ptsd Ptsd

[jhilly]

I filed a claim for PTSD...I am seeing a VA Pch Doc, who has sent me to several others...all state I have PTSD...C & P says "Anxiety disorder (claimed as post traumatic stress disorder)"...someone I know says to re-submit claim for PTSD which will be a separate rating from anxiety disorder...is this true or is it the same thing???

[sharon]

If you have had your C&P exam, just wait for your rating. If they deny PTSD then file a claim for anxiety disorder. The finish line is in site now. You can only be rated for one mental condition except for eating disorders. Hang in there!

[pacmanx1]

No, this is not true. VA can only pay for one disorder within a category. PTSD disorder, Anxiety disorder, Depressive disorder , Mood disorder, and any other mental health condition falls under the same category, except a eating disorder.

Edited September 1, 2010 by pacmanx1

[jhilly]

I was rated for anxiety disorder....but I feel it should be PTSD....should I do a NOD???

[john999]

You can get 100% for anxiety just like PTSD. It depends on your level of disability.

[pacmanx1]

Can you post a copy of the rating decision, cover all personal information; name SSN, address. It will help us to help you. Are you working? have you put in for a claim for increase?

[jhilly]

service connection for anxiety disorder (claimed as post traumatic stress disorder) is granted with an evaluation of 30 percent.

Service connection for anxiety disorder (claimed as post traumatic stress disorder) has been established as directly related to military service.

service connection for post traumatic stress disorder requires a current medical diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder, a verifiable military stressor with credible evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred, and a link, established by medical evidence showing the diagnosed disorder is related to the verified stressor.

An evaluation of 30 percent is granted whenever there is occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms as; depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, recent events).

A higher evaluation of 50 percent is not warranted unless there is reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as; flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment of short and long-term memory (e.g. retention of only highly learned material, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; Impaired abstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

Service treatment records were silent for complaints, treatment, or diagnosis of anxiety disorder or post traumatic stress disorder.

For VA compensation purposes, in the absence of any particular combat awaards showing valor, heroism, or direct combat participation (i.e. a Purple Heart, Bronze Star with "V" device, Combat Infantry Badge, etc.), we need to have specific military stressors that can be verified, In order for the information to be verified, the information must contain approximate dates and unit information, as well as a description of the event.

Your military discharge documents notes that you served in Kuwait/Iraq during the time of war, therefore exposure to the fear of possible terrorist or combat related activity.

The cited VA and private outpatient treatment records, note a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive disorder. A VA report notes "Veteran recently initiated medications and feels some benefits".

The examination report notes you complained of depression. You state that you just started taking Wellbutrin and you have not received any benefit from it. The examiner noted your affect is constricted and mood "all right, I guess". Your judgement is good, insight normal, and unremarkable thought process. You complain of sleep impairment and you only sleep 3 - 4 hours a night and energy is poor. You deny hallucinations, delusions, and you have no homicidal or suicidal thoughts. You have poor impulse control and there is a history of violence as you got in 2 fights while under the influence of alcohol. Your memory is normal and you are able to care for yourself and your financial responsibilites without difficulty.

The examiner noted that you do not meet the criteria for PTSD. However, you do satisfy the criteria for a diagnosis of anxiety disorder NOS and this is the result of your combat experiences in Kuwait/Iraq.

The examiner assigned you a Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score of 70. The GAF score is a numeric representation of your examiner's assessment of your overall social, psychological, and occupational functioning. The GAF score is not the sole indicator used to evaluate disability but it is an indicator recognized as being useful in reaching a rating evaluation. A GAF score of 70 may indicate a mild impairment in social or occupational functioning.

Althouh not shown in service, as the evidence shows that you have amedical diagnosis of anxiety disorder and a verifiable military stressor, service connection is granted.