WHOLESALE

Verifiable Stressor "would" be required for PTSD. You can't just tell the VA you have an aweful experience and expect them to believe it without the evidence. What is your stressor in the service that that's causing your PTSD? What are the reasons they denied you in the SOC??? frank

ah, I have one of those next month. They (VA) sent me a half gallon jug of powder mix to drink a day or two before the procedure. Also can't eat any solids day before. Guess that makes sense. Never had this done before. Any hints on what's to come? How can I obtain a copy of the video. LOL frank

what's ol' scope??? frank

Makes sense Pete....the VA does not care about school unless you have an ACTIVE claim for P&T or TDIU. It all comes down to what's in your medical records AND/OR you start maintaining work. I commend anyone that's 100% that wants to improve their quality of life and get an education. frank

Berta, I definitely agree with the SSD thingy. I been on SSD for same S/C condition for 3 years and never have received a TDIU form from VA. I did print one off the web and send it in myself though. frank

It's all speculation but I would just have a mindset of it taking longer than 6 weeks so you're not dissapointed. We can all say it's gonna take 6 months, a year, two years, even more but no one knows due to factors such as a complicated claim, backload, and others. frank

I know carly. I read it but the C&P examiner isn't on the rating board. If you just go ahead and expect a decision in 6 months and it happens sooner then you will be more content and not drive yourself crazy if you don't get a decision in 6 weeks. I'm hoping you hear something in 6 weeks though. Just don't won't you to go overboard if you have to wait longer. That's all. It's all about mindset. frank

Keep your head up is all I can say. I have a great feeling you will get your award. Get a copy of your C&P exam. Go to release of information and tell them you want a printout of your exam. Go ahead and count on a timeframe of 6 months and if it happens sooner count your blessings. I know it's hard. Just hang in there. frank

yep yep, make sure you get a copy of that exam next time around. Get a copy of that test too. frank

Hey this sounds promising as ever. Hang in there, i know it's hard though. I never have heard of a VA examiner stating that that an award is definite but this sounds like you will hear something favorable soon. 6 weeks sounds really soon but i'm praying for ya. frank

carlie, so when a doc uses the word co-morbid does that means the two conditions exacerbate each other or the just connected to each other? The reason I ask is my VA doc used this word in a letter he sent the VA. Oh, i'm thinking now it just means both conditions together present a much higher chance of death. Hate to use the word death but I think that's what it kind of means. thanks, frank

Carly, in the past the VA has gotten my SSD records without me even knowing it. I think I signed a release when I first opened my claim in 2003. Maybe that's why they were able to get them. Not sure. I just found out from my VSO they have them so all good now. thanks for all the comments on this, frank

jesse, make sure if you haven't already get SSD a copy of your C&P. This should help greatly with your ssd. frank

I agree....why wait when SSD can take months. Maybe in your case it will be quicker since your C&P results preclude you from working. frank

Hi pete, this was several years ago and lucky enough for me it was a private doc that administered the tests. frank

Yep, I know some disabled vets that will tell everyone their disabled but I don't go that route. To me, it's none of anyone's business and I keep it at that. frank

I had to take the MMPI twice because the examiner said I exaggerated my problems on the first one. I told him I did the test according to my worst day. He then said just to be neutral with what's going on because it will always come up as exaggerated if you give it your worst day. Just something for you guys that haven't taken it. The tests took me about 3 hours to complete. frank

Was this a C&P exam and how long have you been treated for PTSD? frank

PCL is an established "cutting score" (cutting scores that are consistent with or supportive of a PTSD diagnosis are as follows: PCL - not less than 50; Mississippi Scale not less than 107; MMPI PTSD subscale a score > 28; MMPI code type: 2-8 or 2-7-8) I got this off VA website. frank

search of psych evaluations in your area. Find one that specializes in disability evaluations. Took about 2 weeks to get final report. There are plenty out there that do psych evals for disability purposes but you're better off finding one in your area. works faster that way since you don't have to get your C-file sent to someone across the country and that can take months. of course if you have your C-file already that will speed up things. frank

Nothing is automatic with the VA. Looks like that one line was a typo. Do you get SSD for more than your service connected disabilities? Sometimes this will throw a wrench in things. frank

This is what I did and i'm waiting for decision: 1. Appeal of course 2. google "psychiatric evaluations for disability for (your county)" and type in your city or county 3. call around to the different choices. Best are those that specialize in disability evaluations. 4. Ask how much it will cost. Mine was $800. 5. tell them why you need the evaluation (VA disability for unemployability) 6. Get them your VA medical records for the timeline of your claim. Doesn't have to be your whole C-file for IU. Just the timelime you're claiming for IU. 7. Mine took about 2 weeks to get the final report. You have time since it's an appeal. 8. DO IT NOW frank

yep yep, it's like telling someone who's suicidal not to do it because it's illegal. Huh frank

Hey Pete, just wondering if your claim is at rating board and you did have an Comp&Pen exam do you think it be less likely to get bounced around? Just curious on this. Frank

John, I think they do the MMPI just for the reason you say they don't. They want to get a PD diagnosis so as to deny based on PD. MMPI is so manipulative and doctor can say you have PD just by answering a few questions differently. It's a crap shoot with these guys. On my last MMPI with civilian doc there was a question that asked if I liked to tease animals. Well I could of either answer that Yes or No depending on what they mean by teasing. I play tease all the time but not in a malicious way. Many questions were asked twice or maybe three times just in different ways. The problem with this is the same questions can be interpreted differently when asked a different way so you may answer yes on one and no on another. After 3 hours I was just ready to throw in the towel. These tests are draining and boring. The way I see it there's too much room for interpretation with many of these questions. Just for the record though I answered "NO" to the teasing question..... :D LOL frank