ptsd Confused And Could Use Some Tips And Advice

[LongTooth]

Hi,

I have recently started the claims process with the VA (I filed an informal claim on 04-Sept-2013

I see a private therapist and have a current diagnosis of PTSD, Bipolar II, poly substance abuse.

My therapist agrees with me that my disorders are SC

I've taken the initiative already to get copies of my DD214 as well as my private medical records. Currently I'm trying to track down my records from when I was placed on a 72 hr hold in a psych ward in 2000.

My prescribing Psychologist, who puts in time at the practice I go to, is also a VA doc.

I guess my question is this. If my therapist tells me that they have diagnosed me with the above disorders does that mean that my Psychologist (the VA doc) had to have signed off on the diagnosis and if so does this mean that I should have an easier time with the VA?

I'm also concerned that I may have to track down treatment records from the Army (I assume those would be in my DD214?) Where would I look for any SMR's that I may need? I also wonder if maybe I should try and track down any relevant records from my old Unit to show things such as an Article 15 and any evaluations done that would show the onset of my conditions.

Also if anybody could advise me of what else I should be doing at this early stage to present an effective claim please feel free to advise me.

Thank you in advance for any and all help

Jason

[LongTooth]

Just an update. I had my second C&P for PTSD today. It went for about an hour, and was also more emotionally exhausting than the first one. I felt like a lot more ground got covered and I was able to clarify the previous bullshit. I still think that because I have childhood trauma in my past their still going to try and pin NPD on me. I hope not.

[vetquest]

Remember there is such a thing as service aggravated.  If they accepted you as healthy at MEPS without a waiver you were accepted as healthy.  Trying to blame a condition on pre-existing is pretty difficult.

[LongTooth]

yeah, that's the rational argument. And it's the one I keep telling myself in my frequent moments of doubt. But then if that where true, why didn't the first quack figure that out?

[Inarticulate&Distorted]

On 11/28/2018 at 10:51 AM, vetquest said:

Remember there is such a thing as service aggravated.  If they accepted you as healthy at MEPS without a waiver you were accepted as healthy.  Trying to blame a condition on pre-existing is pretty difficult.

This right here is another way to look at your Claim as well. If they want to give you the ammunition for Aggravated by Service then start building on that.

We should use all the tools available when fighting for our Claims.

Sometimes an Examiner or the VA itself inadvertantly gives these little gems to further our battles. Keep an eye out for them.

 

Once again, i just want to say, if you go the IMO route i HIGHLY suggest reading up on IMO's and making sure your specialist does it how the VA Rater wants to see it. 

[LongTooth]

The question I have about aggravation as opposed to direct culpability for my illness is If I go that route what happens to my claim? Do I have to file a new claim and lose the time, effort and substantial backpay that I've clawed this far for? Aggravation at this point seems like the government avoiding responsibility for what was deliberately done to me and I'm not cool with that at all.

I have an IMO appointment Jan 8th with a PTSD specialist with 22 years experience. I've researched the IMO angle and between myself and my attorney I'm sure we can get him to commit the exact wording needed for a victory. Or, to put it another way, for 1200+ USD he had better get it correct.

[LongTooth]

And denied for PTSD yet again. WTF is wrong with this organization...