[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

Good Morning All.

Just a quick update, and as usual, some questions. All C&P Exams for the claim have been completed. Also, my husband had a C&P for Gulf War Illness (he got on the registry). We were told at the time of the GWI exam that it was for info only, and the results would be sent only to Washington. Since that exam, my husband was diagnosed with high blood pressure, which we've later requested the GWI exam be amended to include. Come to find out, the GWI exam will be sent along with the other exams to RO. Also, made the decision to file for TDIU, even though I am unable to get a copy of the exam results. I was told that because 3 of the 4 exams were outside providers (which the va sent us to) that I couldn't get the copies until they were sent to the RO or the information office.

Questions: if the GWI exam shows 'issues', will the RO take that into account without us specifically requesting it in the form of a claim? Will the TDIU application slow down the entire decision phase? Also, given that all exams are complete, and assuming the entire exam packet will be sent to the RO, and that the next step is the decision phase, would it be ineffective to file for hardship? (I just lost my job this week) Meaning, until I find new employment or unemployment kicks in, we currently have no income. If I submit a hardship, will that expedite the decision phase at all?

So far we are at about 200-days, well past what the VA advertises as their average 160-day turn around time. I feel like we are finally getting toward the end, however, given current unemployed status, and expediting would be welcome. From what I've read, the decision phase is 10-40 days, then more time in notification. Is there anything we can do?

[149 Days & Counting]

We passed the 149-day mark long ago. We are now on day 198 for PTSD, elbow, tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. We submitted the claim, then I had to hunt down the service records and submit them ourselves, also have had 2 C&P exams so far (elbow and ptsd) with the final on Friday. I was told that the claims (goal) should be completed within 160-days, however, that doesn't seem true.

Have you been scheduled for C&P exam yet? Do you have other issues? Where is your claim in the process? Even after you've had all exams, it takes some time to get it all to the RO, then sits there until it goes to a rater. Then on to someone else before you get your determination. All I can advise it to hurry up and wait, no different than when you were in the service.

This process is not really designed to help, so you must help yourself. Take advantage of all the VA has to offer, keep getting the help you need. The money will be there eventually. At least it will be a bigger retro check.

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

So John, is that what you think they were doing, just trying to see if my husband had all the symptoms? The questions were pretty leading, and unless you had no idea what PTSD was, you wouldn't do well on the test. My husband answered honestly and I think the examiner could see he was struggling, especially since he recommended my husband get some counseling.

I guess we are just too anxious to get the results, or to finally have someone recognize that my husband has some real issues.

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

Hello All. Just wanted to report about the recent PTSD C&P exam. We had been fretting over this exam simply because we had no idea what was going to be asked. I have read so many forums and blogs regarding the C&P, all of them being totally different. I once read that there is no way to 'study' so just relax and tell the truth. Of all, this is the best possible advice.

My husband was scheduled with a QTC. He was given a 12-page evaluation sheet to complete. The examiner asked all the questions directly from the sheet, making additional notes here and there. There was a brief memory test, little more conversation and it was over. 30-minutes. The examiner did not ask my husband to go into detail about any of the stressors, just briefly what there were and that they existed. The questionaire included things like: how do you get along with people (excellent, good, fair, poor), do you use alcohol or drugs, do they affect your life, do you have suicidal or homicidal thoughts, do you ever have problems thinking clearly, do you have delusions, have you ever behaved inappropriately in public, do you have panic attacks, are you depressed, are you anxious, how do you sleep. That's it, with a brief explanation of each answer.

I have heard of other exams lasting 2-hours or better, with the same question being asked multiple times and ways. I must say, our experience was simple and to the point.

I just wanted to see if anyone else had a similar experience, and what they felt about it.

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

Thanks to everyone at HadIt.com for your words of wisdom and insight. I just found out today that my husband will be receiving letters scheduling the C&P exams he's been waiting for - 3 total. Through all the bs of waiting for records ordered from the wrong agency, to the stack of 'still working on it' letters and numerous phone calls, we have finally reached the point where my husband can be examined by VA doctors. Which is a challenge in itself, but at least it's a new challenge.

To anyone in the midst of a claim, all I can recommend is be diligent. I feel as if I have nothing but time and tenacity when it comes to working on my husband's behalf to secure what we feel he deserves. I have no idea how this will all turn out, or what his eventual rating will be, but I know that we have stayed the course, or should I say obstacle course of the VA.

This website has given me the most encouragement. I have done lots of research and read as much as I can about this broken system. The squeaky wheel definitely gets the attention.

As a side note, through the research, we now believe that my husband my also fit into the category of Gulf War Illness. Not with the infectious diseases, but what has been labeled at other conditions (illnesses) not diagnosed. We have already began the Gulf War Illness exams process which involves blood work, xrays, then doctor's evaluation. If nothing else, we are now on the registry, so as the goverment discovers more information (or it's leaked) we will be kept informed. I hate to think that some future illness could be attributed to what we don't know now.

Can anyone offer advice on what to do if the Gulf War Illness exams results warrant a claim? Should it be a new claim, or the original claim reopened? I think (which may go against how the VA thinks) that if in fact this 'illness' should become a claim, the VA already has all the necessary information - 'verified gulf war theater', and a medical diagnosis of Gulf War Illness. Would this 'add' to the original claim delay the original claim? Or if it is a new claim, would we have to go through everything all over again, or will VA realized that they already have all the pertinent information and avoid the lengthy 'development' phase?

I would like feedback from anyone who has had a claim in, and before it was settled, had a new issue to add. I would like to know how it was handled and what the end result was.

Thanks

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

Thanks Berta. Very helpful as to what to expect. This whole experience is very frustrating for my husband and he certainly feels like he's getting the run around. I have to remind him that this is the government, what else did he think would happed.

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

Berta, I agree, only time will tell how the VA will handle the new PTSD regs.

However, I can see right now that the totality of VA workers are clueless. First, we requested a PTSD evaluation 'referral' from mental health doctor. Well, what we got was sent to the mental health clinic, seen by a social worker who proceeded to tell us that she was only available for one-on-one talk therapy, and not able to assess PTSD (only a psychiatrist or psycologist can). I would think that mental health doctor knew that before she sent us off on this goose chase. Needless to say, we left empty handed, no assessment, nothing but frustration.

Seeing I received the elusive military service records myself, I faxed/sent them to the VARO. Called today to see if they had been logged in yet. I was told by the representative that they had not been logged, and it didn't matter anyway because VA was obligated to continue to wait to receive the records from Archives (which doesn't have them). Really, why is that? He told me that there were documents contained within the records that proved the stressors happened, with specific dates and times. I have the records right here and I don't see anything more than my husband did a tour in the Persian Gulf during the war, dates, but sorry no times. And I didn't see anything relating to events that happened on the ship, or mines being imploded in the gulf, of scud missiles anywhere in the file. So, upon further inquiry to the rep, I was told that I probably didn't get the complete records, that the Dept of Navy only sent me partial information. When I mentioned the new PTSD regs stating that need to verify the stressor account was no longer necessary as long as the claimed stressor is consistent with places, types and circumstances of the veteran' services and there is no information to the contrary, and the dd214 has the proper dates and CAR, there should be no need to prove stressors with dates and times. At that point, he said that there were still waiting on records from archives (again I told him archives didn't have them) and it could take up to 1-year to receive them, or even a response that they don't have them.

Now, I'm thinking I should get my congressman/senator involved. It's been 4-mos total, but 104-days waiting on records that they will never get from archives who never had them. That's the part that pisses me off. 4-mos is not that long, but the retardation over these records has me so angry and I feel like something must be done.

Any advice about integrating a 3rd party (congressman/senator)? We told our DAV about the wait for records, but he didn't seem to think that was a problem.

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

Berta, thanks for the feedback. I guess my question about the stressors comes from whether this doctor (eval tomorrow) will give him a PTSD diagnosis. I'm not concerned about proving it to the VARO, I am concerned about getting the actual diagnosis from this doctor. Why, my husbands memory is bad, he does not / will not show emotion, and still has an extremely difficult time expressing himself to strangers. I know the PTSD eval is the one place you should open up, but I'm afraid he can't open up to strangers. I worry that this doctor will classify him as having something else (because I think VA docs are getting to be unwilling to diagnose PTSD as a front line defense for the VA).

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

In less than 2-short weeks, I have managed to do what the VARO seems not to be able to. I have received my husbands Military Service Records (VARO requested these same records 98-days ago). I am getting ready to fax these docs to them, having already called the 800# to make note of their receipt.

My husband has a PTSD evaluation tomorrow, ordered by his mental health doctor, not VARO. We have reviewed his doctor's previous notes, which only mentions PTSD (mentions, not a diagnosis), along with mood disorder and anxiety disorder. Also states there are 'other' mental issues. At his last visit, we specifically asked the doctor to make the PTSD diagnosis, but it doesn't seem as if she can, or will. She stated that she only goes off what we tell her, hence, the PTSD eval tomorrow.

Question, based on this appointment, and assuming this doctor makes an official diagnosis of what we know to be true, will the VARO still proceed with ordering a C&P exam? Also, how do the other mentionings of mood and anxiety disorders play into this?

I think my husband needs to make a list of his stressors, with details, so that he can make sure to mention all of what he's remembered so far (his memory is really bad)? Is that appropriate? Or would it be better to let the evaluator read it?

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

Thanks Stillhere, so do I. I find it so difficult to accept that the President and other government officials tout how important it is to support our Veterans, when it seems as if our government workers do all they can to subterfuge the benefits our vets deserve. I almost feel as if the VARO rep sent the request to the wrong agency on purpose, so that months later they can claim that they can't find them, therefore sending us on a witchhunt of sorts. Or maybe using that as a basis to deny his claim. For every one step forward, there is someone willing to push you two steps back.

Once I receive the records from Dept of Navy, I will send a copy of the CD along with a printed copy of every document, but I will also fax the docs directly to the VARO. I suspect that I will then be told that the need an 'official' copy.

I certainly don't want to get the VARO rater angry, however, I would love to include a little note in my package explaining that they requested the records from the wrong agency, therefore there has been a delay in decision due to their negligence. I wonder where would we be had I sent all that they've asked us for to the wrong agency, NOWHERE. I would have to accept all the blame on that one, but I doubt if the VARO will.

They told me that this was the only thing they were waiting on, seeing they have been given all medical records, statements in support of claim, and ptsd questionairres. Anyone have any idea what happens next? Is a C&P exam inevitable? Then what?

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!! I am extremely frustrated, however, I want to share this with anyone who may be going through the Military Service Records Search NIGHTMARE. History: 8/17 VA requested Service Records through PIES to the Archives in St. Louis. 30, 60 almost 90-days go by, and they have not received the records, and have not made a 2nd request. I was told again today that the ETA if the records is open-ended and to just keep waiting. Can't. I then called Archives myself to see if our request for the records has been received and they told me that my request had been forwarded to the Department of the Navy. Why? Because Archives does not have the records, they are with the Department of the Navy because my husband's discharge date is after 1995. It would make sense that a VA Rater would know this especially seeing they do this everyday.

So, I call the Dept of Navy, and was told that I could request the records with a simple fax, and would receive a CD within 2-weeks. Really? Really? This boggles my mind. Had the VA person responsible for gathering this info bothered to know where to look, then they would have had these records, oh say, months ago.

Again, I am just frustrated, but at the same time glad that there are still people out there that take pride in their jobs, and are willing to help a vet. God Bless to all of you that care about Vets.

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

Finally I talked to the VARO. I had to call back through the 800# to send a message for them to call me back. The 800# rep explained to me that the VARO requested the military service records on 8/17 with a 30-day return. If not received, they should have given it a 30-day extension, which would have been 10/16. Well that's since passed. There is no note of the extension request. So, my question became, is this an open-ended request? How long is too long to wait for these records before someone makes the decision to move on without them, and what specifically is in the records that is helpful? The DD-214 shows Gulf War services and a combat action ribbon, which I understood to be a presumptive. Obviously not. So, I posed these questions to the VARO rep and he explained that there is no time limit, that yes, the records request is open-ended and that it could reasonably take up to 1-year to receive. Really? I spoke with the Archives people and they told me that if we requested the records we would get them in about 8 weeks or less. The VARO told me that I should NOT request the records independently, but I did it a week ago.

I can't believe that it could take up to 1-year to transfer records from one agency to another. And they are paper copies at that. Why haven't these docs been digitally scanned? If the VA is hoping to streamline its process, wouldn't that make sense?

Has anyone else had experience in their claim where the personnel records took forever? How long?

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

So, the awesome 800# called me yesterday, however, I missed the call. I called back to see the purpose of the call, and of course, the rep had no idea. She even suggested that the local Regional Office had called but couldn't explain why the national phone number would have showed on my caller id, not the regional area code. Has this happened to anyone else??

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

Update: We have now officially passed the 90-day mark. I spoke with the 800# (which I know is pointless) on the 8th of October. Was told that they were still waiting for my husbands Military Personnel Records (now requested over 60-days), and to call back mid-month because that's when all documentation was due. No problem. Called back on 18th, and found out that they were under the impression that they were waiting for documentation from me. The VA was supposed to send a checklist back in the beginning of September, which never came, and were supposed to proceed on the claim. Somehow, the person on the 8th neglected to tell me the VA were waiting on docs from us, so another weeks worth of delay.

I did fax the checklist back to them (which I got off the internet), as well as some other forms that I just felt like filling out (dependents, etc). I also called the Military Personnel Records people, informed that it should only take 8-weeks max for VA to get those records. Also told to ask the 800# rep to look into the P.I.E.S system if they tell me they don't know the status of the records. That's their system of request, and they can look at it to tell where the records are.

Each time I call, I get a new piece of information that the previous person didn't bother to tell me. I wonder if they get their training in phases and I always end up with the person in phase I.

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

Good Day All,

Small new developments, wondering if anyone has any feedback. Called the 1-800 number yesterday (doing it about every 3 weeks) and was told that of course the claim was still being processed. The very curt rep said that VA requested my husbands service records from repository 6-weeks ago and still hasn't received. Of couse I wanted to know what they needed that for, and he said to see if there was a potential for PTSD. I thought the Gulf War-time and the CAR on his DD-214 would verify, but I guess they need more info. Also, back on 9-8-10 when I called, I was told by another rep that she was requesting a PTSD checklist to be sent to us (which we didn't receive the first time around) and that the request would take 2-3 business days to be received by regional office. Well, on yesterday's call, I learned that they haven't received that request either. We don't mind calling in because at least we know that someone has to at least look at his claim in order to answer our questions, but every timeframe anyone there has given us for anything has been way off base. Way off.

Is this standard VA protocol?

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

Thanks Everyone for the comments, just a quick update:

We did have his routine mental health visit yesterday, and it was just that, routine. Lasted less than 30 minutes, however, a new medicine was added for depression and anxiety. Just waiting for the C&P exam to be scheduled. I will post again once there is more movement.

Thanks again everyone.

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

Thanks everyone. I am very clear that the doctor needs to see him at his worse. We also have researched all of the symptoms, and he honestly does have them (almost all). And he is either currently on, or has been on in the past, the same meds diagnosed for PTSD. Our appointment tomorrow is a routine mental health exam, but i know that all records will be sent to VA comp, so we need to make the best of the visits. His psych doc hasn't really helped in her previous notes, but really hasn't hurt either. We are anxiously awaiting the C&P exam, however, I know my husband will not be able to do this exam by himself. I go to every appointment with him, and if he is forced to go alone to the C&P, I am afraid of what will happen. He is uncomfortable talking to strangers and his aggitation is very evident, even to the point of anger. It is virtually impossible for him to express himself to strangers. And that's on the meds.

I do have another question: throughout this process, no offcial questionaire has asked about his dependents or family situation. For the comp value, it makes a difference in single vet, or with dependents. When does that get noted? Is this something we have to apply for after he is rated? Will the retro pay include dependents? And, can we request UI now, or wait until the rating?

The official application date is July 16th (right after the new ruling). So its been approx 2 months.

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

To John999

He wasn't treated for anything in the service except his elbow. These mental conditions began after the gulf war, and were displayed as anger, anxiety, hyperactivity, and extreme agitation. He got in trouble a few times and busted down due to the above, however, was not treated medically. He was honorably discharged later. I knew something was wrong in the years after the service, but it took me forever to convince him that what he was going through was not normal. Finally, he saw a doc that diagnosed him bi-polar. We now feel as if that is an incorrect diagnosis, especially seeing this all started after the gulf war. With his symptoms, the civilian doc thought this was most likely, as I my husband never talked about the stressors. And, as we researched the symptoms at the time, bipolar seemed to fit. Of course now, PTSD seems to fit, due to the stressors and him never really have the totally down depression of bipolar, although he is depressed at times. The only mental health assessments have been post service. I am now concerned that the VA will gravitate toward bipolar so they won't have to grant PTSD.

I am thinking we should go to a new private psych, telling them PTDS, and have them officially diagnose. However, shouldn't we request the same of his VA pysch?

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

Thanks for the info, I believe I've read almost everything I can. Do you have any insight regarding how the previous diagnosis of bipolar will affect the claim. It is only noted in the visit notes from the VA psych along with the PTSD? And should we try to explore more into the PTSD at our next visit?

[Unsure About Ptsd Claim]

My husbad was in the Persian Gulf. His DD214 shows Combat Action Ribbon and Southwest Asia Service Medal w/bronze Star, Kuwait Liberation Medal Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. We have recently (July 2010) filed a claim for PTSD. We have received the VCAA notice, and a letter stating they are still working on the claim. We have a service rep at the VAC who told us that the next letter to expect is to schedule the C&P Exam.

About 5 years ago my husband was diagnosed with BiPolar Disorder by a private psychiatrist. He has been taking medicine for it ever since. Little did we know at the time that the symptoms for Bi Polar and PTSD are very similar, with the exception of the stressor. The private psych didn't ask about any stressors, and we didn't even think there was a connection to the Gulf War. After some research and long thought, we started to pinpoint when my husbands behavior actually began to change. This 'disorder' began during his shore duty, after his time on the ship. He has just started seeing at VA pysch, and we told her about the PTSD, but also had to mention the bipolar (which we said was a misdiagnosis) so that he could keep on his meds. We obtained a copy of his first and only visit with the VA pysch and she mentioned the PTSD and bipolar, had a GAF of 65, and stated that there were some other mental health issues. This has been requested and received by the VA Comp as well. It did not give a definitive diagnosis of PTSD. We have NOT sent any private pysch clinic notes. I spoke with my husbands previous private pysch, and he agrees that his issues are most likely PTSD, but has no notes to that effect because the stressors were never discussed, and he based his diagnosis on what we told him had been previously diagnosed. We have another VA appt tomorrow, and I am thinking that we should stress the PTSD (at least to get it in her notes).

The VAC service rep said that we would most likely get 70% for the PTSD because of the Combat Action Ribbon, but I am concerned that is may not be such a slam dunk. My husband is in desparate need of a rating because he is unable to work. He has an extremely hard time coping with life, even with the medications.

My questions are: should we request that the VA pysch give him a complete PTSD evaluation tomorrow? How does the civilian diagnosis of BiPolar affect the PTSD claim? Or, will this all be resolved in the C&P exam regardless of previous diagnosis? Should we also go to a private pysch and request the PTSD evaluation?

I have written a letter about how my husband's life has been affected by this, and also a letter from him. Who do I show these to?

We've requested other ratings as well: Tinnitus, Bilateral Hearing Loss, and Elbow.

Any advice or insight would be helpful.