ptsd Exam Results Opinions Please

[doubleD]

2. Current Diagnoses

--------------------

a. Diagnosis #1: PTSD

[X] Axis I

b. Diagnosis #2: Depressive Disorder NOS

[X] Axis I

c.b. Diagnosis #2: Panic Disorder with agoraphobia

[X] Axis I

d. Axis V - Current global assessment of functioning (GAF) score: 45

3. Differentiation of symptoms

------------------------------

a. Does the Veteran have more than one mental disorder diagnosed?

[x ] Yes

b. Is it possible to differentiate what symptom(s) is/are attributable to

each diagnosis?

[x] yes

c. Does the Veteran have a diagnosed traumatic brain injury (TBI)?

No

4. Occupational and social impairment

-------------------------------------

a. Which of the following best summarizes the Veteran's level of

occupational

and social impairment with regards to all mental diagnoses? (Check only

one)

[X] Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgement, thinking and or mood

b. For the indicated level of occupational and social impairment, is it

possible to differentiate what portion of the occupational and social

impairment indicated above is caused by each mental disorder?

[ ] Yes[ x] No[] No other mental disorder has been diagnosed

c. If a diagnosis of TBI exists, is it possible to differentiate what

portion

of the occupational and social impairment indicated above is caused by

the

TBI?

[ ] Yes[ ] No[X] No diagnosis of TBI

SECTION II:

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Clinical Findings:

------------------

1. Evidence review

------------------

If any records (evidence) were reviewed, please list here:

claims file available and reviewed in its entirety

2. Recent History (since prior exam)

------------------------------------

a. Relevant Social/Marital/Family history:

Veteran currently lives with husband ......

b. Relevant Occupational and Educational history:

Veteran reports that she has been out of work since July 2013 ........

c. Relevant Mental Health history, to include prescribed medications and

family mental health:

Veteran continues to get treatment for PTSD; she is prescribed

meds. she reports that she feels the

medications do not help. she has been getting treatment since 2006

d. Relevant Legal and Behavioral history:

none

e. Relevant Substance abuse history:

none

3. PTSD Diagnostic Criteria

---------------------------

Criterion A is met: The Veteran has

[X] The Veteran experienced, witnessed or was confronted with

an event that involved actual or threatened death or

serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of

self or others.

[X] The Veteran's response involved intense fear,

helplessness

or horror.

Criterion B is met: The traumatic event is persistently reexperienced in 1 or

more of the following ways:

[X] Recurrent and distressing recollections of the event,

including images, thoughts or perceptions

[X] Recurrent distressing dreams of the event

[X] Intense psychological distress at exposure to internal or

external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the

traumatic event

[x] physiological reactivity on exposure to internal or external cues

Criterion C : Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma

and numbing of general responsiveness (not present before

the

trauma), as indicated by 3 or more of the following:

[X] Efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings or conversations

associated with the trauma

[X] Efforts to avoid activities, places or people that arouse

recollections of the trauma

[X] Markedly diminished interest or participation in

significant activities

[X] Feeling of detachment or estrangement from others

Criterion D: Persistent symptoms of increased arousal, not present before

the trauma, as indicated by 2 or more of the following:

[X] Difficulty falling or staying asleep

[X] Irritability or outbursts of anger

[X] Difficulty concentrating

[X] Hyper-vigilance

[x] exaggerated startle response

Criterion E:

[X] the duration of the symptoms described above in criteria b,c, and d is more than 1 month

Criterion F:

[X] The PTSD symptoms described above cause clinically

significant distress or impairment in social,

occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

4. Symptoms

-----------

For VA rating purposes, check all symptoms that apply to the Veterans

diagnoses:

[X] Depressed mood

[X] Anxiety

[X] near continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently appropriately and effectively

[X] Chronic sleep impairment

[X] difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances including work or a work like setting

[X] difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships

[X] Disturbances of motivation and mood

[X] Suicidal ideation

2. Restatement of requested opinion

The veteran has a verified PTSD stressor of fear of enemy attacts while stationed in country and in an imminent danger pay area.

3. Medical opinion for direct service connect.

[X] The claimed condition was at least likely as likely as not (50% or greater)

[john999]

I think that you are looking at a rating of between 70% and 100%. A person with "near continuous panic and/or depression" cannot hold a job. You never know with rating officers. If you don't get either TDIU or 100% I would sure appeal it. Stay in treatment at the VA even if you get 100%.

John

[doubleD]

70%

[Navy04]

Great news, I could only hope that mine goes up to 70%.

[cowboys4life]

I recently had a C&P exam for my IHD and increase for coronary artery disease. Was awarded service connection RO only rated me at 30%.My heart problem was documented in service and after denial BVA cited my record as evidence for their decision. Since then my health has steadily declined my METS went from 10 to 5. During my recent C&P exam the doctor never asked me about my daily activities and how my condition affects them. He never touched me never asked any serious questions about my claimed condition. He only wanted to know about the dates of my two heart surgeries and whether or not I was a Vietnam Vet. I was diagnosed with atrial flutter/fibrillation and had a pace maker put in. In his report he stated that he gave me an exam and that my pace maker and atrial flutter/fibrillation has nothing to do with my IHD or coronary artery disease. He went so far as to say that the residual scar did not exist. What can I do to avoid the long appeal process and do I need an IMO which I can not afford. I have not worked since 2003 after second surgery per VA doctor because of my condition and only get the glorified pension each month. This doctor spent the entire hour and a half looking over my claim file, yet he says that he listened to my heart and lungs and that they were fine. What can I do

[63SIERRA]

did u have someone go with you?(witness), also have u got a copy of numbnuts report yet?

I would try to get ahold of the cp exam report, point out the errors, and write a statement pointing out errors that arent visible on the cp report and request a REOPEN. If you can find just one definite error on the exam note. BINGO. You can get a re exam. These numbnuts are supposed to be professionals. They have a scripted protocol they must go by, like a policeman giving a drunk test. they must do it correctly. They cant shine a blinding flashlight in your eyes then tll u to walk a straight line at night. same principle applies. do some digging. These CP monkeys are supposed to be QCed by a person inside the company,., who evaluated you> did you got thru VES?

iF so you can also call them, and make a case. The exam is supposed to fair, and accurate.

It seems from what im seeing the " chief" examiners are the ones that are making the " errors" if u know what I mean.

Edited December 4, 2013 by 63SIERRA

[FormerMember]

I don't think he gets it, 63S. Expecting a good C&P nexus out of the VA is an oxymoron. It would be like hiring the attorney of the guy who t-bones you in an intersection and expecting to get a settlement in your favor. Hellooooooooooooooo? First, challange the results and ask for the doctor's specialty. You'll find he's a podiatrist or an ENT guy. Maybe a proctologist. A stethoscope does not a doctor make but it worked for Ben Casey.

Edited December 4, 2013 by asknod