ptsd Ptsd C&p Exam Within Va Clinic Where He Is A Patient.

[Kimmy]

My husband got a call yesterday from a VA person to review the items in his claim. She was in the process of ordering his C&P exams. She told him that the PTSD exam would be in the same clinic at the VA where he currently goes for treatment. Background: He was formally diagnosed in the past year and has attended the 10 week PTSD group sessions, the 6 week Anger Management sessions and is now in one on one counseling with his doctor who he is pretty comfortable with. He was in college thru VocRehab as a result of service connected bilateral knee injuries. However, he has had to drop out because problems with focus & memory, panic attacks and other anxiety issues all related to PTSD. For the other exams she said he would get the QTC info thru the mail. He got so worked up after this that he had a terrible panic attack last night. He said his mind was racing just thinking that all of a sudden his claim was moving. Quick change is hard for him.

We are thinking that is a good thing that he is going to his same clinic (less stress for him) since they have plenty of documentation on him. Any thoughts?

Edited August 21, 2014 by Kimmy

[georgiapapa]

In my opinion, this should work in his favor. If the examining doctor has any additional questions or needs further clarification after the C & P exam, they could probably confer with his regular clinical doctor. Unless the clinical doctor thinks he is faking his PTSD symptoms, he should be alright. Just my opinion.

[Navy04]

Sounds like a good thing to me.

[Berta]

"He was in college thru VocRehab as a result of service connected bilateral knee injuries. However, he has had to drop out because problems with focus & memory, panic attacks and other anxiety issues all related to PTSD. "

If this is documented by his Voc Rehab counselor, this is good evidence for future TDIU.

[Kimmy]

Yes, Berta - it is documented by the VocRehab counselor. I will keep you guys posted. Thanks for all of the encouragement and support.

[Berta]

Make sure VA has that Voc Rehab info Kimmy.

I realized after continuing my husband's claim for higher rating of his PTSD ,pending when he died ,that the VA Voc Rehab records are not part of the VA medical records at all.

I dont think I even mentioned them to VA because at that time the Voc Rehab Counselor had written to him that his NSC stroke prevented further Voc Rehab. His other evidence warranted a posthumous 100% P & T award for PTSD.

But in 2012 I proved his NSC stroke was a 1151 stroke and they awarded for that under 1151 , but forgot about 15 more months of the 100% and I have a claim pending on that presently.

VA pays 100% for 6 months for major CVAs, SC, or 1151, but then rates the residuals.

Along with SSA records, Voc Rehab records,(by then I had obtained them and sent them to VA) student loan waiver, etc etc. the evidence reveals that he was P & T at 100% due to the stroke from 1992, up until his death 12 tears later.

100% 1151 awards, if in addition to direct SC 100% awards ,which he had, require a separate compensation benefit for the 1151 disability.

And regardless of any VA rating, if the evidence warrants TDIU or 100% , VA should grant it.

My husband was only 30% SC for PTSD when he died.

It added up to about 230% SC plus SMC S after he died.

The VA could not rate his DMII from AO at all, or pay for it because they never diagnosed or treated it. But they did award it as contributing to his death.

I don't care about the lack of rating or retro on that because that was the only award that gave me some Peace over his wrongful death.

Edited August 22, 2014 by Berta

[Kimmy]

What document would he get back from the VocRehab counselor? Right now I think he just has emails back and forth with her acknowledging his issues. What should he ask for?