ptsd Ptsd C&p Results - What Are Your Thoughts?

[c5marine]

Hello,

I have received my C&P exam results following the completion of my entire claim. They stated service connection for PTSD was denied as it did not occur in nor caused by the service. An overview of my claim is below. They did diagnosis me with anxiety disorder, AND link it to military service, however, did not rate it at all (not even 0%).

I am lost know as to next steps. Should I ask for a disagreement/another review based on the anxiety, or should I go PTSD? I feel the competency of the doctor I went to was not high as some of the notes in the file were not accurate and contradicted one another some times (ex. I find it interesting that my 2 stressors did not quality as meeting the criterion). I am working with a VSO now, but would like some 3rd party opinion as well from you guys. Thanks for the help.

1. Diagnostic Summary

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

Does the Veteran have a diagnosis of PTSD that conforms to DMS-5 criteria

based on today's evaluation?

[] Yes [X ] No

2. Current Diagnoses

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

a. Mental Disorder Diagnosis #1: Anxiety Disorder

3. Differentiation of symptoms

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

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

[] Yes [X ] No

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

each diagnosis?

[] Yes [ ] No [ X] Not applicable (N/A)

If yes, list which symptoms are attributable to each diagnosis:

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

[ ] Yes [ ] No [X] Not shown in records reviewed

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 due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by medication

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 [] No [ X] 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:

-----------

Clinical Findings:

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

1. Evidence review

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

In order to provide an accurate medical opinion, the Veteran's claims folder

must be reviewed.

a. Medical record review:

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

Was the Veteran's VA e-folder (VBMS or Virtual VA) reviewed?

[X] Yes [ ] No

Was the Veteran's VA claims file reviewed?

[X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, list any records that were reviewed but were not included in the

Veteran's VA claims file:

If no, check all records reviewed:

[ ] Military service treatment records

[ ] Military service personnel records

[ ] Military enlistment examination

[ ] Military separation examination

[ ] Military post-deployment questionnaire

[ ] Department of Defense Form 214 Separation Documents

[ ] Veterans Health Administration medical records (VA treatment

records)

[ ] Civilian medical records

[ ] Interviews with collateral witnesses (family and others who have

known the Veteran before and after military service)

[ ] No records were reviewed

[ ] Other:

b. Was pertinent information from collateral sources reviewed?

[ ] Yes [X] No

2. History

----------

a. Relevant Social/Marital/Family history (pre-military, military, and

post-military):

Removed for identity purposes.

3. Stressors

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

a. Stressor #1: Helo incident in Iraq (shortened for identify purposes)

Does this stressor meet Criterion A (i.e., is it adequate to support

the diagnosis of PTSD)?

[] Yes [X ] No

Is the stressor related to the Veteran's fear of hostile military or

terrorist activity?

[X] Yes [ ] No

Is the stressor related to personal assault, e.g. military sexual

trauma?

[ ] Yes [X] No

b. Stressor #2: Incoming fire incident (shortened for identify purposes)

Does this stressor meet Criterion A (i.e., is it adequate to support

the diagnosis of PTSD)?

[] Yes [X ] No

Is the stressor related to the Veteran's fear of hostile military or

terrorist activity?

[X] Yes [ ] No

Is the stressor related to personal assault, e.g. military sexual

trauma?

[ ] Yes [X] No

4. PTSD Diagnostic Criteria

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

Please check criteria used for establishing the current PTSD diagnosis. Do

not mark symptoms below that are clearly not attributable to the criteria A

stressor/PTSD. Instead, overlapping symptoms clearly attributable to other

things should be noted under #6 - other symptoms. The diagnostic criteria

for PTSD, referred to as Criteria A-H, are from the Diagnostic and

Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DMS-5).

Criterion A: Exposure to actual or threatened a) death, b) serious

injury,

c) sexual violatrion, in one or more of the following ways:

[ ] Directly experiencing the tramuatic event(s)

[ ] Witnessing, in person, the traumatic event(s) as they occurred to

others

Criterion B: Presence of (one or more) of the following intrusion

symptoms

associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the

traumatic event(s) occurred:

[ X] Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the events

[ X] Recurrent distressing dreams in which the content and/or affect of

the dream are related to the traumatic event(s).

[] Intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to

internal

or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the

traumatic event(s).

[] Marked physiological reactions to internal or external cues that

symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s).

Criterion C: Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the

traumatic

event(s), beginning after the traumatic events(s) occurred,

as evidenced by one or both of the following:

[X] Avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts,

or

feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s).

[ ] Avoidance of or efforts to avoid external reminders (people,

places, conversations, activities, objects, situations) that

arouse

distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely

associated with the traumatic event(s).

Criterion D: Negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with

the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the

traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two (or more)

of

the following:

[ ] Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant

activities.

[X] Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others.

[ ] Persistent inability to experience positive emotions (e.g.,

inability to experience happiness, satisfaction, or loving

feelings.)

Criterion E: Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity associated with

the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the

traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two (or more)

of

the following:

[ ] Irritable behavior and angry outbursts (with little or no

provocation) typically expressed as verbal or physical aggression

toward people or objects.

[ ] Hypervigilance.

[ ] Problems with concentration.

[ ] Sleep disturbance (e.g., difficulty falling or staying asleep or

restless sleep).

Criterion F:

[X] Duration of the disturbance (Criteria B, C, D, and E) is more than

1 month.

Criterion G:

[ ] The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or

impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of

functioning.

Criterion H:

[X] The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects

of

a substance (e.g., medication, alcohol) or another medical

condition.

5. Symptoms

-----------

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

diagnoses:

[X] Depressed mood

[X] Anxiety

[ ] Suspiciousness

[ ] Panic attacks that occur weekly or less often

[ ] Chronic sleep impairment

[ ] Mild memory loss, such as forgetting names, directions or recent

events

[ ] Flattened affect

[X] Difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or work like setting

6. Behavioral Observations

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

7. Other symptoms

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

Does the Veteran have any other symptoms attributable to PTSD (and other

mental disorders) that are not listed above?

[ ] Yes [X ] No

If yes, describe:

8. Competency

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

Is the Veteran capable of managing his or her financial affairs?

[X] Yes [ ] No

9. Remarks, if any

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

Anxiety disorder is linked to in service stressors

Veteran did not have any anxiety symptoms before military experience in Iraq.

NOTE: VA may request additional medical information, including additional

examinations if necessary to complete VA's review of the Veteran's

application.

[Navy04]

It looks like they denied PTSD, but granted Anxiety Disorder and more than likely at 10% SC. Good luck and keep us posted

[c5marine]

Thanks for the reply. The final claim came back and they did not rate anything (not even 0%, anxiety or PTSD). This is what is confusing me. Did they miss something and should I have a case to appeal or file a request for another review?

[Navy04]

You can always appeal anything. You just have to make sure you have the Diagnoses from Active Duty or from the VA, and you have to have the treatment records to verify what you are challenging.