ptsd Mental Health Exam

[Leap]

Greetings everyone! It has been SOME time since I have posted on Hadit, but I have been following everyone's walk within our Wonderful VA System - - - Currently I am 70% SC for Migraines (50) Skin Disorders (30), Depression (10). On September 3rd, 2009, I filed a new claim for PTSD, TBI, Hearing Loss & Spinal Injury to my neck & shoulders. That being said, we have passed that Lovely (1) One Year Mark and would like to get everyone's input on what the Examiner's Notes Read... if you don't mind; I'll just write up what they read per the Examiner.

PTSD - The veteran does not meet full criteria for PTSD - as he does not meet avoidance criteria

But these are good things, I think...

Diagnoses AXIS I - 1. Major Depression AXIS IV Exposure to Combat & Academic Problems

2. Anxiety Disorder AXIS V GAF 60

Major depression is considered the primary diagnosis. Anxiety disorder not otherwise specified is a seperate condition and independently responsible for impairment in psychological adjustement and quality of life. *NOTE* All conditions were most likely caused by or a result of Military Service *** The doctor further states, he continues to experience depression, and so he has been diagnosed with service-connected major depressive disorder. The only change between the current examination and the previous examination is that his depressive symptoms not warrant a diagnosis of major depression, as opposed to depressive disorder not otherwise specified. Additionally , his GAF score is somewhat lower, representing the somewhat worsened condition since the last C&P Examination. There is reduced reliability and productivity due to mental disorder signs and symptoms.

The TBI, Spinal/Neck/MRI, and Hearing Exams I believe speak for themselves... at least I hope they do! But I will add the Diagnosis from my Spinal Exam to get any input from you all. Being 36 years old, the Doc, after reading the MRI and conducting the Exam stated, "No 36 year old should have these type of symptoms this early in life." Thanks Doc! I feel much better :-)

1. Degenerative disc desiccation at C5/6 and C6/7

2. Posterior Osteophyte at C5/6

3. Cervical Spondylosis ***and of course, most likely than not these injuries occured from or as a result of military service***

I know its a lot Hadit community... what do y'all think?

[*Bergie*]

Greetings everyone! It has been SOME time since I have posted on Hadit, but I have been following everyone's walk within our Wonderful VA System - - - Currently I am 70% SC for Migraines (50) Skin Disorders (30), Depression (10). On September 3rd, 2009, I filed a new claim for PTSD, TBI, Hearing Loss & Spinal Injury to my neck & shoulders. That being said, we have passed that Lovely (1) One Year Mark and would like to get everyone's input on what the Examiner's Notes Read... if you don't mind; I'll just write up what they read per the Examiner.

PTSD - The veteran does not meet full criteria for PTSD - as he does not meet avoidance criteria

But these are good things, I think...

Diagnoses AXIS I - 1. Major Depression AXIS IV Exposure to Combat & Academic Problems

2. Anxiety Disorder AXIS V GAF 60

Major depression is considered the primary diagnosis. Anxiety disorder not otherwise specified is a seperate condition and independently responsible for impairment in psychological adjustement and quality of life. *NOTE* All conditions were most likely caused by or a result of Military Service *** The doctor further states, he continues to experience depression, and so he has been diagnosed with service-connected major depressive disorder. The only change between the current examination and the previous examination is that his depressive symptoms not warrant a diagnosis of major depression, as opposed to depressive disorder not otherwise specified. Additionally , his GAF score is somewhat lower, representing the somewhat worsened condition since the last C&P Examination. There is reduced reliability and productivity due to mental disorder signs and symptoms.

The TBI, Spinal/Neck/MRI, and Hearing Exams I believe speak for themselves... at least I hope they do! But I will add the Diagnosis from my Spinal Exam to get any input from you all. Being 36 years old, the Doc, after reading the MRI and conducting the Exam stated, "No 36 year old should have these type of symptoms this early in life." Thanks Doc! I feel much better :-)

1. Degenerative disc desiccation at C5/6 and C6/7

2. Posterior Osteophyte at C5/6

3. Cervical Spondylosis ***and of course, most likely than not these injuries occured from or as a result of military service***

I know its a lot Hadit community... what do y'all think?

This all sounds good. However, what treatment have you received for these conditions. It is not always enough that the c&p exam identifies the things you mention, the rater will want to see that you've had "ongoing treatment" from the time you were released from active duty to the present day to establish the "chronic" aspect needed to award SC. You may have had treatment but not mentioned it.

JMO,

Bergie

[Leap]

Treatment is well documented, through the VA Mental Health Care System and Private Counseling as well... weekly & monthly meetings in combination with those wonderful medications they give us... plus Doctor visits every other month. I try to cover all my basis, but most importantly, getting the help I need to live with this disease... I was just re-reading the Examiner's Notes and they seem very optimistic... nothing like the initial exam that granted me the 10% which I currently have for Depression; which is named "Undifferentiated Sonoform Disorder" (or something like that)

[Leap]

This all sounds good. However, what treatment have you received for these conditions. It is not always enough that the c&p exam identifies the things you mention, the rater will want to see that you've had "ongoing treatment" from the time you were released from active duty to the present day to establish the "chronic" aspect needed to award SC. You may have had treatment but not mentioned it.

JMO,

Bergie

Treatment is well documented, through the VA Mental Health Care System and Private Counseling as well... weekly & monthly meetings in combination with those wonderful medications they give us... plus Doctor visits every other month. I try to cover all my basis, but most importantly, getting the help I need to live with this disease... I was just re-reading the Examiner's Notes and they seem very optimistic... nothing like the initial exam that granted me the 10% which I currently have for Depression; which is named "Undifferentiated Sonoform Disorder" (or something like that)

[*Bergie*]

Greetings everyone! It has been SOME time since I have posted on Hadit, but I have been following everyone's walk within our Wonderful VA System - - - Currently I am 70% SC for Migraines (50) Skin Disorders (30), Depression (10). On September 3rd, 2009, I filed a new claim for PTSD, TBI, Hearing Loss & Spinal Injury to my neck & shoulders. That being said, we have passed that Lovely (1) One Year Mark and would like to get everyone's input on what the Examiner's Notes Read... if you don't mind; I'll just write up what they read per the Examiner.

PTSD - The veteran does not meet full criteria for PTSD - as he does not meet avoidance criteria

But these are good things, I think...

Diagnoses AXIS I - 1. Major Depression AXIS IV Exposure to Combat & Academic Problems

2. Anxiety Disorder AXIS V GAF 60

Major depression is considered the primary diagnosis. Anxiety disorder not otherwise specified is a seperate condition and independently responsible for impairment in psychological adjustement and quality of life. *NOTE* All conditions were most likely caused by or a result of Military Service *** The doctor further states, he continues to experience depression, and so he has been diagnosed with service-connected major depressive disorder. The only change between the current examination and the previous examination is that his depressive symptoms not warrant a diagnosis of major depression, as opposed to depressive disorder not otherwise specified. Additionally , his GAF score is somewhat lower, representing the somewhat worsened condition since the last C&P Examination. There is reduced reliability and productivity due to mental disorder signs and symptoms.

The TBI, Spinal/Neck/MRI, and Hearing Exams I believe speak for themselves... at least I hope they do! But I will add the Diagnosis from my Spinal Exam to get any input from you all. Being 36 years old, the Doc, after reading the MRI and conducting the Exam stated, "No 36 year old should have these type of symptoms this early in life." Thanks Doc! I feel much better :-)

1. Degenerative disc desiccation at C5/6 and C6/7

2. Posterior Osteophyte at C5/6

3. Cervical Spondylosis ***and of course, most likely than not these injuries occured from or as a result of military service***

I know its a lot Hadit community... what do y'all think?

With what you just posted I think it's very favorable and I hope you get what you're looking for from your claims.

Good luck,

Bergie

[Pete53]

If you have a job will be difficult to get more at 70%. Not that you don't deserve it that is how they roll.

[john999]

I think you should get at least 30% for the depression with a GAF of 60 which means moderate depression. When you get to 70% it gets harder and harder to really increase your overall rating. I was 70% and got IU. Then I got five ratings for 10% and one for 60% and all I got was a 90% rating. It is good to get all these conditions service connected so that the day you pull the plug on employment there won't be much question about IU.