[Zero % After Dro Hearing For Ptsd]

Doc, mental health issues are all rated the same. By this I mean you can not receive a rating for, lets say, PTSD and MDD. That would fall under the pryamid rule in title 38. So you will not see any help there. The only way to get an increase is with medical evidence. Or if they overlooked or simply failed to use the evidence you have already presented then the next logical step is to continue your appeal to the board.

Thanks, Ricky,

Since the C&P did not diagnose PTSD based on his abbreviated exam , but did concede service connected MDD; and the DRO, after review of the evidence, found FOR PTSD , which was originally claimed; we are going to have to appeal with an ammended claim for MDD... or for an increase in compensation percentage for the PTSD 0%.

It seems to be a case of VA failing to use the evidence I have already presented.

I am so confused! Who's on first?

Doc John

[Zero % After Dro Hearing For Ptsd]

CowGirl,

This is a question I asked Pete, and I wanted your opinion and anyone else's who may have dealt with similar situations:

I filed my claim for PTSD in 2005.

At my C&P a couple of months ago the shrink conceded MDD "more likeley than not service connected", but said my symptoms were not severe enough to rate me for PTSD. I requested decision review.

Now the DRO (letter arrived Friday) has rated me 0% for PTSD based on all the evidence I presented.

We [DRO, VSR, and myself] have ammended the claim to include both MDD & PTSD.

1.) How can I get my rating increased?

2.)Do two mental health disabilities qualify me for higher compensation ratings

Thanks,

Doc

[Zero % After Dro Hearing For Ptsd]

CowGirl,

This is a question I asked Pete, and I wanted your opinion and anyone else's who may have dealt with similar situations:

I filed my claim for PTSD in 2005.

At my C&P a couple of months ago the shrink conceded MDD "more likeley than not service connected", but said my symptoms were not severe enough to rate me for PTSD. I requested decision review.

Now the DRO (letter arrived Friday) has rated me 0% for PTSD based on all the evidence I presented.

We [DRO, VSR, and myself] have ammended the claim to include both MDD & PTSD.

1.) How can I get my rating increased?

2.)Do two mental health disabilities qualify me for higher compensation ratings

Thanks,

Doc

[Zero % After Dro Hearing For Ptsd]

CowGirl,

This is a question I asked Pete, and I wanted your opinion and anyone else's who may have dealt with similar situations:

I filed my claim for PTSD in 2005.

At my C&P a couple of months ago the shrink conceded MDD "more likeley than not service connected but said my symptoms were not severe enough to rate me for PTSD. I requested decision review.

Now the DRO (letter arrived Friday) has rated me 0% for PTSD based on all the evidence I presented.

We have ammended the claim to include both MDD & PTSD.

1.) How can I get my rating increased?

2.)Do two mental health disabilities qualify me for higher compensation ratings

Thanks,

Doc

[Zero % After Dro Hearing For Ptsd]

Thanks, Pete, I feel the same way.

It can't hurt and if I spread the cost over the total time between filing my claim in 2005 and whenever I am compensated, it is down-right cheap!

[Zero % After Dro Hearing For Ptsd]

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? :)

Thanks Doc Johnny K.

Hello everyone,

I got an appointment with a psychiatrist that john999 referred me to for an IMO. She worked at the James Haley VAMC in Tampa, way back when. She had no kind words for the VA paper trail or the attending shrinks.

I have to pay her "out of pocket", but it may speed my claim since she knows the way the VA works.

Thanks john999.