Doctors Report

[JohnM]

John went to the DR. office last Fri. for a preop physical, we got his ekg and his notes yesterday, on them he put that John's depression is due to my disabilities.. Which is totaly wrong John has never been diagnoissed with depression but put on Zoloft many years before we even started going to this Dr. My disabilities didn't start until 2001 and John was on Zoloft way before then. I intend to call him on it today. he will not be in today but I intend to ask him for his reason on putting that down. and telling him we want it removed out of his file ( I don't know if we can do that and if they will remove it )

Question is will this hurt John ? As I stated before in another post I asked him if he would rewirte his letter and and the words least likely or not and he said NO! It would hampper his crediablity. John has worked on his stressor letter and that in it self was very hard for him. Now for our Dr. to make a complete 90 degree turn around just infereates me. What can a person do ( but to find a different DR.)

As I told John he was real good with me getting SSD but it seems like he has been very reluctant to help John. John got SSD because of the pain clinic and Spine DR. Our primary has not helped at all and It is for sure that he does not want to help with the VA like we thought he was going to. In the meantime I am checking on finding a different DR. ( HMO) one that know's something about VA.

He know's nothing on AO or VA compensation and I feel he is know trying to fudge.

We will be going to the VA Rep on Tues next week I'm going to show her his notes, she would not even except his letter because it was as he stated everything is from wear and tear and age.

[Berta]

Your husband needs a clear diagnosis-by a qualified psychiatrist- of whether he has PTSD or anxiety due to wartime experiences.

PTSD is an anxiety disorder so that diagnosis is as good as PTSD.

A good doctor will give him the battery of tests that show PTSD and war related anxiety-

Then he has a bonafide diagnosis which is also an independent medical opinion.

The doc would have to clearly state the diagnosis and give a good rationale for his/her opinion-

That is the first criteria -diadnosis of PTSD or anxiety-(or depression) due to combat experience

Then the VA will (or maybe not) set him up for C & P-depending on the private medical evidence.

It could be so strong he would not need a C & P, and any meds he takes for PTSD should be mentioned and also their side affects.

AT some point he will be asked to prepare a stressor letter-

it used to be part of a long form of questions

how many times did your unit take incoming,

did you witness casualties etc- I have it here but forget what it says-

they ask for the dates etc .

maybe this has changed???????? anyone have a current one? The PTSD questionnaire?

This is the second part of a PTSD claim- strssors that are identified so that they can be confirmed by the Center for Records Research-as someone here- Philip? I think stated-

they will check the reports and logs with about a 2 week leeway on the dates he gives.

I have helped many vets try to give dates-I always ask before or after TET? if 1968 involved.

or before or after the monsoons?

What was Hanoi Hanna talking about on the radio around when this occurred?

What was the latest news back in the 'world' when this occurred- in Stars and Stripes newspaper?

Did you write any letters home that a family member still has or could give testimony that they remember of any of the stressful events?

WHat buddies can be accessed via the VA or unit web sites who can help?

There are many ways to give the VA a fairly good date on these occurences which is needed in claims like this.

Diagnosis of PTSD plus proof of stressors by DD 214 or confirmation by CURR = PTSD SC Comp.

[JohnM]

Berta'

We went thru John's Doctor files and found several errors which we have asked for them to be changed;

We also found That John's dizziness was actually documented 3 years ago and they did nothing,

Also found a file from the doctor we use to have that he documented that John has had back problems for 16+ years this was dated in 2000, Also this doctor has written down that he has a history of depression which is controlled on zoloft. John has written his stressor letter, with some groosome (misspelled) facts which I didn't even know. This was very hard for him, made him very angery, told him he should take a double dose of zoloft. anyways we seen my shrink early this week and we talked about it he stated that John does have PTSD and if they would ask for his opinion he would give it to them, the only thing is he is my shrink and John sits in on my session with me. Will VA except his opinon and can we ask them to contact this Doctor? I will be giving the files that I found for his back, dizziness and also respitory.

In the mean time we will be changing primary Doctors and taking what I have found to her, and will be asking for her opinion and asking her if she would write a letter ( nexus) with the words ( at least likey as not).

[Berta]

Your doctor's opinion will have no merit at all regarding your husband's diagnosis.

He needs a personal diagnosis of PTSD with a full medical rationale from a professional with expertise in the psychiatric field and who can, by means of documentation, state he has examined the veteran, the veterans treatment records, etc, and based on these records and results 0f MMPI test or whatever- in his opinion it is more than likely that the veteran has PTSD or depression secondary to PTSD.

That is the first step and then documentation of the stressors by CURR is the second main step-towards an award of SC unless he has combat decorations on his DD 214.

Edited September 16, 2006 by Berta (see edit history)

[Philip Rogers]

It's none of my business but you might try getting him seen at a Vet Center. They can see him, treat him and give the diagnosis and there wouldn't be any cost, except for the travel to and fro. The VA also accepts diagnoses from certified counselors and psychologists. Vets Center counselors can assist in your claim and are usually willing to do so. jmo

[JohnM]

It's none of my business but you might try getting him seen at a Vet Center. They can see him, treat him and give the diagnosis and there wouldn't be any cost, except for the travel to and fro. The VA also accepts diagnoses from certified counselors and psychologists. Vets Center counselors can assist in your claim and are usually willing to do so. jmo

Don't we need to wait until he gets a rating to go to the VA center?

[Berta]

He will not get a rating without clear cut diagnosis and also proven stressors.