[PTSD Re-exam after two years of being 70%]

On 3/13/2018 at 1:15 PM, broncovet said:

The "eg" above, means "for example".  This is important.  It does not mean you have to have phlebitis or heart disease to qualify under "diseases subject to episodic improvement".  It means ANY disease subject to episodic improvement.  

Let me give another example:  Depression or PTSD.  You do not have to have symptoms 100 percent of the time to obtain benefits for depression or PTSD.  Its not required you wear a tshirt which states, "I have PTSD" leave me alone.  NO.  A Veteran, when he goes for a c and p exam, reports his WORST symptoms.  Its fine to feel great on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, but on Wednesday you get in a fight with your wife because you have a flashback and she tries to wake you.  PTSD is quite episodic.  It would be rare for a PTSD Vet to experience PTSD symptoms ALL of the time.  Gee, I bet the PTSD Vet feels fine when he has a good time at his daughters birthday party.  No symptoms of PTSD then, but no reduction, either.  

@broncovet Great info posted here, and most appreciated!!  I was given a 30% SC rating for PTSD at my discharge from service in 2002... I was under rated. Took me until 2009 to get my gumption up, with the support of a group of great Vietnam Vets that I had met, to file a claim for increase. That was settled in 2012 when they granted 50% retro to July of 2009 and then 70% retro to September of 2009. That's where I'm currently still at, but I had a regular comp and pen exam for PTSD scheduled in June 2016 where they maintained my 70%.  The new kicker is that I got surprised with another comp and pen exam for PTSD that I just attended March 7th. I don't know why 2 exams so close together, and I'm sweating the outcome of this one right now. Doesn't seem right that the VA shoulcc be allowed to wreak so much havoc upon a vet's life with these ridiculous stressful exams when you're already just trying to keep your head above water. 

[DBQ?]

Thanks Buck. My Exam was done by some outfit called LHI, set up by the VA. Will the normal wait period (3 days) still apply in thuus instance?

[DBQ?]

Is there a way to view the completed DBQ from my PTSD C&P re-exam that I had last week, March 7th?  I have got a log in for ebenefits, but I'm new to using the site, and not sure if I've looked in all the right places.  I've found where I can click on "Work in Process" under the My Claims and Appeals tab.  Then I can see where I have 1 open claim.  If I click on this, I see there was a Development Letter sent.  When I open the claim status I see a green dot and it says Initial Exam Complete.  This is as far as I've gotten...I can't actually find the DBQ from the examiner to view it.  I've also gone to my health evet and looked for it to show up in my Progress Notes, but it's not there either.  Does anyone know if there is a way I can view this info, or do I have to wait for the official letter to come from the VA?

[VSO change]

Thanks for all the input so far guys!  Things are unfortunately a bit complicated for me. Have a seasonal business in Maine and that's my legal state of residence which is why I was at Togus (pcp was at satellite clinic in northern maine) to begin with. Have a house in NY and had a stroke in 2012 while there. That's how I ended up in Syracuse VA system. I like the care there better than Togus by about a million percent. I was discharged from USN in 2002 with 30% SC for PTSD, filed claim for increase in in 2009 thru Togus. I've gotten a surprise notification for this Eval I mentioned next week with some outfit called LHI up here in Maine. I have zero contact with any claims processing outlets in N.Y. so far, but that's where I go for my appointments so I'm figuring it will be easier to access my records and anything I might need there. 

[VSO change]

First off, I'm new to the forum so Hello to all.  I'll cut to the chase and say that I'm preparing myself to need a ton of advice coming up as I've been summoned to appear for ANOTHER Comp & Pen Eval for my PTSD coming up.  This is a surprise as I just had what I thought were the routine Re-evaluations call my number 19 months ago for my PTSD (70%) and a couple other SC disabilities.  Going to start off with what I hope is a simple question concerning a change of VSO though.  I initially was in the TOGUS Maine system and used the DAV there to help with my claim I filed for an increased evaluation for several deteriorating conditions (primarily PTSD) in 2009.  They were of little help, and I ended up doing most of my own research and writing.  After a long drawn out affair, I eventually won the PTSD increase in late 2012.  Meanwhile, I am now in the Syracuse, NY VA system, where I receive all my health treatment.  I am anticipating a new fight as I can not for the life of me figure out why I'm being called for another Comp and Pen so soon...it just feels foreboding.   Does anyone out there know how I would go about switching my designated VSO? Is there any VSO out there that any of you would recommend other than DAV, as I had no joy with them on my last claims experience?  Thanks for any input offered, it's most appreciated.  I wish I would have had this forum in my corner during my last go round.