ptsd Test ? About Ptsd

[Sharkbait]

I am looking for some answers about PTSD. I was discharged in 2006 for PTSD after 6 months of treament they labeled it as a personality disorder. I am currently recieving VA compesation at 40%, 30 for PTSD, 10 for my right knee and 10 for Tinnitus. I was never tested for TBI and I was involved in a IED attacked when my truck ran over the IED.

My first question is should I look into checked out for TBI?

If I was discharged for PTSD how come I only get 30% for it and how can I get a copy of my med. board paperwork to see what percent they gave me?

My wife is in the reserves and is getting ready to go on her first deployment she was in the reserves when I got out but has never been deployed and it is really taking its toll on me ecspecially becouse we 2 small children. I am having issues that I haven't had before like remembering things that I have never thought about since I was in Iraq, not sleeping, not being able to remember recent things and getting angry real easy. Would it be worth trying to get a re-evalluation for my PTSD?

Sharkbait

[JamesBreckenridge]

Sharkbait, it sounds like either you have symptoms of a TBI, or your symptoms of PTSD are worsening, and you should file a claim for an increase in your PTSD.

Here are the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation of PTSD:

Occupational and social impairment withreduced reliability and

productivity due to such symptomsas: flattened affect; circumstantial,

circumlocutory, or stereotypedspeech; panic attacks more than once

a week; difficulty in understandingcomplex commands; impairment

of short- and long-term memory(e.g., retention of only highly learned

material, forgetting to completetasks); impaired judgment; impaired

abstract thinking; disturbances ofmotivation and mood; difficulty in

establishing and maintainingeffective work and social relationships

Just tell the doctor the same things you've told us.

I was given a total of 40% from the VA in Jan, 2007, 30% for PTSD, 10% Knee and 10% Tinnitus. I am going to try and be seen for TBI and for my left ankle. I have documentation in my Med. Records of my ankle. As for the Lawsuit I think I am past the opt-in date. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Sharkbait]

Does it matter that I have not seen a VA Doc for the PTSD. I have been seeing one coverd under my Insurance about every three to five weeks. What is the process like for getting re-evaluated? It has been over three years since I was granted VA compensation for my PTSD.

[JamesBreckenridge]

No, it doesn't matter. Get copies of your treatment records from the private doctor. If an increase is warranted based on those records alone, we can actually grant an effective date of up to a year prior to your date of claim based on private treatment records. It's rare, but it happens.

Highlight and tab whatever in there shows a worsening of your symptoms. Send us that, keep copies for yourself, and include a letter saying that you think your PTSD symptoms have worsened, and that this is all the evidence you have, please set you up for a C&P examination.

You should be set up for a C&P exam within a couple of weeks I would think. As a single-issue claim for increase case that doesn't require a lot of development, it's about as fast moving as it's possible for a claim to be. When you get a decision depends on your local office, and whether they're working in strict date of claim order, or if they're working their newer fast moving stuff to keep their production up while they trudge through the multi issue multi volume dog cases.

Does it matter that I have not seen a VA Doc for the PTSD. I have been seeing one coverd under my Insurance about every three to five weeks. What is the process like for getting re-evaluated? It has been over three years since I was granted VA compensation for my PTSD.

Edited July 29, 2010 by JamesBreckenridge

[Sharkbait]

The county I live in has a Veterans Office that helps file all of your paperwork for you they are not employed by the VA but by our County. I have a app. with them next friday morning to get the paperwork in order and start the ball rolling on my PTSD getting worse and possible TBI also for my ankle. They are very helpful and I think they did a great job the last time. I was also woundering how the rating for TBI works are will they just try to say its my PTSD getting worse.

I really appreciate all of the advice everyone is giving me you guys are very helpful. I have never had enyone explain any of this to me.

[Commander Bob]

No, it doesn't matter. Get copies of your treatment records from the private doctor. If an increase is warranted based on those records alone, we can actually grant an effective date of up to a year prior to your date of claim based on private treatment records. It's rare, but it happens.

Highlight and tab whatever in there shows a worsening of your symptoms. Send us that, keep copies for yourself, and include a letter saying that you think your PTSD symptoms have worsened, and that this is all the evidence you have, please set you up for a C&P examination.

You should be set up for a C&P exam within a couple of weeks I would think. As a single-issue claim for increase case that doesn't require a lot of development, it's about as fast moving as it's possible for a claim to be. When you get a decision depends on your local office, and whether they're working in strict date of claim order, or if they're working their newer fast moving stuff to keep their production up while they trudge through the multi issue multi volume dog cases.

Your excellent advise is concise. It is notable, and will help many vets. Thanks.