ptsd New To Hadit.com, New Ptsd Claim

[MP1980]

I have been reading this site for most of the evening and I've got a tremendous amount of help. I have a few questions specific about my claim. First some background: I had my first MH appointment after an appointment with my primary care doctor when I mentioned some of the problems I have been having (nightmares, night sweats, sleeplessness, irritability, etc.). A few days later I had a phone consult with a social worker where they asked me about 50 or so questions, not specific to anything I had experienced in service, just general mental health questions, (how are you feeling on a scale of 1-10, do you feel depressed, do you want to hurt yourself or anyone else? Etc) I was then setup with an appt with the social worker who asked the exact same types of questions, and who then referred me to see the mental health doctor, who asked me the same round of questions again. After the questions she told me that she was giving me a script for Zoloft. She also set me up for counseling with the OIF counselor. As the appointment was ending I asked her what is wrong with me, or at least what she thought was wrong. She said that I have adjustment disorder. I have a few questions. Is this a final diagnosis, or can this be changed? Should I file a claim based on this? I emailed my VSO prior to seeking treatment and they advised me that I should wait to file a claim until I have a diagnosis. I'm very confused as to what I should do. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks inadvance

[Pete53]

Welcome to Hadit

[Philip Rogers]

Welcome - I would file a claim, today. If you wait, until next month, you will lose one months of benefits, when you win. I would file a claim for Ptsd/adjustment disorder. Chances are you have PTSD. The VA seems to be using adjustment disorder to avoid the issue of PTSD. PTSD is an adjustment disorder but by using adjustment disorder, they'll probably say you're cured, somewhere down the line. As w/PTSD, I've yet to see a cure.

As to your claim, use a VSO that you trust and believe in but also monitor your claim closely. Most VSO's, I know of, claim they are overworked and rarely answer or return phone calls to them. It seems their golf game is more important! jmo

pr

[Berta]

Philip echos my opinion too-he is 100% right!

The new PTSD regulations (here in this forum) were developed a few years ago in an effort to make a service connection of PTSD easier for in theatre OIF OEF veterans.

However the new regulations Require a VA MH diagnosis of PTSD.

The VA will no longer accept any private doctor's PTSD diagnosis.

In that respect the VA took away the rights of countless veterans that VA will not diagnose with PTSD.

I did an article on the unfairness of the new regs when they were challenged in court- and it is at VA Watchdog.org.

I suggest you read over the new PTSD criteria here because it does show how to shape your claim.

It is possible you dont have PTSD too and Adjustment Disorder can certainly be claimed.

But Philip and I and others here are hard core VA claimants and feel that if a vet has PTSD that should be the diagnosis without question and then the proper medical treatment for the right DX will follow.

[Gulfvet45]

Well the thing here is that the person that told you of the AD was in a consult with a social worker and under the VA rules that does not count. You need to work on a claim for PTSD and not the AD.

Write out you stressor (the things that made you fear the most for your life in the war) write out how you life has changed, get statement from others.

Tell the truth in it all.

Tell your VSO you want to file an informal claim for PTSD. If you are seeing a Psych PhD ask them if you have PTSD. Even if you get the out side Dx you can use that Dx for your claim, but the VA will gave to still do a C&P and Dx it the PTSD in-house.

Under the duty to assist the VA is to help you too.

While the NGWRC Health Care Guide needs to update the PTSD part, it can still help you a lot.

http://www.ngwrc.org...ealth guide.pdf

Edited May 15, 2012 by Gulfvet45

[Berta]

James , thanks for pointing that out-

a social worker consult is sure not a valid MH diagnosis.

I referred a GWV here recently to your site and told them you know, in my opinion, the whole nine yards on their specific issue.

I never mentioned before but your service to veterans has been invaluable and I am very glad you give us at hadit the benefit of your expertise too.

MP 1980

Your MOS and service within proximate vicinity to "hostile" activity ,unless in direct combat, is something that might have to be carefully spelled out in your PTSD claim to the VA.

I will find the new regs and post them here for you.

Edited May 15, 2012 by Berta

[Berta]

Here is the VA fact sheet on these regs:

http://www.va.gov/PTSD_QA.pdf

Here is the new PTSD regulation info from Carlie and more info::