soundtweak

Thank you for a reply Phillip. I sent you a PM with a link to my scanned remand. I am looking for some outside interpretation as my mind is a little clouded after reading it more than a few times. Thanks again!

I have recently won my appeal for an earlier effective date of 1996 from 2003. My letter from the Board of Veterans Appeals was very detailed concerning the case history and related codes, but it does not list what my rating decission is. Does my case now go back to my RO for them to decide? I am just curious as to how they rate this and what the time frame could be? Thanks!

Thank you Carlie!

1. Definitely retain a Service Officer. I used the DAV, but have been told the VFW is more dilligent. You may be able to request a lawyer now that VA laws have been revised. Go to http://www.vetadvocates.org and get someone who is a NOVA(National Organization of Veterans' Advocates) member and is admitted to CAVC(U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims). 2. Always send documents Certified Mail with Signature Confirmation, after you have made copies for your records. 3.You can always go to the ROIF(Release of Infromation) desk at your local VA Med Center for documentation on all visits and doctors records on your husband(you can have them print them out while you are there). 4. Don't overload the claims process by filing multiple claims for various conditions. This will only make the process longer than it already is. 5. Get independent medical reviews from a doctor outside of the VA and use as New and Material Evidence. 6. As upset and mad as the system can make you, always be courteous with your VA contact(which is why it is better to get a lawyer to represent you). 7. Never give up on your claim if there is no doubt that you can proove actual service connection. 8. Good Luck!

I have finally been assigned to the Polytrauma center at my VA hospital for chiropractor treatment. My doctor asked me to get my MRI scans that I had from my local hospital in 2008 and 2010. I went to the imaging center and they gave me a CD of the requested reports. It is in the IDX Imagecast format and autoruns in Windows. There is another format called DICOM, but I was not given a copy of this. Can the VA convert IDX to DICOM, or will I have to request another copy in the latter format? Any information is grately appreciated!

Dear Brother, It is a "system" of all system's.....But IT does eventually work. Do not give up on your claim; make sure you can back up all claims, and do not try to submit more than one legitimate claim at once as it can jumble the claims time-frame, and the DRO's in general. It's not rocket science, but the VA could use some theory of relativity to come to some conclusions. Good luck in your claims process! soundtweak

Dear Hadit, My brother-in-law has recently been diagnosed with PTSD. He served as a Civil Affairs Liaison attached to the 5th Special Forces Group in Iraq(2006). He has underwent the pressure of patrolling, direct engagements, and the responsibility of the accountability of his troops. 4 years and a few jobs later he has finally been diagnosed with PTSD/TBI , not to mention the loss of a number off subordinate troops within his unit. Should he start his claims process NOW, or wait to develop more VA medical assessment? They are already trying the medical cocktails which I warned him about. He has a legitimate case with a real combat unit. I want to encourage him to start the claim process NOW while his case develops, as we all know it takes some amount of time. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, soundtweak

I'll try to make this long story short. I just received my letter from the BVA. They granted me 30% SC for "anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified(claimed as PTSD)". My original claim is for PTSD and all of my stressors have been proven as well as my original diagnosis. The only problem is my most recent C&P from Mar. 08 had 14+ mistakes and inaccuracies from a doctor who has been reported to the "Patients Advocate" by numerous people. The BVA is basing my 5 years of appeals on this individual's "opinion". My PTSD claim would be effective to Jun 1997, however they want to "award" me SC-Anxiety Disorder effective Aug. 2003. Now my latest evaluation from another social worker claims I have "Anger Issues", and not PTSD. I get a different diagnosis from every VA "professional" I've encountered. Pretty much anger, anxiety, sleep disorders, nightmares, etc.....fit under the PTSD umbrella as far as I know....... Should I take my case to the CAVC with legal representation other than my DAV rep. whom I have only talked to once in 4 years? I know the service officers are busy and I don't want to take credit away from the work they do, but I feel I can represent myself better than I have been represented. Is the CAVC worth the trouble? Thanks for your help folks!

I'll try to make this long story short. I just received my letter from the BVA. They granted me 30% SC for "anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified(claimed as PTSD)". My original claim is for PTSD and all of my stressors have been proven as well as my original diagnosis. The only problem is my most recent C&P from Mar. 08 had 14+ mistakes and inaccuracies from a doctor who has been reported to the "Patients Advocate" by numerous people. The BVA is basing my 5 years of appeals on this individual's "opinion". My PTSD claim would be effective to Jun 1997, however they want to "award" me SC-Anxiety Disorder effective Aug. 2003. Now my latest evaluation from another social worker claims I have "Anger Issues", and not PTSD. I get a different diagnosis from every VA "professional" I've encountered. Pretty much anger, anxiety, sleep disorders, nightmares, etc.....fit under the PTSD umbrella as far as I know....... Should I take my case to the CAVC with legal representation other than my DAV rep. whom I have only talked to once in 4 years? I know the service officers are busy and I don't want to take credit away from the work they do, but I feel I can represent myself better than I have been represented. Is the CAVC worth the trouble? Thanks for your help folks!

1. Yes I did receive my C&P Evaluation and I found 14+ mistakes and inaccuracies. 2. My evaluator did not have a copy of my original C&P nor did he review my BVA remand. He knew nothing of my case. 3. I have not received a denial of PTSD, just a letter from my DAV National Service Officer stating the s/c for anxiety disorder. The letter also stated that it will be 3-4 months before I receive an official notice from the AMC due to backlogged cases. Thanks for the replys!

Here was the diagnosis from my recent C&P Evaluation from Mar. 2008 for the AMC that I feel the doctor really screwed up: AXIS I Anxiety Disorder, NOS Axis II Narcissistic personality traits Axis III Per Medical Evaluation Axis IV Job, money, self reliance issues Axis V GAF=70(current and past year). ---------------------------------------------------------- Here is my evaluation from 2003 when I filed my claim for PTSD: Axis I PTSD Social Phobia Axis II Deferred Axis III Deferred Axis IV Impairment in occupational, mental and social functioning Axis V GAF=50 --------------------------------------------------- It took me 5 years and 3 appeals to verify my stressors at the BVA. Now that my stressors are verified, this latest C&P screwed up my PTSD claim and the AMC recently ruled "Service-connection for anxiety disorder not otherwise specified(claimed as PTSD) is granted with an evaluation of 30% effective August 8, 2003". Is it possible to write the AMC and have them rule with my original evaluation, as PTSD does not necessarily get better? Especially when dealing with the VA appeals process, I feel symptoms can get worse.

The worse case scenerio anyone could ever do reguarding their application for benefits is to miss their C&P Exam. That is the single most important scheduled meeting of your claim! It would have been wise to make that appointment; because once you enter the appeals process, it is a long and winding road.The VA will not take into consideration that he may suffer from PTSD, OC disorder, Anxiety, Depression, etc..........On paper they will clearly state that he "FAILED TO APPEAR". That is bad....Very bad concerning a case. All I can reccommend is to get the DAV, VFW, American Legion or any other Service Officer to represent you/him now. They may be able to work some magic, but just be advised that there are thousands of veterans with solid cases who would die for a C&P immediately! NEVER MISS A VA APPOINTMENT EVER AGAIN!!!!!!

Yes, it is service connected, but my whole claim is based on my PTSD diagnosis and combat stressors. The "social anxiety" is granted back to 2003 when my PTSD claim was reopened even though I never filed for social anxiety. The BVA would have gone back to 1997 for SC PTSD according to their current ruling. Even though their decision has been made, I am going to appeal it and seek a higher rating for SC PTSD. I have contacted my doctor at my VAMC who is going to take me on Tuesday for an updated PTSD evaluation. I am hoping the AMC will see the errors made in my C&P Evaluation and grant me a new one. Thanks for your replys!

Ok....I have recieved information from my POA on my PTSD claim after 5 years of appeals and a less than desirable C&P Examination from a doctor who made over 14 mistakes. His "opinion" was that I have Anxiety Disorder and Narcissistic Personality Disorder and NOT PTSD. I received a 30% rating from the AMC for Anxiety Disorder. Can I appeal this decission? I am currently on pension, and a 30% SC rating is 1/3 the amount I currently get to survive.

Does anyone know how to decipher this information from my PTSD C&P Evaluation? It is as follows: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mental Status Exam This was a casually dressed, adequately groomed, 37 year old with normal speech. His mood was anxious and his affect was anxious and dysphoris. There was no SI/HI or psychosis. His thoughts were linear. Judgment was preserved. Insight was poor. Diagnosis Axis I Anxiety Disorder, NOS Axis II Narcissistic personality traits Axis III Per medical evaluation Axis IV Job, money, self-reliance issues Axis V Gaf = 70 (current and past year). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This doctor made 13 mistakes in my review. Can I ask the AMC to grant me a new C&P?