ptsd Has Anyone Had A Ptsd Exam With A Civilian Dr. For Ssdi?

[Navy04]

Received a letter today informing me that in Feb I have a PTSD evaluation with a Civilian Dr. for my SSDI claim. Now why would they send me to a Civilian Dr. when I have been diagnosed with PTSD for 5 years by 5 military DRs, 3 months in Civilian Mental Hospital, and I am currently being treated by VA with multiple Meds and going to 16 week PTSD Trauma Treatment. I am so nervous, I can not stand a VA C&P, yet here I go with Civilian Docs. I know that some hate the Military and others have a lot of respect for Veterans. I am just so nervous and want to be done with all this crap. Sorry for rambling on guys.

[Loose Cannon]

I went and applied for SSDI on my 50% disability for PTSD. I was told straight up once I sat down with the interviewer that I made to much money. I never got a chance to say anything except BS. never looked at my VA report. so good luck with yours

I think they may be confused. Hope this link clarifies SSDI eligibility requirements for you and that you go back and raise the BS flag with the person at SS who told you that info!

http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dqualify.htm

Never give up!

LC

Edited January 3, 2014 by Loose Cannon

[stillhere]

NAvy04 you say in your first post you have been DXed by VA for 5 years then you say you were DX since last year? You might be getting a little confused but wanted to point that out.

In any case I too questioned why the SSA wanted me to see their shrink but I went and I was approved in less than 4 months but I was 60 years old at the time too.

Stillhere

[Navy04]

Stillhere,

I was half out of it, when I wrote the original topic. I was diagnosed with PTSD by a field Doc while in Afghanistan in 2009. Diagnosed in 2010 in DC by Navy Doc, 2011 by Navy Doc in New Orleans, 2012 by Civilian DRs while in Mental Hospital in New Orleans, spent 3 months there, and be VA Docs last year after I was Medically Retired in Feb 2013. What I meant to say is that I have been going to the VA since last year after I retired. I go to Trauma treatment at VA weekly and I am on 6 mental health medications. Point being that I have been diagnosed with PTSD along with other Mental Issues for years, yet the Dang VA and SSDI requires us to keep going to Psych Docs and we have to act like Lawyers and prove our health issues every time. I am so nervous because the SSDI Doc called me the other day and my Mental appointment has been changed to next Monday 1/13/2013. My wife is going to drive me, but Doc said she will not be allowed in room for my examination, WTH. Just tired of us having to go thru all this crap. Thanks guys for all your words. Hope you guys have a safe weekend.

[AmicusBrief]

Navy04,

I hope your exam went well. I had mine last year and the examiner was great. She spent 1.5 hours with me, was very professional, and put me at ease. At the end of the exam she told me that it was her opinion my PTSD prevented me from working. About 2 weeks later SS denied my benefits. I appealed the decision and the time is coming for my administrative hearing. When I first received the denial I requested a copy of her report with SS. They adamantly refused to give me the report and one of their staff stated I was too mentally ill to read it. I couldn't believe the irony, too mentally ill to read my own exam results but not to ill to work. It took threatening to sue in federal court for them to disclose the report. When I did get the report it was concise and clearly stated I couldn't work due to my PTSD. Its all in the hands if my attorney now and he is confident they have to serious problems with the denial. Hopefully you don't have the same path that I followed.

[Navy04]

Thanks Guys,

I had the SSDI Exam on Monday. I was very nervous but it actually went well. The Doc gave me a few sheets with questions to fill out about my Symptoms and what I did and went while in the Navy. I was with him for about 2 hours, broke down about 5 or 6 times due to having to rehash my Combat Experiences, but the Doc was very understanding. He told me the SSA had no business wasting his time, due to the fact that I have had these Mental Conditions for 5 years and well documented. He told me to be patient, honest, and lets start from the beginning. I actually told him I was very embarrassed to have to apply for SSDI, as I am well educated and was used to making good money. He seemed to act like he understood. The Doc has only seen a handful of Vets in his 30 years of experience. He came off like the type that has a lot of respect for the Military. Thank God that is over. He finished with saying that he agrees with the other Docs diagnoses of my conditions, and that he will submit the report. He also that even though he agrees with the findings, his report is only a small part of the SSDI process. I am used to getting low balled, as the rest of you are. I hope my Physical Exam in Feb goes as smooth. Thanks again guys and hope you have a good weekend.

[Motherof3]

I have been denied SSD twice with 50% PTSD. Now 100% P&T. Waiting on Hearing, praying for decision based on 100%. Fired Binder&Binder. Totally worthless in my case.