ptsd Family Caregiver Program Eligibility For Ptsd Rated Sc Veteran Post 9/11

[Draggin']

I am only providing the information that show that a veteran with SC (Rated and Service Connected) PTSD could be eligible for the new Caregiver program that just started in May 2011. Others may be eligible and there is a lot more info out there! Hope this helps, I wanted to figure this out before applying with the wife.

Here's the link to where I found the info: VA-2011-VHA-0012-0001.pdf (EDIT-since I posted this, the VA has moved the information that was attached to this link, and I have yet to find it elsewhere)

Before I go further, I must say this. Although I am thankful for this benefit...I do find it backwards and unfortunate to not take care of the previous generations of veterans first. Thanks to YOU for MY freedom. Draggin'

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A veteran or servicemember is eligible for a Primary or Secondary Family Caregiver under this part if she or he meets all of the following requirements:

a) The individual is a veteran

b) The individual has a serious injury, including traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorder, incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service on or after September 11, 2001. (PTSD).

c) Such serious injury renders the individual in need of personal care services for a minimum of 6 continuous months (based on a clinical determination), based on any ONE of the following 4 clinical criteria: (Only showing #2 of the 4)

2. Need for supervision, assistance or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury is the 2nd alternative basis for a determination that an individual is in need of personal care services.

Also stated as:

Need for supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury means requiring supervision or assistance for any of the following reasons (p.26):

• (1) Seizures (blackouts or lapses in mental awareness, etc.);
• (2) Difficulty with planning and organizing (such as the ability to adhere
• to medication regimen);
• (3) Safety risks (wandering outside the home, danger of falling, using electrical appliances, etc.);
• (4) Difficulty with sleep regulation;
• (5) Delusions or hallucinations;
• (6) Difficulty with recent memory;and
• (7) Self regulation (being able to moderate moods, agitation or aggression, etc.).

d) A clinical determination has been made that it is in the best interest of the individual to participate in the program.

e) Personal care services that would be provided by the Family Caregiver will not be simultaneously and regularly provided by or through another individual or entity.

f) The individual agrees to receive care at home after VA designates a Family Caregiver.

g) The individual agrees to receive ongoing care from a primary care team after VA designates a Family Caregiver.

Edited June 7, 2011 by Draggin'

[Draggin']

If anyone who has PTSD and no qualifying physical disabilities please post your experience applying for this.

I asked some questions about this and was given the impression PTSD alone does not qualify. That's been some time ago before they started this program.

My posts below show how to use the criteria to apply just considering PTSD. This is exactly what we did. Although I do have some physical disabilities, the activities of daily living were not affected enough for those physical problems to be considered. They look at both the inability to perform activities of daily living (mostly the physical stuff) and/or need supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological impairment or injury. (mostly mental stuff which is what we used). See below for specifics, as I cannot find the detailed information elsewhere now.

And, I think I found a good link to some info it's not as thorough as the original link was, but it's something http://richmedia.onset.freedom.com/nwfdn/lmchna-6vetcaregiverfactsheet.pdf

Draggin'

[Pete53]

Draggin:

Thank you very much for your posts and I am sure this will help a lot of Veterans. Although Hadit has a lively forum for everyone who posts there are hundreds and sometimes thousands who read these exchanges and learn how to develop their claims. Our Members like you who show how to effectively manage their claim with good information help many Veterans and your posts here on very much appreciated.

Good Luck

[USNDW]

CAREGIVER QUALIFICATIONS

§ 71.20 Eligible veterans and service members.

A veteran or service member iseligible for a Primary or Secondary Family Caregiver under this part if she orhe meets all of the following requirements:

(a) The individual is either: (1) A veteran; or (2) A member of theArmed Forces

undergoing a medical dischargefrom the Armed Forces.

(b) The individual has a serious injury, including traumatic braininjury, psychological trauma, or other mental

disorder, incurred or aggravatedin the line of duty in the activemilitary, naval,

or air service on or after September 11 , 2001.

(c) Such serious injury renders the individual in need of personal care servicesfor a minimum of 6 continuous months (based on a clinical determination),based on any one of the following clinical criteria:

(1) An inability to perform an activity of daily living.

(2) A need for supervision or protection based on symptoms or residualsof neurological or other impairment or injury, including traumatic braininjury.

(3) Psychological trauma or a mental disorder that has been scored,by a licensed mental health professional, with Global Assessment of Functioning(GAF) test scores of 30 or less, continuously during the 90-day period immediatelypreceding the date on which VA initially received the caregiver application. VAwill consider a GAF score to be ‘‘continuous’’ if there are at least two scoresduring the 90-day period (one that shows a GAF score of 30 or less at thebeginning of the 90-day period and one that shows a GAF score of 30 or less atthe end of the 90-day period) and there are no intervening GAF scores of morethan 30.

(4) The veteran is service connected for a serious injury that wasincurred or

aggravated in the line of duty inthe active military, naval, or air service on

or after September 11, 2001, andhas been rated 100 percent disabled for that

serious injury, and has beenawarded special monthly compensation that

includes an aid and attendance allowance.

(d) A clinical determination has been made that it is in the bestinterest of the

individual to participate in the program.

(e) Personal care services that would be provided by the FamilyCaregiver will not be simultaneously and regularly provided by or throughanother individual or entity.

(f) The individual agrees toreceive care at home after VA designates a Family Caregiver.

(g) The individual agrees toreceive ongoing care from a primary care team

after VA designates a FamilyCaregiver. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501,1720G(a)(2)

§ 71.25 Approval and Designation of Primary and Secondary FamilyCaregivers.

(a) Application requirement. (1) Individuals who wish to beconsidered for designation by VA as Primary or Secondary Family Caregivers mustcomplete and sign a joint application, along with the veteran or Eligibleveteran means a veteran, or a service member, who is found eligible for aFamily Caregiver under § 71.20. FamilyCaregiver means both a Primary and Secondary Family Caregiver. GeneralCaregiver means an individual who meets the requirements of § 71.30.

Inability to perform an activity of daily living (ADL) means any one ofthe

following:

(1)Inability to dress or undress oneself;

(2) Inability to bathe;

(3) Inability to groom oneself in order to keep oneself clean andpresentable;

(4) Frequent need of adjustment of any special prosthetic ororthopedic

appliance that, by reason of the particulardisability, cannot be done

without assistance (this does notinclude the adjustment of appliances

that nondisabled persons would beunable to adjust without aid, such as

supports, belts, lacing at theback, etc.);

(5) Inability to toilet or attend to toileting without assistance;

(6) Inability to feed oneself due to loss of coordination of upperextremities, extreme weakness, inability to swallow,

or the need for a non-oral meansof nutrition; or

(7) Difficulty with mobility(walking, going up stairs, transferring from bed to

chair, etc.).

In the best interest means, for the purpose of determining whetherit is in the best interest of the eligible veteran to participate in the FamilyCaregiver program under 38 U.S.C. 1720G(a), a clinical determination thatparticipation in such program is likely to be beneficial to the eligibleveteran. Such determination will include consideration, by a clinician, ofwhether participation in the program significantly enhances the eligible veteran’sability to live safely in a home setting, supports the eligible veteran’s potentialprogress in rehabilitation, if such potential exists, and creates an environmentthat supports the health and well-being of the eligible veteran. Need forsupervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological orother impairment or injury means requiring supervision or assistance for any ofthe following reasons:

(1) Seizures (blackouts or lapses in mental awareness, etc.);

(2) Difficulty with planning and organizing (such as the ability toadhere

to medication regimen);

(3) Safety risks (wandering outside the home, danger of falling, usingelectrical

appliances, etc.);

(4) Difficulty with sleep regulation;

(5) Delusions or hallucinations;

(6) Difficulty with recent memory; and

(7) Self regulation (being able to moderate moods, agitation or aggression,etc.).

Personal care services means careor assistance of another person necessary in order to support the eligibleveteran’s health and well-being, and perform personal functions required ineveryday living ensuring the eligible veteran remains safe from hazards ordangers incident to his or her daily environment. Primary care team means agroup of

medical professionals who carefor a patient and who are selected based on the clinical needs of the patient.The team must include a primary care provider who coordinates the care, and mayinclude clinical specialists (e.g., a neurologist, psychiatrist, etc.),resident physicians, nurses, physicians’ assistants, nurse practitioners, occupationalor rehabilitation therapists, social workers, etc., as indicated by the needsof the particular

veteran. Primary Family Caregivermeans an individual who meets the requirements

of § 71.25.

Secondary Family Caregiver meansan individual who meets the requirements

of § 71.25.

Serious injury means any injury, including traumatic brain injury,

psychological trauma, or other mental disorder, incurred or aggravatedin the

line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service on or afterSeptember 11,

2001, that renders the veteran or servicemember in need of personalcare

services.

Undergoing medical discharge means that the servicemember has beenfound

unfit for duty due to a medical conditionby their Service’s Physical

Evaluation Board, and a date ofmedical discharge has been issued.

VA refers to the Department of VeteransAffairs.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1720G)

§ 71.20 Eligible veterans and servicemembers.

A veteran or servicemember iseligible for a Primary or Secondary Family

Caregiver under this part if sheor he meets all of the following requirements:

(a) The individual is either:

(1) A veteran; or

(2) A member of the Armed Forces undergoing a medical dischargefrom

the Armed Forces.

(b) The individual has a serious injury, including traumatic braininjury,

psychological trauma, or othermental disorder, incurred or aggravated in the

line of duty in the active military,naval, or air service on or after September 11,

2001.

© Such serious injury renders the individual in need of personalcare

services for a minimum of 6continuous months (based on a clinical

determination), based on any oneof the following clinical criteria:

(1) An inability to perform an activity of daily living.

(2) A need for supervision or protection based on symptoms or residualsof neurological or other impairment or injury, including traumatic braininjury.

(3) Psychological trauma or a mental disorder that has been scored,by a

licensed mental healthprofessional, with Global Assessment of Functioning

(GAF) test scores of 30 or less, continuouslyduring the 90-day period immediately preceding the date on which VA initiallyreceived the caregiver application. VA will consider a GAF score to be‘‘continuous’’ if there are at least two scores during the 90-day period (onethat shows a GAF score of 30 or less at the beginning of the 90-day period andone that shows a GAF score of 30 or less at the end of the 90-day period) andthere are no intervening GAF scores of more than 30.

(4) The veteran is service connected for a serious injury that wasincurred or

aggravated in the line of duty inthe active military, naval, or air service on

or after September 11, 2001, andhas been rated 100 percent disabled for that

serious injury, and has beenawarded special monthly compensation that

includes an aid and attendance allowance.

(d) A clinical determination has been made that it is in the bestinterest of the

individual to participate in the program.

(e) Personal care services that would be provided by the FamilyCaregiver will not be simultaneously and regularly provided by or throughanother individual or entity. (f) The individual agrees to receive care at homeafter VA designates a Family Caregiver.

(g) The individual agrees to receive ongoing care from a primarycare team

after VA designates a FamilyCaregiver.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1720G(a)(2))

That is a pretty inclusive list covering the qualifications. It used to be on the VA website, but I can no longer find this exact information on there. It just gives some basic info. I know I sent a copy of this to the rep who told me I had to qualify for A&A or be in receipt. After I sent it to her she then forwarded my application. I don't think it left her much of a choice.

[Tbird]

This does look like it is going to help veterans with PTSD and I so glad about that. Many times PTSD alone causes so many problems that a family member has to handle. It's a wonderful benefit for our new veterans.

CAREGIVER QUALIFICATIONS

§ 71.20 Eligible veterans and service members.

A veteran or service member iseligible for a Primary or Secondary Family Caregiver under this part if she orhe meets all of the following requirements:

(a) The individual is either: (1) A veteran; or (2) A member of theArmed Forces

undergoing a medical dischargefrom the Armed Forces.

(b) The individual has a serious injury, including traumatic braininjury, psychological trauma, or other mental

disorder, incurred or aggravatedin the line of duty in the activemilitary, naval,

or air service on or after September 11 , 2001.

(c) Such serious injury renders the individual in need of personal care servicesfor a minimum of 6 continuous months (based on a clinical determination),based on any one of the following clinical criteria:

(1) An inability to perform an activity of daily living.

(2) A need for supervision or protection based on symptoms or residualsof neurological or other impairment or injury, including traumatic braininjury.

(3) Psychological trauma or a mental disorder that has been scored,by a licensed mental health professional, with Global Assessment of Functioning(GAF) test scores of 30 or less, continuously during the 90-day period immediatelypreceding the date on which VA initially received the caregiver application. VAwill consider a GAF score to be ''continuous'' if there are at least two scoresduring the 90-day period (one that shows a GAF score of 30 or less at thebeginning of the 90-day period and one that shows a GAF score of 30 or less atthe end of the 90-day period) and there are no intervening GAF scores of morethan 30.

(4) The veteran is service connected for a serious injury that wasincurred or

aggravated in the line of duty inthe active military, naval, or air service on

or after September 11, 2001, andhas been rated 100 percent disabled for that

serious injury, and has beenawarded special monthly compensation that

includes an aid and attendance allowance.

(d) A clinical determination has been made that it is in the bestinterest of the

individual to participate in the program.

(e) Personal care services that would be provided by the FamilyCaregiver will not be simultaneously and regularly provided by or throughanother individual or entity.

(f) The individual agrees toreceive care at home after VA designates a Family Caregiver.

(g) The individual agrees toreceive ongoing care from a primary care team

after VA designates a FamilyCaregiver. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501,1720G(a)(2)

§ 71.25 Approval and Designation of Primary and Secondary FamilyCaregivers.

(a) Application requirement. (1) Individuals who wish to beconsidered for designation by VA as Primary or Secondary Family Caregivers mustcomplete and sign a joint application, along with the veteran or Eligibleveteran means a veteran, or a service member, who is found eligible for aFamily Caregiver under § 71.20. FamilyCaregiver means both a Primary and Secondary Family Caregiver. GeneralCaregiver means an individual who meets the requirements of § 71.30.

Inability to perform an activity of daily living (ADL) means any one ofthe

following:

(1)Inability to dress or undress oneself;

(2) Inability to bathe;

(3) Inability to groom oneself in order to keep oneself clean andpresentable;

(4) Frequent need of adjustment of any special prosthetic ororthopedic

appliance that, by reason of the particulardisability, cannot be done

without assistance (this does notinclude the adjustment of appliances

that nondisabled persons would beunable to adjust without aid, such as

supports, belts, lacing at theback, etc.);

(5) Inability to toilet or attend to toileting without assistance;

(6) Inability to feed oneself due to loss of coordination of upperextremities, extreme weakness, inability to swallow,

or the need for a non-oral meansof nutrition; or

(7) Difficulty with mobility(walking, going up stairs, transferring from bed to

chair, etc.).

In the best interest means, for the purpose of determining whetherit is in the best interest of the eligible veteran to participate in the FamilyCaregiver program under 38 U.S.C. 1720G(a), a clinical determination thatparticipation in such program is likely to be beneficial to the eligibleveteran. Such determination will include consideration, by a clinician, ofwhether participation in the program significantly enhances the eligible veteran'sability to live safely in a home setting, supports the eligible veteran's potentialprogress in rehabilitation, if such potential exists, and creates an environmentthat supports the health and well-being of the eligible veteran. Need forsupervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological orother impairment or injury means requiring supervision or assistance for any ofthe following reasons:

(1) Seizures (blackouts or lapses in mental awareness, etc.);

(2) Difficulty with planning and organizing (such as the ability toadhere

to medication regimen);

(3) Safety risks (wandering outside the home, danger of falling, usingelectrical

appliances, etc.);

(4) Difficulty with sleep regulation;

(5) Delusions or hallucinations;

(6) Difficulty with recent memory; and

(7) Self regulation (being able to moderate moods, agitation or aggression,etc.).

Personal care services means careor assistance of another person necessary in order to support the eligibleveteran's health and well-being, and perform personal functions required ineveryday living ensuring the eligible veteran remains safe from hazards ordangers incident to his or her daily environment. Primary care team means agroup of

medical professionals who carefor a patient and who are selected based on the clinical needs of the patient.The team must include a primary care provider who coordinates the care, and mayinclude clinical specialists (e.g., a neurologist, psychiatrist, etc.),resident physicians, nurses, physicians' assistants, nurse practitioners, occupationalor rehabilitation therapists, social workers, etc., as indicated by the needsof the particular

veteran. Primary Family Caregivermeans an individual who meets the requirements

of § 71.25.

Secondary Family Caregiver meansan individual who meets the requirements

of § 71.25.

Serious injury means any injury, including traumatic brain injury,

psychological trauma, or other mental disorder, incurred or aggravatedin the

line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service on or afterSeptember 11,

2001, that renders the veteran or servicemember in need of personalcare

services.

Undergoing medical discharge means that the servicemember has beenfound

unfit for duty due to a medical conditionby their Service's Physical

Evaluation Board, and a date ofmedical discharge has been issued.

VA refers to the Department of VeteransAffairs.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1720G)

§ 71.20 Eligible veterans and servicemembers.

A veteran or servicemember iseligible for a Primary or Secondary Family

Caregiver under this part if sheor he meets all of the following requirements:

(a) The individual is either:

(1) A veteran; or

(2) A member of the Armed Forces undergoing a medical dischargefrom

the Armed Forces.

(b) The individual has a serious injury, including traumatic braininjury,

psychological trauma, or othermental disorder, incurred or aggravated in the

line of duty in the active military,naval, or air service on or after September 11,

2001.

© Such serious injury renders the individual in need of personalcare

services for a minimum of 6continuous months (based on a clinical

determination), based on any oneof the following clinical criteria:

(1) An inability to perform an activity of daily living.

(2) A need for supervision or protection based on symptoms or residualsof neurological or other impairment or injury, including traumatic braininjury.

(3) Psychological trauma or a mental disorder that has been scored,by a

licensed mental healthprofessional, with Global Assessment of Functioning

(GAF) test scores of 30 or less, continuouslyduring the 90-day period immediately preceding the date on which VA initiallyreceived the caregiver application. VA will consider a GAF score to be''continuous'' if there are at least two scores during the 90-day period (onethat shows a GAF score of 30 or less at the beginning of the 90-day period andone that shows a GAF score of 30 or less at the end of the 90-day period) andthere are no intervening GAF scores of more than 30.

(4) The veteran is service connected for a serious injury that wasincurred or

aggravated in the line of duty inthe active military, naval, or air service on

or after September 11, 2001, andhas been rated 100 percent disabled for that

serious injury, and has beenawarded special monthly compensation that

includes an aid and attendance allowance.

(d) A clinical determination has been made that it is in the bestinterest of the

individual to participate in the program.

(e) Personal care services that would be provided by the FamilyCaregiver will not be simultaneously and regularly provided by or throughanother individual or entity. (f) The individual agrees to receive care at homeafter VA designates a Family Caregiver.

(g) The individual agrees to receive ongoing care from a primarycare team

after VA designates a FamilyCaregiver.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 1720G(a)(2))

That is a pretty inclusive list covering the qualifications. It used to be on the VA website, but I can no longer find this exact information on there. It just gives some basic info. I know I sent a copy of this to the rep who told me I had to qualify for A&A or be in receipt. After I sent it to her she then forwarded my application. I don't think it left her much of a choice.

[Draggin']

That is a pretty inclusive list covering the qualifications. It used to be on the VA website, but I can no longer find this exact information on there. It just gives some basic info. I know I sent a copy of this to the rep who told me I had to qualify for A&A or be in receipt. After I sent it to her she then forwarded my application. I don't think it left her much of a choice.

USNDW

I am so glad you have and shared a copy of that! It's been impossible to find since the VA took it down.

Draggin'

[USNDW]

Kind of strange, them suddenly taking down the information on the qualifications for the program???