ptsd Possibly Dumb Questions About The Process

[mcarter985]

Good Morning,

I have an appointment at the end of this month at the VA hospital to attend a PTSD clinic where I think I start the process of getting my initial diagnosis for PTSD. The appointment, I'm told, will take 3-4 hours. That's all I know about it. So, a couple of questions...

1) Can I expect a diagnosis right away (if I have it)? I have no doubt I do (medic in Viet Nam in 1969-70). It seems I need a diagnosis before going to the local Vet Center or VA hospital for treatment.

2) I see a lot of posts where vets go through multiple C & Ps. Is this normal?

3) Finally, I intend to finally get treatment but will the VA wait for a C & P until there is a history of treatment?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

[Navy04]

Sorry to hear of your troubles bud. If you are asking if you will be diagnosed with PTSD, I think so in my opinion, as I am SC at 70% for PTSD. Once given a diagnoses, then submit a claim for PTSD, and I think it will be granted. Now at what %, don't know bud. Good luck and keep us posted

[mcarter985]

Sorry to hear of your troubles bud. If you are asking if you will be diagnosed with PTSD, I think so in my opinion, as I am SC at 70% for PTSD. Once given a diagnoses, then submit a claim for PTSD, and I think it will be granted. Now at what %, don't know bud. Good luck and keep us posted

Thanks US VET. How long did the process take for you?

[georgiapapa]

1). Usually you are diagnosed after completing the initial evaluation. As a medic who served in a combat unit, you should have no problem being diagnosed with PTSD.

2). If you have multiple conditions, it is not unusual to undergo multiple C & P exams. If you have a medical condition become worse and file a request for an increased disability rating, you will usually receive another C & P exam.

3). No. Once you enroll in the VA healthcare system, you can start receiving treatment for your diagnosed PTSD. In fact, you will need these treatment records to show the level of disability when you file your claim. NOTE: You have to be diagnosed by a VA doctor for a successful PTSD claim.

Good luck to you and thank you for your service.

[mcarter985]

1). Usually you are diagnosed after completing the initial evaluation. As a medic who served in a combat unit, you should have no problem being diagnosed with PTSD.

2). If you have multiple conditions, it is not unusual to undergo multiple C & P exams. If you have a medical condition become worse and file a request for an increased disability rating, you will usually receive another C & P exam.

3). No. Once you enroll in the VA healthcare system, you can start receiving treatment for your diagnosed PTSD. In fact, you will need these treatment records to show the level of disability when you file your claim. NOTE: You have to be diagnosed by a VA doctor for a successful PTSD claim.

Good luck to you and thank you for your service.

Thanks Georgiapops! I do have a heart condition (had a heart attack in May) that I was just rated for 60%...probably caused by a mix of Agent Orange and PTSD. I'm happy with the 60% and just want to keep things simple (and possibly faster).

Don't know why my response was in the "quote" box. Probably an operator error!

Edited October 5, 2014 by mcarter985 (see edit history)

[Navy04]

My case is different, as I was Medically Retired last year for Crohn's and PTSD along with TBI. I was SC a few months after I was Retired.

[Gastone]

MC: I was DX PTSD by VA 2010. Saw an outside PTSD Psychologist for 4 months in summer of 08, ran out of $'s. My VA primary Care Dr asked me on numerous occasions questions about PTSD Symptoms in 09, but never really made a DX. Early 2010 a VA Sleep Department Clinician told me after 3 sessions that he thought I had PTSD and to go see my Primary care and get into a PTSD program. Did 1 questionnaire with PC DR,referred to Mental health Dept for another questionnaire. The Mental health Nurse that administered the questionnaire asked me if I wanted group therapy or to see a Psychiatrist. I opted for the group and within a month or two I filed a PTSD claim.

I have only seen 1 VA Psychiatrist and that was at my PTSD C&P that took place around 05/2010. 11/2 hr exam, at end I asked if I had PTSD, he said yes and that was it. Compared what I could remember about the exam questions and my answers against the 38 CFR 4. Figured I would come in at about 50%. I was surprised when I was rated at 70% SC. Continued with the PTSD group meeting till end of 2013. The general consensus among the Mental Heath clinicians at the VA is that long term PTSD isn't going to be cured in us old dogs. Way to many years living with it. They want to help us understand and hopefully be able to cope with the symptoms. Turns out it's not just the Vet but also his family that suffer the symptoms of PTSD.

After you finally have your C&P, about a week later pull the C&P exam report (DBQ) from your VA Hospital Medical records Dept. Ask for all the clinician notes associated with the PTSD C&P.

Good Luck

Semper Fi

Gastone

[NavyWife]

Have u filed your claim for PTSD yet?

[mcarter985]

Have u filed your claim for PTSD yet?

No and I know I should (since the claim date marks the start of compensation) but I'm having a bit of a hard time starting all of the forms my VSO gave me. I don't like revisiting that period of my life. I'm taking off a few days this week and my goal is to start it up.

[NavyWife]

No, please don't rush filing your claim.

It is MUCH, MUCH more important To get all the evidence together for a solid claim so hopefully you will be approved on your first try.

Many veterans try to rush filing it to save that elusive claim date, only to submit a half ass claim and get denied, and wait in appeals for three years or more.

There are two ways you can save your claim date right now.

If you have an E benefits premium accounts you can click the link that says "apply for benefits". There you can start a claim for disability compensation. Get the claim started and save your date, BUT DO NOT CLICK SUBMIT YET.

The second way is to tell your VSO, if you have one, to send a letter to the regional office, That you intend to file a claim and would like to save your effective date. Make sure he gives you a copy of this letter. Then you would keep a copy for yourself and send a copy to the regional office along with your claim package.

Either of these options will save your claim effective date, but not actually submit your claim, giving you time to get your evidence together. They go by the month and year, so You have until the end of this month to save this month as your effective date.

At a minimum, I would wait to "submit" your claim until you have a official ptsd diagnosis from VA.

Edited October 6, 2014 by NavyWife (see edit history)

[Notorious Kelly]

I agree with NavyWife; don't do as many VSOs want and give them POA and submit claim with no evidence or half-done. Better to do the Fully Developed Claim.

[mcarter985]

No, please don't rush filing your claim.

It is MUCH, MUCH more important To get all the evidence together for a solid claim so hopefully you will be approved on your first try.

Many veterans try to rush filing it to save that elusive claim date, only to submit a half ass claim and get denied, and wait in appeals for three years or more.

There are two ways you can save your claim date right now.

If you have an E benefits premium accounts you can click the link that says "apply for benefits". There you can start a claim for disability compensation. Get the claim started and save your date, BUT DO NOT CLICK SUBMIT YET.

The second way is to tell your VSO, if you have one, to send a letter to the regional office, That you intend to file a claim and would like to save your effective date. Make sure he gives you a copy of this letter. Then you would keep a copy for yourself and send a copy to the regional office along with your claim package.

Either of these options will save your claim effective date, but not actually submit your claim, giving you time to get your evidence together. They go by the month and year, so You have until the end of this month to save this month as your effective date.

At a minimum, I would wait to "submit" your claim until you have a official ptsd diagnosis from VA.

I had no idea I could do that on eBenefits...I'll do it this week for sure! Thank you so much!

Edited October 6, 2014 by mcarter985 (see edit history)