AtlMarine

I had a C&P exam today with QTC. (c&p for back pain) I arrived early and filled out the initial form at reception. Took 1 minute. I was then called and taken to the exam room where my vitals were taken. That took approx. 2 minutes. The examiner then came in and asked me a few questions while reading my answers they ask you to write and bring to the exam. The examiner thanked me for taking the time to detail my answers about my back and condition, etc. (as though most people do not) She then had me do the range of motion test forward twice and range of motion laterally once. That was it. I made sure to fill her in that I was in the infantry and carried an overloaded pack (0311 infantry, USMC) and that I often get numbness/tingling and pain down my arms from my back to my fingers. She seemed to listen but did not ask any further questions. I was in and out of the exam in about 5-8 minutes tops. MY QUESTION: Is a Fast c&p exam for back pain a good sign or bad??? I am curious to know your opinions and feedback. What were your experiences?? Thanks

My Dr. at the VA said I have degenerative arthritis throughout my neck and back based on Xrays the VA did on me this year. I have had pain in my neck and back ever since carrying a heavy pack in the Marines (infantry). My questions are: 1) Do I have to have a buddy letter to get approved? or can a Dr.'s dbq act as a nexus? 2) How high of a rating are people receiving for degenerative arthritis and/or disability for neck and back? (I have been hearing max. 40%) My plan: I am plannimg to submit my VA medical records(xrays, etc.) and a dbq from a back/neck Dr.. WIll this be enough or do I need to get a buddy letter? (I have been out of the Corps for 26 years) Thank you for your input.

ArmyMajor and doc25, thanks for your input. I greatly appreciate it. * I've looked for the ptsd C & P exam questionnaire but cannot find one. ** What is "PTSD with SSD"? I know what ptsd is but what is the "SSD" mean? Thanks again to both of you. It's very helpful. I have had some horrendous experiences with many at the VA claims dept. in Atlanta. Having said that, there are many helpful people in the VA hospital once you get in past the "gate keepers".

I greatly appreciate the members who gave me feedback on my dbq the other day. I just submitted my fully developed claim for ptsd with the following: 1) dbq- attached 2) Two buddy letters: one from a buddy who witnessed the same killing I witnessed. The other is from my brother giving accounts of my behavior since I came home from the Corps. My brother says that I have headbutted him on two occassions when we had a heated discussion. Another friend said I did the same to him. I don't remember head butting either. But I know I get heated up easily. 3) Social Security Record: Job history print out: 95 jobs in 26 years MY QUESTION IS: What should I expect when the VA schedules my C&P exam? Do all fully developed claims go to a C&P? Specifically, what kinds of questions and what takes place at the exam? Does the examiner just go over what I provided or test me or what? I don't want to overthink it, but I sure as heck want to be prepared because I don't trust the VA in Atlanta. Thanks DBQ.pdf

I really appreciated all of the feedback and information you guys (and gals) have given me on the attached dbq. So I just submitted a fully developed claim for ptsd with the attached dbq you commented on along with two buddy letters and my statement. So I guess I hurry up and wait now. Any guesses as to how many months it will take to get an answer or a c&p exam scheduled? What happens from here on out? What is the process? Thanks:-)

I greatly appreciate all of the feedback. This is really helpful. I also have a buddy letter from another squadleader in my unit who witnessed the event/death happening as well. And I have another buddy letter from my brother describing an episode where I violently head butted him as well as my change in behavior after my discharge from the Marines. So far I have: 1) the attached dbq 2) the 2 buddy letters (one from a witness from my unit) 3) I also got a documented job history from social security admin of all jobs I've had since my discharge in 1993. I have had approx. 90 jobs since my discharge. I can't keep a job. It's now up to the VA. Thanks again

Broncovet, Thank you for your input. It really helps me a lot. I am guardedly optimistic but not counting on anything. Semper fidelis!

I realize PTSD disability claims and %'s are solely up to the VA personnel to decide upon, but would any of you "experts" read my dbq and weigh-in with your opinion as to: a) my chances of approval and if so b) what % range I Might get approved for by the VA? I greatly appreciate this forum and the people who help educate and give opinions to the rest of us on the VA disability claim process. * I am well aware that no one on this forum can tell me for sure: a) if I will get approved and b) what %. I'm only asking for an opinion.* Thank you. DBQ.pdf

I was turned down by the VA for a PTSD claim. Can anyone please recommend an Attorney to help me appeal the decision? Thanks:-)

Buck and others, Thanks for the replies and input. The paragraph I quoted came from the therapist I was referred to by the VA. But it is not at the Atlanta VA hosp. It is an offsite office where Vets go for treatment, I guess. I want to get all of the help I can for the symptoms I have. However, I just thought it was odd because I just put in for a PTSD claim last month. Who should I go to for help on my claim?? An attorney? I appreciate any guidance you can offer.

I have put in for PTSD claim at the Atlanta VA. They sent me to an offsite Veteran's Health Administration (VHA) for a 2 month therapy session. HOWEVER, On the first and second visits, they gave me a form that states and they explicitly told me the following: "Veteran's Health Admin.(VHA) services, including those offered by this program, are for the purposes of healthcare/treatment and are not provided for the purposes of establishing or increasing disability payments, which you may address more appropriately with the Veterans Benefits Admin. (VBA). In fact, the overall aim of this treatment program CONFLICTS with goals related to establishing oneself as disabled. As such, participation in this program could harm any goals related to obtaining or increasing disability pay. Similarly, please consider that you might not be able to engage productively in a recovery oriented treatment for a condition you are simultaneously trying to obtain disability payment for, as this frequently increases treatment sabotaging behaviors like using session time to list symptoms rather than working to eliminate them, not completing homework assignments, and overall pre-occupation with maintaining diagnoses that could influence disability ratings rather than working to eliminate those diagnoses." My question: Will this keep me from getting disability? I appreciate any help the VA can give me, but I can't hold a job because of my ptsd and need benefits. I don't want this to hurt my chances of getting rated for ptsd. Should I keep going to these VHA sessions? Also, where should I go to get guidance for my PTSD claim??? I'm clueless. Thanks in advance.