Use Of Civilian Phyciatrists

[kookiebean2001]

Anyone use a phyciatrist in a non post tramatic stress syndrome claim. Attorney says with my lack of sight, I would be surprised how much it effects other different areas of my life (for example my vision problems effect my social skills, learning, playing sports, etc.) My attorney wants to use a phyciatrist to help further my claim. I said ok until the phyciatrist quoted me $1500.00. Not sure if it's a waste of time and money.

Please no negative feedback necessary !

[Pete53]

You hired an attorney who is giving advse to get an Independent Medical Opinion $ 1500 sounds expensive maybe you should look around and see if you can get someone for less. If it was me I would ask the Doc if he would take payments that were affordable.

I paid 350 for mine in 1992 and he let me pay it out over 3 months.

Sometimes finding a Doctor is the hardest part. If it were me I would belly up to the bar and pay for the opinion.

Good Luck

[MARINEVET]

Hello Kookiebean. Yes, I have used a non VA phyciatrist in a non post tramatic stress syndrome claim. This psychiatrist had treated me for the 3 years previous to my request for an IMO for Major Recurrent Depression. I was not charged a fee for the IMO but did pay the required insurance deductables throughout treatment. Since the BVA remanded my case with a request for a C&P examination its my opinion the IMO did not help much. I completed the required C&P examination in October 2008. Now its back to the waiting game.

[ltate90]

IS IT BETTER TO USE A CIVILIAN PSYCHIATRIST OR ONE FROM THE VA. IT SEEMS LIKE MY PSYCHIATRIST FROM THE VA DOESN'T WANT TO HELP IN SSDI CLAIM. SO IS IT BETTER TO USE A CIVILIAN BECAUSE THE VA FEE BASE ME TO USE A CIVILIAN PSYCHIATRIST FOR TWO SESSIONS A MONTH FOR SIX MONTHS AND STILL GO TO COUNSELING AT THE VA.

[john999]

I would not hire a lawyer if I was going to second guess him. If he says a shrink will help he is probably right. Now as far as the cost that you can negotiate. Lawyers who have experience with VA claims just like SSD claims know how the system works. That is what you are paying for is their knowledge of the system. Yes, in my opinion a civilian shrink who knows what he is doing regarding VA claims is better because you can control his input to some extent. With VA you can't. He might put something in the record that could hurt your claim. I won my mental claim using all civilian shrinks (three of them). VA shrinks were most unhelpful.

[MARINEVET]

I agree with Itate90. The civilian pyschiatrist's IMO was used to obtain my SSDI. It was approved on the first try and within 4 months of application. Since becoming 100% SSDI I see a VA psychiatrist.

IS IT BETTER TO USE A CIVILIAN PSYCHIATRIST OR ONE FROM THE VA. IT SEEMS LIKE MY PSYCHIATRIST FROM THE VA DOESN'T WANT TO HELP IN SSDI CLAIM. SO IS IT BETTER TO USE A CIVILIAN BECAUSE THE VA FEE BASE ME TO USE A CIVILIAN PSYCHIATRIST FOR TWO SESSIONS A MONTH FOR SIX MONTHS AND STILL GO TO COUNSELING AT THE VA.

[ltate90]

MARINEVET,

HOW DID YOUR CIVILIAN PSYCHIATRIST HELP YOU OUT. I WILL BE SEEING ONE IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO. WAS IT EASY FOR YOUR CIVILIAN DR. TO WRITE LETTERS PERTAINING TO YOUR LIMITATIONS AND DID YOU GET THEM TO FILL OUT A RESIDUAL FUNCTIONAL CAPICITY FORM (RFC). IT SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE TO BREAK THE VA NECK TO GET SOMETHING WRITTEN OUT IN YOUR PROGRESS NOTES. HELP ME OUT ON THIS SUBJECT, IT SEEMS LIKE I'LL BE WAITING A WHILE B4 I GET TO SEE A ALJ. ANY ADVICE YOU HAVE OR ANY OTHER MEMBER HAVE WILL HELP OUT THE CAUSE.