ptsd I Wonder If The Psychiatrist Will Sign This

[carlie]

A buddy of mine just left here for his Psyc appointment.

His counselor, a MSW at the Vet Center has written him

a bang up letter of support we will be submitting soon.

All he has so far from his Psychiatrist is Progress Note's in his

Medical records.

I asked him several times if he is very comfortable with his

Psyc doc and he said he is very much so and that this Psyc always

tells him, "If I can help you any just let me know".

Well I went through all of the Psyc's notes, the Vet Center, MSW notes

and Medical records and came up with this letter (2 copies) for him to take

to the Psyc today.

I told him to ask the Psyc to read it and

1) if he agreed with it ask him if he will sign it and keep a copy for himself

to enter into the progress notes from today

OR

2) keep both copies - tweak it to his liking - and provide, at their next appointment

something that would be supportive in helping with getting his claim granted.

Now, I was not shy in writing this letter - this will show us if this Psyc really

means what he says.

11 March 2009

In regards to:

Full Name

SS # XXX-XX-XXXX

DOB: XX/XX/XXXX

Address : XXXX - XX Ave. XX.

XXXXXX,Fl. XXXXX

To Whom It May Concern:

As the provider for mental health care for this veteran, it is my medical opinion that this veterans Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and comorbid Depression(DC 9411, 9434) is more likely than not,a direct result of his two tour's of combat in The Republic of Vietnam.

This veteran often engaged in combat with the enemy as evidenced by his Military records and by his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 16F10 Lt AD Arty Crmn (Light Air Defense Artillery Crewman).

This veteran was frequently in fear of his life during combat resulting in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with comorbid depression, of which he continues to recieve counseling, treatment and medications for.

This veteran continually presents with a flattened affect, has difficulty understanding complex commands; show's objective symptoms of impairment of short- and long-term memory, has a definite decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks,shows all symptoms of depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, and has difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

In my Medical Opinion the veterans Mental Health Disabilities would preclude him from any form of substantial gainful employment on any regular basis. I feel this veterans disabling Mental Health Conditionis static in nature.

con't p.2 - Full Name - SS# XXX-XX-XXXX

AXIS I : 309.81 PTSD, Chronic

AXIS II : Deferred

AXIS III : See medical problem list.

AXIV IV : Comorbid depression, dealing with posttraumatic stress disorder.

AXIS V : Global assessment functioning 60

MEDICAL PROBLEMS :

1. Digenerative Joint Disease

2. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

3. Shoulder

4. Skin

5. Left foot

Thank you for assisting our Veterans.

Sincerely,

XXXX XXXXX - Psychiatry MD

Edited March 11, 2009 by carlie

[purple]

Luck had NOTHING to do with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was xxxxxxx raped and suffered horribly....spent way too much time in the hospital....had several suicide attempts because of it.

I'm so tired of everyone thinking I was xxxxxxx LUCKY!!!! No. I have very, very severe PTSD.

[john999]

Maurice

When you ask for a secondary condition to be service connected you have to have a medical opinion that states the nexus in 99% of the cases. There are a few conditions that are presumptive as secondary conditions for other conditions, but not that many. Cataracts for Diabetes is almost a sure thing as secondary but you still ought to have an opinion for any secondary condition. It says it in the VBM in bold type. The VA is always on the lookout for potential alternative explanations for medical conditions that are not SC'ed. They don't connect obvious dots. I am talking about the VBA.

[LarryJ]

Luck had NOTHING to do with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was xxxxxxx raped and suffered horribly....spent way too much time in the hospital....had several suicide attempts because of it.

I'm so tired of everyone thinking I was xxxxxxx LUCKY!!!! No. I have very, very severe PTSD.

WHOA!

NOBODY is belittling your rape, your suffering, your suicide attempts or your very, very severe PTSD.

They are just saying that you WERE lucky, and trust me, YOU WERE LUCKY, to be able to deal with the VA in the "short" period of time that your initial claim took.

There are MOST of us who have spent (in my case..........FORTY YEARS after my initial injury) a very long time accomplishing what you did in a "short" period of time. I realize that, to you, it seems like you had to wait a while, but you gotta be "perspectable" about this.

NO BODY IS DISSING YOU OR YOUR DISABILITY!

But, you have to bear in mind one little thing.............your injurys are bad, but there are worse, right here on hadit. Trust me on this.

[john999]

Usually the VA puts you through years of rating increases before you get near 100%. You start out with maybe 30% and get to 50%, then 70% and then TDIU or 100%. By the time you actually get 100% you are ready to retire.

[carlie]

Luck had NOTHING to do with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was xxxxxxx raped and suffered horribly....spent way too much time in the hospital....had several suicide attempts because of it.

I'm so tired of everyone thinking I was xxxxxxx LUCKY!!!! No. I have very, very severe PTSD.

Purple,

You continue to take remarks concerning your good fortunate and relating it

to your trauma.

Neither I, nor anywhere I have seen posted - relates your good fortune or luck

to your trauma.

As I have posted,

" you were one of the very fortunate to have your service connection granted fairly

and in a timely manner."

One of the biggest reasons your claim was probably granted,

"fairly and in a timely manner." is due to your

medical documentation of,

"much time in the hospital....had several suicide attempts because of it."

The highest percentage of rapes go unreported - as did mine and other members here.

You posted,

"I'm so tired of everyone thinking I was xxxxxxx LUCKY!!!!"

Nobody -- absolutely No body here feels you were fortunate or lucky by being raped !

You posted,

"No. I have very, very severe PTSD"

Everyone's PTSD is severe...to them.

carlie

[ruby]

Luck had NOTHING to do with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was xxxxxxx raped and suffered horribly....spent way too much time in the hospital....had several suicide attempts because of it.

I'm so tired of everyone thinking I was xxxxxxx LUCKY!!!! No. I have very, very severe PTSD.

Purple, no one is saying you don't have severe PTSD, but by implying that you have severe PTSD and your claim was granted because it was severe, your saying that others PTSD is less then yours.

We all suffer in different ways I "tucked it" and made a life that wasn't the greatest. I had a couple of SI attempts too but didn't understand why since I avoided the issue and I didn't discuss my trauma with anyone until recently. That doesn't make my "severe PTSD" any more than yours or yours less then mine.

My doctors have documented I am permantely disabled due to my PTSD as I have chronic "severe symptoms" PTSD.

I reported my assault its documented my claim was done in 2 months however I have other claims with this one and that is slowing things down.

I don't know why I am having a comp exam. There is nothing to deny but the percentage I guess.

I have talked to many people with PTSD/MST most didn't report it to anyone and they have no record of it and they are having to fight for what is right. That doesn't make thier PTSD less then your or there less then yours.

Your "lucky" that your claim was settled quickly and on the first go around that is all anyone is saying. Most people aren't that fortunate.

Take care

Ruby