ptsd Destroyed Records

[jsdwd]

I have received my rating decision letter and am still digesting it. One of the things I've noticed is that no account seems to have been taken of psychological treatment I received for nearly four years by a private psychologist. The C & P examiner noted this Treatment, but it was not mentioned in the Rating Decision Report. I paid him cash so there is not insurance record (I didn't want psychological treatment in my files which would be available to prospective employers). The psychologist died and the custodian of his records (also a psychologist I know) destroyed records once they were seven years old. That included mine.

Am I wasting my time in trying to get the reviewer to take note of this treatment. PTSD, alcoholism and the symptoms arising from those was a primary topic of many of those sessions, but the only source for that is me.

What's the best way to go about this? I'd ask my VSO but don't have a lot of faith in him at this point.

Thx. This board is a Godsend.

Edited July 21, 2009 by jsdwd

[Ricky]

30% for ptsd with secondary alcoholism (in remission), depression and anxiety.

This is your pathway for the Cirrhosis of the liver claim so you really need to file it.

As for the PTSD - The old records mean nothing as you were rated for PTSD so don't lose any sleep over this issue. The only way for an increase in this area is to (if you have a current mental health doc)obtain an IMO in an attempt to negate the VA Doc's assessment.

For a reconsideration in this situation you will have to have new and fairly recent dated evidence that the rater did not have when he/she made the decision. Outside of that you will need to appeal the decision.