ptsd 2Hr 13Min Ptsd C&p Exam

[IraqVet]

Guys I just had a C&P exam for PTSD on the 17th of Nov that lasted over two hours and I was wondering if you all would look at it and give me your best guess at a rating I might get. Also if I do get rated for it should I file for TDIU as I have not been able to work for the last two yrs? How long does it take for them to give you a decision after the C&P?

C&P PTSD.pdf

[jbasser]

This is a report in your favor. I see at least a 70 and likely IU since you are on SSDI for mental issues.

Good luck and hang in there.

J

[john999]

That is one hell of an exam. I see the VA has a check list for PTSD symptoms. There is no such check list for any other type of mental health condition like that. The exam is in your favor. However, I see this type of exam as a real barrier to most PTSD claims. It seems you have all the symptoms of PTSD, but I think you were fortunate that your exam doctor seemed to like you and want to service connect you. I also see a 70% rating at least. If you are not working you should ask for IU.

[Testvet]

the exam seems to be very favorable to your claim the fact that you are getting SSD for PTSD should be a major factor in your rating but I get the feeling they will use the fact that you are not in counseling or on any types of meds against you I had a GAF score of 30 and they tried to give me a rating of 50% well they did give me a 50% award and I filed the NOD the very next day and a year later they were forced to grant me the 100% schedular based on statements from my treating shrink and his treatment notes of the previous 3 years where he had stated I was totally and permanently disabled solely by my PTSD symptoms and he felt I would never be employable again. He writes that same statement every Feb each year and he still does it he knows I was rated 100% P&T back in 2006 but he knows the VA so he keeps my treatment records up to date I don't think I have ever had a GAF score higher than a 40

you should be rated at 100% because of your SSD award but should and are don't always compute with the VAROs they may try and give you a 50% rating or a 70% or maybe even 70% TDIU and not grant the P&T status based on the fact that you MAY improve and schedule you for a review 3-5 years down the road

there are many ways they can handle this if you have a decent rater you should be fine if you get an idiot like I had you are in for a rough ride good luck PS I had 2 C&P exams for PTSD one lasted about 15 min and the other about 5 my diagnosis took 4 months of interviews and the tests I think there were about 3 or 4 of them one was really long about 540 questions some were the same question asked backwards to see if I answered them differently they play a lot of head games on those tests

[john999]

TestVet

It sounds like the VA just wanted to make your life miserable. A GAF of 30 and a rating of 50% is in the Outer Limits. When the raters want to screw you they just ignore the evidence. These exams and actual ratings hardly ever make rational sense even when they go your way.

[Testvet]

John that DRO made my life a living hell for 7 years you know that it finally ended when the BVA Judge granted my CAD claim in April 2009 now the less I have to do with the regional office the happier I am I haven't even been to it since they moved to the new building on Garners Ferry Road and I think they have been there over a year now

I hope they have my C File in storage never to be opened again until I die when my wife files her DIC claim

[MikeR]

That is one hell of an exam. I see the VA has a check list for PTSD symptoms. There is no such check list for any other type of mental health condition like that. The exam is in your favor. However, I see this type of exam as a real barrier to most PTSD claims. It seems you have all the symptoms of PTSD, but I think you were fortunate that your exam doctor seemed to like you and want to service connect you. I also see a 70% rating at least. If you are not working you should ask for IU.

I agree with this assessment. I would add a proviso that you should seek help quickly, I went on Effexor in 2008 and it has made a world of difference in my life. I think getting a rating would be great, but truely accepting that you need help is just as important.

[Berta]

I dont know how long this will take for decision but YES- Apply for TDIU NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will assume here that VA might award 70% and send you the TDIU form- Might-

but if you send it yourself (You can use a 21-4138 as cover letter and attach the form)you can protect the earliest date of entitlement when they get it.

I assume also the SSDI is solely for PTSD. ?

Have they asked you to authorize that they get the SSA records Yet? This is prime evidence also of TDIU.

I am concerned about your past PTSD denials? Were they aware of (and did they have at that time) the SSA award?

On the TDIU form check yes to # 18 and then under #25 Remarks refer them t separate page and tell them anything else that will support the TDIU finding- with this C & P you dnt have to add much at all.

My 3 1/2 floppy with the form disappeared- it is form 21-8940 at the VA web site and also here somewhere.

Keep copies of everything and get proof of mailing everything you send to them.

My assumption of the 70% is only an educated guess here, they could award a lower rate but the TDIU will come into play at some point anyhow-patable at the 100% rate of comp. The C & P examiner did the job right.This is an excellent C & P report.

Gee I failed to read the other responses here first before I even posted-

glad to see others support a high rating here too.

Welcome aboard

[Berta]

Make sure pf you attach a page under remarks that you again remind them of the SSA award.

Testvet made a good point:

"the exam seems to be very favorable to your claim the fact that you are getting SSD for PTSD should be a major factor in your rating but I get the feeling they will use the fact that you are not in counseling or on any types of meds against you I had a GAF score of 30"

That could happen for a low ball award-they used that ploy long ago to try to lower my husband's 30 % to 10% using Voc Rehab against him and fact he had just gained part time VA job and was not medicated for PTSD at all.

But he had continous treatment records with the VA shrink at the VA which employed him -starting a few weeks after we moved here from NJ and also had continuous Vet Center records from NJ- I met him at the NJ Vet Center.

VA wants to justify their PTSD awards with PTSD therapy and/or meds.

Vet Centers do a wonderful job in having a non-judgemental environment for veterans to relate to each other in.

The VA has no cure for PTSD but they do provide positive ways of dealing with it.

And only other PTSD veterans really understand how you feel in a vet center situation.

But it pays to begin a good relationship with a VA mental health provider,too, at a VAMC.

Edited December 8, 2010 by Berta (see edit history)

[marinevet1]

Yeah

My PTSD was 3 hours and 3 written Exam test Combat Exposure Scale and MMPI and PCL

of my 3 C&P exam. the Malaria was 1 hour and the audio metrices was 1 hour 30 minutes

PLus the fact of answering questions but the Psy doctor did it by the book exacty like i read

it from the Manual Good Luck..

34 days later here in Los Angeles it alreay at the rating team it went into rating 34 days after C&P

December 7th it started now to see how long it takes for them to be done

I heard it take 14 to 27 days that make it a early January completion.

Take Care

Bless have a Happy Holiday

MarineVet1

[IraqVet]

I just found out today that I have just been awarded 50% for PTSD and Agoraphobia all the way back to Feb of 2005.

My question is I am already 40% service connected and have a wife and daughter. Will they give me backpay in the amount of 50% by myself or will they include my wife and daughter 50% backpay, because they have been paying me at 40% with wife and daughter.....make sense?

[Chuck75]

What happens is anybody's guess, since the VA has been known to screw things up, and not give the veteran enough detail to make the screwup obvious.

I'd try to determine - -

What the total VA compensation at the lower rate has been paid.

What should the VA compensation have been if paid at the new retroactive rate. (Remember to account for annual changes, etc.)

Subtract the former from the latter to determine the correct retro due.

Make sure that the new compensation is at the correct rate.

I just found out today that I have just been awarded 50% for PTSD and Agoraphobia all the way back to Feb of 2005.

My question is I am already 40% service connected and have a wife and daughter. Will they give me backpay in the amount of 50% by myself or will they include my wife and daughter 50% backpay, because they have been paying me at 40% with wife and daughter.....make sense?