Confused, Ticked Off, Etc.... Intro

[wdroberson]

H

Edited October 9, 2011 by wdroberson

[Pete53]

Looks to me like you have the basis of a solid claim.

[carlie]

I am moving your topic to the Claims/Benefits Research Forum.

[broncovet]

I had to quickly glance over these posts and give an answer, as I have to go to the VA but felt compelled to respond.

I suggest you try the "Hoppy Method" of Service connection. Read this link for "How to" use the hoppy method for gaining service connection:

[Hoppy]

In my some what educated opinion I would argue that any diagnosis that was not based on psychometric testing is only a provisional diagnosis and needs psychometric testing to establish a more definitive and accurate diagnosis. I could cite BVA and American psychiatric Assoc. literature that supports the need for psychometric testing when making a diagnosis.

Also consider that you may have developed an anxiety disorder or mood disorder in the military in addition to or independent of PTSD. The C&P examiner was either bogus or really not able to make a diagnosis. There is no way to tell without psychometric testing in my opinion. The C&P examiner had the option to order psychometric testing. The fact that she deferred a diagnosis and did not order psychometric testing would cause me to argue that the exam was incomplete for rating purposes and request another exam.

If there is any record of alcoholism or behavior changes in your SMR or personnel file or treatment within one year after discharge file for any acquired psychiatric condition including but not limited to anxiety disorders and mood disorders.

Anger is a key marker for PTSD. However, there are other requirements thatare often not mentioned by veterans during therapy or C&P exams. Thus, the clinicians will not make the diagnosis. The fact that the C&P examiner and the hospital report did not cite PTSD makes me wonder if you are not going into enough detail when you discuss your problems or the doctors are not asking the right questions. They need to be able to link your symptoms of re-experiencing to the stressor you listed on your stressor letter. The stressor needs to be allowed by the VA before they will schedule an initial C&P for PTSD. Get a copy of the C&P and make sure it says it was an "initial PTSD exam". Sometimes they schedule a mental health exam excluding PTSD. It will say what type of exam it was right on top of the report.

The best place to go for getting diagnoses and statements for PTSD is the VETS center in your area. The VET centers where I live will only see combat veterans. They refer non-combat veterans to the VAMC hospitals.

Edited June 28, 2011 by Hoppy

[john999]

I can't understand why the VA does not give every vet they think has an emotional problem the MMPI except they are cheap bastards. The MMPI is the Gold Standard psychological test. How can a shrink tell you have PTSD with a 15 minute exam?

[Commander Bob]

MMPI

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Multiphasic_Personality_Inventory

jmo... I would fear that in the wrong hands at VAMC or VARO, the results of such a test could be used against a vet with PTSD. We have seen too many misdiagnosed issues connected with PTSD since PTSD first appeared in the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) circa 1980. The MMPI found it's origins in the 1940s.

Again, I am not that familiar with the revised MMPI, and I can understand how it can weed out the fakers, however, I am trying to understand how it could single out PTSD from the rest of the many MH disorders?

Edited June 28, 2011 by Commander Bob