ptsd Psyche Exam For Ptsd

[Melancholy_Sleestak]

Hello, I have a C&P in a few weeks and have some questions. My claim has some problems. Any help would be appreciated. I filed for PTSD for personal assault for which I have no evidence and PTSD due to SCUD attacks in Saudi Arabia in 1991. I filed in 2009.

My VA psyche doctor diagnosed with Anxiety disorder Not Otherwise Specified

R/O PTSD especially as related to military sexual trauma

R/O Dysthymia

My previous private sector psychiatrist and Clinical Psychologist diagnosed me with PTSD, Generalized anxiety disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. It has been difficult for me to speak with this VA doctor, I'm not comfortable with him, but I have tried to be honest and tell him my symptoms and I believe what I have told him would lead him to diagnose PTSD.

With the new regulation in effect does it seem likely to anyone that he is avoiding PTSD as a diagnosis to derail my claim? I suspect this as he documented especially as related to military sexual trauma and that is not benefited by the new regulation. Will this be a big factor when I have my C&P or do they diagnose you there and then? Is there a way to remedy his diagnosis by appeal?

If I was to be granted a service connection for Anxiety Disorder Not Otherwise Specified or Generalized Anxiety Disorder versus PTSD will I maintain my effective date of when I filed the claim?

Does a C&P exam for PTSD usually involve taking the MMPI-2?

Thanks for any help

[carlie]

bump.

Hope others will jump in and post some reply's.

[john999]

You need evidence of some type to back a PTSD claim. You need a DX of PTSD from a VA doctor. If you were treated or DX'ed with anxiety disorder in the service you don't need a PTSD DX. I think the new regulation could help you if you get a PTSD DX.

[Melancholy_Sleestak]

You need evidence of some type to back a PTSD claim. You need a DX of PTSD from a VA doctor. If you were treated or DX'ed with anxiety disorder in the service you don't need a PTSD DX. I think the new regulation could help you if you get a PTSD DX.

Thank you for your reply.

I spoke with our chaplain numerous times but I don't know if any of that would make into my personnel file. All I have regarding anxiety is my exit medical evaluation which I admitted to:

Excess worry

Frequent trouble sleeping

As well as some additional things that may help my case:

Palpitation or pounding heart

Dizziness or fainting spells

Recurrent back pain

I have a lot of letters that I sent to my ex-wife about accidents, physical attacks, anger, loss of concentration, anger, fear of death. I hope these might be helpful.

Since my VA doctor seems to think otherwise, should I ask him why? My appointments seem with him seem unstructured and I don't know if I showed up with supporting documentation if he would just suspect I'm seeking a handout or trying to guide his diagnosis.

[Philip Rogers]

You should request another doctor/counselor at the VA, one that you are comfortable with. Those letters to your ex should be excellent, especially if they are post marked. I agree, the VA is avoiding disgnosing PTSD, these days. Also, try going to a Vet Center, if possible. jmo

pr

[Berta]

If you do get the PTSD diagnosis (I didnt understand the R/0 PTSD (rule out) part of your post-

"With the new regulation in effect does it seem likely to anyone that he is avoiding PTSD as a diagnosis to derail my claim? I suspect this as he documented especially as related to military sexual trauma and that is not benefited by the new regulation. Will this be a big factor when I have my C&P or do they diagnose you there and then? Is there a way to remedy his diagnosis by appeal?"

I guess you mean he did not diagnose PTSD as due to the sexual trauma but was he aware of the SCUD attacks?

perhaps it is best to go with the SCUD attacks as the main stressor.

The new PTSD regs are here and I will find them and post them again as they have to be carefully read and maybe this other post I recently made will help you:

The 2010 new VBM has a one page Addendum the lawyers added as to the new PTSD regs,in the packing box as this info didnt make it in time for publication of the manual.

I cannot copy the entire Addendum here as it is under Copyright law but I am sure this info will be posted at the NVLSP web site at some point.

"It is important to note per the addendum that "the veteran must have been located" either in or within close proximity of the "hostile military or terrorist activity"that produced the "fear of" this activity.

The new reg is Not a "liberalizing" rule and the reg itself is insufficient alone in attempt to re-open a previous denial."

If a veteran's PTSD claim was denied and final prior to July 13,2010 and he/she files a new claims after July 13, 2010 they should give "as much detail as possible" regarding the experience they had or were in close proximity to that led to their "fear of hostile military or terrorist activity."

But as John said any inservice diagnosis of an anxiety disorder would be a better way to claim anxiety for service connection.

Did you claim anxiety disorder as well as PTSD?

'Is there a way to remedy his diagnosis by appeal?"

[Berta]

If you do get the PTSD diagnosis (I didnt understand the R/0 PTSD (rule out) part of your post-

"With the new regulation in effect does it seem likely to anyone that he is avoiding PTSD as a diagnosis to derail my claim? I suspect this as he documented especially as related to military sexual trauma and that is not benefited by the new regulation. Will this be a big factor when I have my C&P or do they diagnose you there and then? Is there a way to remedy his diagnosis by appeal?"

I guess you mean he did not diagnose PTSD as due to the sexual trauma but was he aware of the SCUD attacks?

perhaps it is best to go with the SCUD attacks as the main stressor.

The new PTSD regs are here and I will find them and post them again as they have to be carefully read and maybe this other post I recently made will help you:

The 2010 new VBM has a one page Addendum the lawyers added as to the new PTSD regs,in the packing box as this info didnt make it in time for publication of the manual.

I cannot copy the entire Addendum here as it is under Copyright law but I am sure this info will be posted at the NVLSP web site at some point.

"It is important to note per the addendum that "the veteran must have been located" either in or within close proximity of the "hostile military or terrorist activity"that produced the "fear of" this activity.

The new reg is Not a "liberalizing" rule and the reg itself is insufficient alone in attempt to re-open a previous denial."

If a veteran's PTSD claim was denied and final prior to July 13,2010 and he/she files a new claims after July 13, 2010 they should give "as much detail as possible" regarding the experience they had or were in close proximity to that led to their "fear of hostile military or terrorist activity."

But as John said any inservice diagnosis of an anxiety disorder would be a better way to claim anxiety for service connection.

Did you claim anxiety disorder as well as PTSD?

'Is there a way to remedy his diagnosis by appeal?"

This is a good question untested as yet by the PTSD regulations.

As I understand the regs only a PTSD diagnosis from a VA provider is acceptable to the VA.This means to me that ,even if a veteran had a PTSD diagnopsis from a top notch independent psychiatrist, the VA would not consider the Benefit of Doubt (Relative Eqipoise) in weighing the evidence for and against the claim.

I spoke in person to Congressman Filner (Chair-House Veterans Affairs Committee)on all this-at SVR radio show in our SVR archives last month- as this part of the regulation seems to hinder (even eliminate) our DTA rights in the appellate process.

None of us who commented on this regulation in the Federal Register expected this odd requirement-and the first time any of us learn of a denial that does not accept an IMO from a board certified psychiatrist on a PTSD diagnosis, if the veteran has a valid and proven stressor,under the new regs-should protest by mail to the H VAC because if we lose one single right in 38 USC we have, they can start chipping away at all of our DTA rights.

To answer your question- Yes , a strong IMO from a board certified psychiatrist with a full medical rationale (and with proof of stressor) Should overcome a lack of PTSD diagnosis from a VA provider.

But Will it? that is hard to say-

Congressman Filner told me they (H VAC) are looking into this part of the regulation.

They aren't going to look into it just because I griped on the radio show about it.

They might start looking into it if affected veterans who fall under the new regs begin en force via snail mail to the H VAC ,and faxes, and phone calls to any of their Congressional representatives who are on the H VAC- asking them to.

Congressman Bob Filner

Chairman

House Committee on Veterans Affairs

335 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515