Ask Your VA Claims Questions | Read Current Posts
Read Disability Claims Articles
Search | View All Forums | Donate | Blogs | New Users | Rules
Braincloud
-
Posts
6 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
VA Disability and Benefits Information
VA Benefits News
Store
Posts posted by Braincloud
-
-
I was awarded 70% for PTSD and have the option to apply for IU. I was wondering if I would start getting pay for my 70% along with retro or will they wait for me to submit my IU form? I normally wouldn't mind the wait, but I am homeless and my claim went from prep for notification back to gathering of evidence. Thanks
-
-
Thanks everyone for or your advice, but what does "This condition is more likely than not (greater than 50%
probability) related to military service.
Rationale: Traumatic stressors resulting in PTSD occured while
active duty and inthe line of duty." -
This is my initial claim, so will requesting my c-file actually help. I am also using e-benefits for my completion date and info, but spoke with someone on the benefits who stated that my claim was complete. My mental DBQ is below.
Diagnostic Summary
---------------------
Does the Veteran have a diagnosis of PTSD that conforms to DSM-5 criteria
based on today's evaluation?
[X] Yes [ ] No
ICD code: 309.81
2. Current Diagnoses
--------------------
a. Mental Disorder Diagnosis #1: PTSD
ICD code: 309.81
Comments, if any:
This condition is more likely than not (greater than 50%
probability) related to military service.
Rationale: Traumatic stressors resulting in PTSD occured while
active duty and i the line of duty.
Mental Disorder Diagnosis #2: Major Depressive Disorder, severe
ICD code: 296.32
Comments, if any:
This condition is more likely than not (greater than 50%
probability) related to military service.
Rationale: Veteran was seen for Psychiatric counseling with
depressed mood while active duty.
b. Medical diagnoses relevant to the understanding or management of the
Mental Health Disorder (to include TBI):
No response provided.
3. Differentiation of symptoms
------------------------------
a. Does the Veteran have more than one mental disorder diagnosed?
[X] Yes [ ] No
b. Is it possible to differentiate what symptom(s) is/are attributable to
each diagnosis?
[ ] Yes [X] No [ ] Not applicable (N/A)
If no, provide reason that it is not possible to differentiate what
portion of each symptom is attributable to each diagnosis and discuss
whether there is any clinical association between these diagnoses:
Due to the overlapping and intricately interwoven symptoms of PTSD
and Major Depressive Disorder it is not possible, without
resorting
to mere speculation, to differentiate what portion of each symptom
is attributable to each diagnosis. The two diagnoses have astrong
clinical association and likely exacerbate each other.
c. Does the Veteran have a diagnosed traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
[ ] Yes [ ] No [X] 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 deficiencies in most areas,
such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking and/or
mood
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 [X] No [ ] No other mental disorder has been diagnosed
If no, provide reason that it is not possible to differentiate what
portion of the indicated level of occupational and social impairment
is attributable to each diagnosis:
Due to the overlapping and intricately interwoven symptoms of PTSD
and Major Depressive Disorder, severe, it is not possible without
resorting to mere speculation to differentiate what portion of the
indicated level of occupational and social impairment is
attributable to each diagnosis.
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
------------------
Evidence reviewed (check all that apply):
[X] VA e-folder (VBMS or Virtual VA)
[X] CPRS
2. History
----------
not connect well with others, experienced "mood changes".
Veteran
lost a mentor, Lt Col Joseph A. Hoelscher who died April 26, 2006 at
Eglin AFB. The mentor was doing a physical fitness test and became
unresponsive, Veteran was a first responder and was unable to save
him. Wonders now what the mentor's family thinks. Also went to
2-3
month course twice in Maryland, University of Maryland in trauma ER
and
ambulance training in Baltimore. He had a lot of DNR calls and
"watched them die". He also had multiple calls on trauma
resessitations, including children. Had been married and got
divorced.b. Relevant Occupational and Educational history (pre-military, military,
and
post-military):
Stayed with parents when out of military, could not work with people,
became reculsive. Worked five months at a job that brother got for
him
as an assistant pressmen. Missed a lot of days and then just quit,
could not deal with being around people. Wife suggested they come
back
to Alaska, he got a job working in a warehouse, pulling lines, but
quit
after two weeks due to depression.
c. R
elevant Mental Health history, to include prescribed medications andfamily mental health (pre-military, military, and post-military):
Wanted to seek help at Eglin but being a medic he feared others could
see his records. In England saw a social worker for therapy and Dr.
Talon. REF Upwood in England for a year. Hospitalized in Providence
Hospital in 2015 for a week due to suicidal ideation, started on
Prozac
and rimron,switched to Effexor 225mg and rimron 15mg and klonipine for
panic attacks, which he took 3-4 times a month. With rimron he was
able to get some sleep. Continues to have night sweats and
nightmares,
which have to do with not being able to save people. He did attend
group therapy and saw SW for therapy. Currently has tremendous
difficulty with motivation. He recognizes that he has avoided therapy
due to fear. Now that wife is working there are days Veteran does not
get out of bed at all, wife directs him to take showers, change
clothes. He does talk with Mom and brother on the phone, feels he
needs a lot of time alone, goes on walks, smokes a cigarette. No
social life here, no friends, just spouse. Continues to not be
comfortable around people.
d. Relevant Legal and Behavioral history (pre-military, military, and
post-military):
In veteran's court for domestic violence. Finished Vet Court and
eight
months of treatment for PTSD and domestic violence, took 8 months
instead of 6 months because had difficulty getting out of bed,
depressive symptoms.
e. Relevant Substance abuse history (pre-military, military, and
post-military):
Use to drink some and that seemed to have a relationship to the
domestic violence, which did involve alcohol, now very seldom uses
alcohol. Continues to smoke.
f. Other, if any:
Admitted to Providence Psychiatric Unit 10/13/2015 - 10/19/2015 with
diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, severe; PTSD, and Social
Anxiety Disorder.
Medications: bupropion 300 mg 24 hr tablet
Commonly known as: WELLBUTRIN XL
Take 1 tablet by mouth Daily.
Cholecalciferol 2000 UNITS Tabs
Commonly known as: VITAMIN D-3
Take 2 tablets by mouth Daily.
mirtazapine 30 mg disintegrating tablet
Commonly known as: REMERON SOLTAB
Take 1 tablet by mouth nightly for 30 days.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: First responder at the death of his mentor, Lt Col Joseph A.
Hoelscher who died April 26, 2006 at Eglin AFB. The mentor was doing
a
physical fittness test and became unresponsive, Veteran was a first
responder and was unable to save him. Felt he received no debriefing
or support.
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: Also went to 2-3 month course twice in Maryland, University
of Maryland in trauma ER and ambulance training in Baltimore. He had
a
lot of DNR calls and "watched them die". He also had multiple
calls on
trauma resessitations, including children who died.
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?
[ ] Yes [X] No
If no, explain:
Working in Baltimore ER for training in ER medicine, 4-6 months
total, while active duty, C-STARS class.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 Criterion 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 Criterion 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 violence, in one or more of the following ways:
[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] Intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure
to
internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an
aspect of 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] Inability to remember an important aspect of the
traumatic
event(s) (typically due to dissociative amnesia and not
to
other factors such as head injury, alcohol, or drugs).
[X] Persistent, distorted cognitions about the cause or
consequences of the traumatic event(s) that lead the
individual to blame himself/herself or others.
[X] Persistent negative emotional state (e.g., fear, horror,
anger, guilt, or shame).
[X] Markedly diminished interest or participation in
significant activities.
[X] Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others.
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] Reckless or self-destructive behavior.
[X] Hypervigilance.
[X] Exaggerated startle response.
[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 PTSDdiagnosis?:
[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] Panic attacks that occur weekly or less often
[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
[X] Neglect of personal appearance and hygiene
[X] Intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living,
including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene -
Hello,
I am new here. I just received a rating of 10% for my back with a completion date of 10/01/16. However my PTSD claim states deferred. My C&P exam shows that I have in-service stressors and have been diagnosed with PTSD. Anyone know why this is happing?
Awarded 70% but claim sent back to gathering of evidence for IU
in TDIU Unemployability Claims
Posted
Thanks!