ptsd Just Looked At The Notes From The Comp & Pen For Ibs

[hedgey]

I'm so upset, I'm in tears. I didn't even look to see what the examiner wrote about my feet.

Her conclusion about my Irritable Bowel was that it was less that likely that my IBS was related to my PTSD and she attached some medical finding that said there was no concrete evidence of comorbidity.

She also said something about amplification of symptoms that could not be connected to my state of mental health.

I understand what amplification of symptoms means - it means that she thinks I was overstating my distress. All I know is that I was sitting there with cramps that were making me sweat. My DH was there and chimed in that I suffered from "tummy trouble" constantly and that it was running our lives.

So I had handed her my Gastroenterologist's DBQ that specifically stated the IBS was definitely caused or aggravated by my PTSD. I also came home and submitted that DBQ via IRIS because even though I had already submitted it back with my original claim, but the examiner didn't have it or see it in my records.

My question is whether there is any point in asking my Gastroenterologist to write a statement for me. He already filled out the DBQ, and the VA has requested my records.

But is there any hope? I have always gleaned that whatever the C&P examiner says goes, never mind that they see you for 45 minutes out of your life and they are a NP at best. Is there any hope at all that the VA might actually take the word of my MD - specialist??

:(

Edited September 29, 2014 by hedgey

[Patrick428]

Hedgy,

Don't be discouraged, as a C and P exam is only one part of many parts in rendering a decision. If your examner was not a specialist in Gastroenterology, and your treatment specialist is, the VA will generally takes the conclusions of your treating specialist. I had the similar problem with Parkinson's Disease. My Neurologist wrote what I consider an fabulous DBQ. However, the VA sent me to a C and P with an Internal Medcine Specialist. He tried to undercut my Neurologist at every step. When the decision came, the raters determined that one, I should have never sent to a C and P, as they took my Neurologist's information and treatment records over that of the C and P examiner. The decisions basically said, "since your Neurologist is your treating specialist and has been treating you for Parkinson's Disease, the C and P was not considered and we established service connection based on your treatment specialists DBQ and treatment notes. I was granted 70% for Presumptve Parkinson's due to Agent Orange.

On a side note, I did my stint as a MH C and P examiner for the VA. Often as is the case, the C and P examiner may not have read your C-file and based his/her conclusions on simply what he/she had on hand. Let the raters do their job. If they feel the C and P was inadequate, they will no doubt give greater weight to your treatment specialist.

Patrick428