ptsd Zero % After Dro Hearing For Ptsd

[Johnny K.]

Dear Tbird,

This site is an unbelieveable blessing and, after more than two years of trying to prove service connection for my PTSD, I finally found the site a couple of months ago, after my Legion Rep told me about it.

I have been married twice, most recently for fourteen years. I am a Vietnam and Desert Storm non-combat veteran and worked as a Hospital Corpsman from 1973-1992 mostly with the Marine Corps as a Field Medical Service Technician as a platoon corpsman , and as an EMT/Paramedic at Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital emergency services, and in the refugee camp in 1975 where all of my documented stressors occurred, along with caring for the sick and wounded returning to Long Beach Naval Hospital during 1972.

Last week a DRO sent me a transcript of our meeting and changed me from a complete denial status of my service connection claim to zero %. I have been treated by private mental health professionals on an outpatient basis since 1981, and by VA doctors since 2005. The diagnoses have always included anxiety/panic disorder, major depression, etc. GAF 55.

My American Legion Rep is happy and says that, now that I have recieved service connection status, we can appeal again for a higher percentage of disability.

I currently work four hours a day, five days a week in a job which allows me to have minimal contact with the public, and that helps me avoid many of my stressors.

I drive to and from work, and drive at work and, because I am on medication continuously I have few road rage incidents. I have been on medication for many years for my symptoms and I recieve them from a VA psychiatrist.

The transcript from the DRO had several mistakes in it, and I would like to correct them. How do I do that?

Also, in order to get my rating increased do I need to get a statement of employability? And should I go to a civilian psychologist, or psychiatrist-- or the VA psychiatrist (who I do not completely trust). Who's opinion would carry the most weight with the people who make ratings decisions?

One of the great Hadit community members provided me with a list describing what each percentage increment for PTSD requires, and I believe I fall somewhere around 30-50 %.

Thanks for your great heart and the help of the whole Hadit community.

Doc John

[Berta]

If I were you I would get an opinion from a private psychiatrist-

There is a specific criteria they should follow- see my topic "Getting an Independent Medical Opinion under the search feature.

They should also have the VA award letter and narrative that holds the Reasons and Bases for the low rating.And copies of any PTSD C & P exam results you have (they can be requested from the VAMC)

Any private doc has to make a strong nexus statement- such as "In my professional opinion the veteran's current disability is more than likely due to the veteran's exposure to......(stressful events, etc)in service."

Also he/she could throw in "there is no other known etiology but for the inservice (stressors ,events etc")to have caused this disability to the veteran.

A Psychiatrist would possibly give you the full gamit of psychological testing that would help them shape their opinion.

(Unless the VA did already?)

The VA gave the reasons for the "0" rating and this is what a good IMO has to combat with full medical rationale.

Edited September 24, 2007 by Berta

[Johnny K.]

Hi Berta,

So, I should go with a psychiatrist instead of a psychologist?

The psychiatrist at the VA only manages my meds. Will a private psychologist do a full work up?

The stress treatment group that I meet with has now been canceled 5 times in a row, and the head of the mental health department won't return my calls to complain. (Bay Pines in Florida)

Thanks for your input.

Doc John

[john999]

I know a few psychiatrists and psychologists in the Tampa Bay area. They helped out. I think I would see a psychiatrist because the VA gives them more regard for some reason.

[Testvet]

John I think it has to do with that little piece of paper that states a psychiatrist is also an MD where pyschologists are usually NOT MD's rofl could be the reason the VA gives shrinks more credence than pyschs

[cloudcroft]

JohnnyK,

I think your worst battle is over: It took you two years just to get SC but you did...and even 0% is good, too. Because PTSD usually only gets WORSE, not better...so NOW it's "just" a matter of getting your rating raised (as you know). But the SC was the hard part.

I believe the VA gives more weight to an MD or DO (psychiatrist's) medical opinion rather than to a Ph.D.'s (but these ALSO will help as supporting evidence to the main IMO)...so look for an MD/DO and one who (hopefully) specializes in dealing with combat vets/PTSD issues...a specialist in the field (PTSD) would have the most weight over a "general practice" shrink but they are RARE...but still, get what is available. Try to find a shrink who AT LEAST has dealt with vets before even if it's not his/her speciality.

And if you DO get an outside medical opinion, be sure to print-out and take with you -- for his/her reading pleasure and enlightenment, and in order to write an IMO in VA-Speak that will be acceptable -- the appropriate PTSD C&P Exam guideline. Preferably, get the guideline to the doctor BEFORE seeing you so the doctor has time to read through it so he/she can ask the appropriate "VA format" questions, etc....be sure the doctor understands the VA is pretty demanding in what it wants to be sure the guideline is covered. And don't forget that the all-important "rationale" for his/her opinion must be indluded.

Good luck,

-- John D.

Hi Berta,

So, I should go with a psychiatrist instead of a psychologist?

The psychiatrist at the VA only manages my meds. Will a private psychologist do a full work up?

The stress treatment group that I meet with has now been canceled 5 times in a row, and the head of the mental health department won't return my calls to complain. (Bay Pines in Florida)

Thanks for your input.

Doc John

Edited September 24, 2007 by cloudcroft

[cloudcroft]

True. But remember, shrinks first and foremost are medical doctors rather than academics, and shrinks go through a LONG period of medical training (internship/residency), way more in time and type of training than a Ph.D. does.

I would use Ph.D. opinions is a supporting role to my main MD/DO IMO(s). So the main goal would be seeking out an MD/DO for at least ONE IMO, if not more than one....unless I couldn't get an IMO that is FAVORABLE to my claim then I would think I just didn't have a case of enough merit to continue with it.

-- John D.

John I think it has to do with that little piece of paper that states a psychiatrist is also an MD where pyschologists are usually NOT MD's rofl could be the reason the VA gives shrinks more credence than pyschs

Edited September 24, 2007 by cloudcroft