long Beach Naval Hospital during 1972.

Last week a DRO sent me a transcript of our meeting and changed me from a complete denial status of my service connection claim to zero %. I have been treated by private mental health professionals on an outpatient basis since 1981, and by VA doctors since 2005. The diagnoses have always included anxiety/panic disorder, major depression, etc. GAF 55.

My American Legion Rep is happy and says that, now that I have recieved service connection status at zero %, we can appeal again for a higher percentage of disability.

I currently work four hours a day, five days a week in a job which allows me to have minimal contact with the public, and that helps me avoid many of my stressors. I truly cannot handle more than 20 hours a week.

I drive myself to and from work, and drive at work and, because I am on medication continuously I have very few road rage incidents. I have been on medication for many years for my symptoms and I recieve them from a VA psychiatrist.

The transcript from the DRO had several mistakes in it, and I would like to correct them. How do I do that?

Also, in order to get my rating increased do I need to get a statement of employability? And should I go to a civilian psychologist, or psychiatrist-- or the VA psychiatrist (who I do not completely trust). Who's opinion would carry the most weight with the people who make ratings decisions?

One of the great Hadit community members provided me with a list describing what each percentage increment for PTSD requires, and I believe I fall somewhere around 30-50 %.

Thanks for your caring,

Doc John

September 24, 2007

True. But remember, shrinks first and foremost are medical doctors rather than academics, and shrinks go through a LONG period of medical training (internship/residency), way more in time and type of training than a Ph.D. does.

I would use Ph.D. opinions is a supporting role to my main MD/DO IMO(s). So the main goal would be seeking out an MD/DO for at least ONE IMO, if not more than one....unless I couldn't get an IMO that is FAVORABLE to my claim then I would think I just didn't have a case of enough merit to continue with it.

-- John D.

Dear Cloudcroft,

I think you are right about the M.D./D.O. opinion being necessary. In my C-File I have three opinions from psychologists and one from a VA Psych,M.D. all stating I have PTSD and major depression with panic/anxiety which began during my first tour of active duty at the end of the Vietnam war.

When I finished with the DRO she looked at me and my wife and said "good job".

And then came the transcript, and my Rep telling me zero percent. I am not angry but I am determined to get the rating that is correct for my SC.

Thanks for the good advice,

Doc John

September 24, 2007

I know a few psychiatrists and psychologists in the Tampa Bay area. They helped out. I think I would see a psychiatrist because the VA gives them more regard for some reason.

Thanks, John,

Do they specialize in PTSD?

Send me some names by email.

Doc John

September 24, 2007

Hi Berta,

So, I should go with a psychiatrist instead of a psychologist?

The psychiatrist at the VA only manages my meds. Will a private psychologist do a full work up?

The stress treatment group that I meet with has now been canceled 5 times in a row, and the head of the mental health department won't return my calls to complain. (Bay Pines in Florida)

Thanks for your input.

Doc John

September 24, 2007

Dear Tbird,

This site is an unbelieveable blessing and, after more than two years of trying to prove service connection for my PTSD, I finally found the site a couple of months ago, after my Legion Rep told me about it.

I have been married twice, most recently for fourteen years. I am a Vietnam and Desert Storm non-combat veteran and worked as a Hospital Corpsman from 1973-1992 mostly with the Marine Corps as a Field Medical Service Technician as a platoon corpsman , and as an EMT/Paramedic at Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital emergency services, and in the refugee camp in 1975 where all of my documented stressors occurred, along with caring for the sick and wounded returning to Long Beach Naval Hospital during 1972.

Last week a DRO sent me a transcript of our meeting and changed me from a complete denial status of my service connection claim to zero %. I have been treated by private mental health professionals on an outpatient basis since 1981, and by VA doctors since 2005. The diagnoses have always included anxiety/panic disorder, major depression, etc. GAF 55.

My American Legion Rep is happy and says that, now that I have recieved service connection status, we can appeal again for a higher percentage of disability.

I currently work four hours a day, five days a week in a job which allows me to have minimal contact with the public, and that helps me avoid many of my stressors.

I drive to and from work, and drive at work and, because I am on medication continuously I have few road rage incidents. I have been on medication for many years for my symptoms and I recieve them from a VA psychiatrist.

The transcript from the DRO had several mistakes in it, and I would like to correct them. How do I do that?

Also, in order to get my rating increased do I need to get a statement of employability? And should I go to a civilian psychologist, or psychiatrist-- or the VA psychiatrist (who I do not completely trust). Who's opinion would carry the most weight with the people who make ratings decisions?

One of the great Hadit community members provided me with a list describing what each percentage increment for PTSD requires, and I believe I fall somewhere around 30-50 %.

Thanks for your great heart and the help of the whole Hadit community.

Doc John

September 21, 2007

At least the DRO has conceded service connection even though at zero.

Now back to the shrinks for more supporting evidence and then step 8 an appeal I guess. Is there no end to the journey?

September 21, 2007

There are some lawsuits around too that could provide some info you need -just thinking-
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/07/23/veter...t.ap/index.html

This is the suit by Iraq vets as to the VA delays etc.

Then again the gov itself has documented all of the problems in the claims system today anyhow-

IG report (2005), BVA Chairman's report Jan 2007 for FY 2006, and Knight Ridder News.

I havent accessed the survey link yet-

but have asked Cong Filner to amend one VA reg and feel that reform of the VA has to start with amending the regs that they are to abide by but don't-in a way that puts the onus onto the ROs as well as vet reps themselves to make sure a claim has been legally adjudicated.

Also I dont see the need for a fund to pay lawyers-under the new lawyer for vets regs- they get paid out of any retro.It is a contingency type of representation.
The VA pays them.I think it is 20%.

I think veterans need an IMO fund- funded by vet rep salaries they can save by firing lousy reps and putting their salaries into an interest bearing account.

Then again who could decide who gets the benefit of the IMO fund and who doesn't.

The best scenario of all would be in my opinion- to get my amendment passed on the VCAA- and that will prevent a lot of needless denials and remands- and then to ask for an amendent (next on my list to do) to make the vet reps take the same test that the lawyers have to-in order to rep vets under the new attorney for vet regs.

And then to get a new Secretary with goonyats who will take command presense and action against VAROs who fail to comply with basic VA 101.

I think the new lawyer for vets regs should be amended too-
I already griped to VACO DC about them.
They emailed me I would receive a response- that was months ago-

The new regs prevent and discriminate against thousands and thousands of vets and widows whose NODs were filed prior to June 21, 2007.

These claimants were the most needy of direct legal expertise in handling their claims issues yet have been denied this new reg.

The proposed reg-and I griped about this in particular-was available for public comment at the Fed Regis web site-
I didnt comment on it because I thought it was fine-
the regulation however-unlike the one they proposed-contained the condition of applying only to claimants whose NODs filed AFTER June 21, 2007-
nothing in the proposed reg said that!

This is a disparity that should be amended-
it would not only give lawyers a lot more claims to reap benefit of legal fees on- it would allow every claimant the same rights as only those with NODs filed after June 21, 2007 -have now.

I just got a 3 page letter from Senator Clinton yesterday. I actually forget what it was I had griped about to her about.
She said she had given great attention to the statements I had made about the claims process.
Good- now I will ask her to do something about my letter when I dig it out.

I agree with Pete that it is very hard to unite veterans for any specific cause.I have been reading about the disgraceful way veterans were herded out of the camps in Washington when they asked for their war bonuses in the 1930s.

Congress had promised Adjusted Compensation Certificates to these veterans and they reniged.
almost 17,000 veterans camped out at the Capitol in protest- only to be driven off by the US Army under the command of General Mac Arthur.

Since then numerous veterans groups have attempted to organize veterans-
the internet has made it by far easier for vets to unite and to complain to their Congressmen/women and Senators....all are reachable by a few clicks away at the VA web site-

Even the Task Force issued an invitation to all veterans and families of vets to contact them----
thousands did but many thousands did not.

PS I just clicked on the survey link- and it is geared solely to War vets-
I am a civilian so I didnt access the whole thing.

[font=Franklin Gothic Medium]Dear Berta,

Your advice to me about prepping for the DRO was outstanding. After a one hour tape recorded meeting we were told we "did a good job" at the hearing. After reading the quack psychiatrist's report contradicting five other psych professionals, the DRO conceded my service related PTSD as a Paramedic and for my role in attending to burned, amputated, crushed, and otherwise mauled, mangled returning troops from SE Asia in 1972.

She was good enough to leave the "door open" now to pursue the claim based on two new factors: I am now SERVICE CONNECTED for PTSD; I am now at least rated, even though its only 0%- it is a starting point. Thanks to you and Pete and all the othes who continue to help. I will keep you posted!

Thanks so much,

September 21, 2007

9440 Chronic adjustment disorder

General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders:

Total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms as: gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name 100

Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting); inability to establish and maintain effective relationships 70

Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment of short- and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learned material, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; impaired abstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships 50

Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, recent events) 30

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 continuous medication 10

A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication 0

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

Your evaluation needs to meet the criteria listed in one of the above categories (or at least mostly so) in order to reach that level of disability.

Thanks Jay,

That was quick research! I will look it up in context. Is it listed in the VA mental disorder descriptions?

Doc Johnny K.

September 20, 2007

PTSD is very subjective and GAFs are typically only used AGAINST you and not for you....you have to focus on the supporting evidence and the criteria listed in the regs for each rating percentage.

Dear Jay,

Just where in the regulations can I find that kind of info. Right now I am baffled by the b.s.

But, at least, the DRO told my wife and I we "did a good job" at end of the hearing.

Thanks,

Doc Johny K.

September 20, 2007

THIS IS GREAT NEWS!!!!!!

Relax a little now if you can-----

sometimes it seems like the battle is still pending even after the award letter comes......
hard to put down the weapons- this is fantastic news!

Hey Berta,

What can I do with the 0% rating I got for my PTSD from the DRO today (my American Legion rep gave me the latest verdict by phone today) I have a GAF of 55.

Thanks!,

Johnny K.

September 20, 2007

Freddie,

I just got my service connected PTSD rated at 0% by a Decision Review Officer and I have a GAF of 55.

I am wondering where the rating percentage comes from. I read the hadit.com faq's but must have missed 0% somewhere.

Thanks,I need an answer, too.

Doc Johnny K.

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