ptsd Ptsd Or Depression?

[vistagirl81]

My husband had his compensation exam for an increase for PTSD on Monday and I am worried about it because the psychiatrist while he was inpatient was not helpful. In May my husband attempted suicide and had to be checked in for a couple of days (which turned out to be a horrible experience). The psychiatrist gave him a GAF score of 50 and states that there was a strong suspicion of factitious disorder with ailments of malingering, does appear to be depressed. There are multiple disparities and patients pt’s record, to numerous to list here and that makes me doubt a dx of PTSD. When I went to pick up his c&p exam, the examiner stated:

Current diagnosis:

Diagnosis 1: depressive disorder , not otherwise specific; Axis 1

Diagnosis 2: deferred: potential clustered btraits vs. personality disorder. Axis 2

Axis 3- medical diagnosus (to include tbi)

Axis 4- chronic pain

Axis 5- Gaf-45

Occupational and social impairments with deficiencies in most areas, such as; work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking and or mood.

Symptoms for Va rating purposes:

Depressed mood, impairment of short and long term memory, disturbance of motivation and mood, difficult in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, suicide ideation, intermittent inability to perform ADL’s including maintaining a minimum personal hygiene.

Other symptoms;

Labile mood/affected dysregulation that appears may be chacterological in nature. Veteran currently depends on his wife for daily household responsibilities including finances.

After a thurough review of the c-files, CPRS record, previous c and p exams, and response and observation form the current clinic interview it does not appear that the veteran mental health issues are reflective of PTSD. Other VA providers have also noted the questioning the PTSD diagnosis based on his presentation and behavior. The single PTSD system report on this date reports of nightmares. His report of reactions to the described harassment seem more reflective of depressive symptoms as opposed to PTSD. Depressed mood and affect dysregulation were predominant and his current presentation in report are symptoms of Axis 2 (potential clustered btraits vs. personality disorder) condition is suspected but its deferred at this point cannot be conclusively formulated in this single visit without more speculation of note.

Veteran presents himself in a way that would indicate he would be unable to obtain or sustain gainful employment at this time. He is currently in the caregiver program which facilitates veterans being dependent on his wife for many aspects of activities of daily living. It seems unlikely that the veteran would demonstrate an improved level of functioning in a place of employment.

My questions are; A) since they stated that he does not have PTSD but depression, will he lose his compensation? Will we have to start all over again and wait another year? B) Will the psychiatrists subjective statements while my husband was in treatment hurt my husband’s chances of obtaining an increase or unemployability? He saw numerous diagnosis (none of which I diagnosed him with) and stated that my husband was lying and he was doing this for almost 5 years for financial reasons (what financial reasons, we were better off before he was depressed/PTSD). C) I know that it is a long shot, but what do you all think his chances are. I have been on here enough to know that majority of you know what you are talking about.

Thank you all in advance.

[deanbrt]

I amend my statement. PTSD tied to a combat environment....

Depression on it's own is tough. It helps to have it tied as secondary to another service related injury....

[vistagirl81]

Thank you for your help, I guess we will have to wait and see what happens. My husband has many service connected injuries, that was one of them. While in service he was diagnosed with MDD, so maybe it will go back to that.

[deanbrt]

if you can show the MDD as secondary to a primary service related injury I think you can win.

Do not give up.......

[john999]

One thing for sure is that many people with PTSD are also suffering from severe depression. These things go hand-in-hand. Just like many with depression and/or PTSD self-medicate. Over the years the VA has often changed my DX, but my compensation remained the same.

[Mooshi]

Depression should be ratable. But PTSD is fast tracked. the doctor did write that he cannot work, which is good. And the suicide attempt puts the rating higher, I think. since it is already service connected he may be ok.

I beg to differ. PTSD is NOT fast tracked. I was rated at 30% for PTSD and that was years ago so how is that fast?

Mooshi

[deanbrt]

I amend my statement. Combat related to recent conflict. I was told those veterans are receiving understandable priority. On the other hand, I did read recently that the incidence of the PTSD claims in general in skyrocketing and the VA may be trying to slow them down.