ptsd What Does This Mean For Me Ptsd C&p Results

[smoothc100]

STANDARD TITLE: C & P EXAMINATION NOTE

DATE OF NOTE: OCT 27, 2014@08:00 ENTRY DATE: OCT 27, 2014@13:11:21

URGENCY: STATUS: COMPLETED

Medical Opinion

Disability Benefits Questionnaire

Indicate method used to obtain medical information to complete this

document:

[X] Review of available records (without in-person or video telehealth

examination) using the Acceptable Clinical Evidence (ACE) process

because the existing medical evidence provided sufficient information on which

to prepare the DBQ and such an examination will likely provide no

additional relevant evidence.

[ ] Review of available records in conjunction with a telephone interview

with the Veteran (without in-person or telehealth examination) using the

ACE process because the existing medical evidence supplemented with a

telephone interview provided sufficient information on which to prepare

the DBQ and such an examination would likely provide no additional

relevant evidence.

[ ] Examination via approved video telehealth

[ ] In-person examination

Evidence review

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

Was the Veteran's VA claims file reviewed? Yes

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

Veteran's VA claims file:

VBMS/CPRS reviewed

MEDICAL OPINION SUMMARY

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

RESTATEMENT OF REQUESTED OPINION:

a. Opinion from general remarks: Please review and opine if this diagnosis

is related to his claimed stressors from military service. (please see list of

stressors in your exam. If his diagnosis is related to any of these

stressors, please if possible indicate which ones.

MEDICAL OPINION: is veterans diagnosis of unspecified depressive disorder

with anxious distress as least as likely as not related to any of his

claimed stressors from military service. Please provide rationale.

b. Indicate type of exam for which opinion has been requested: PTSD

TYPE OF MEDICAL OPINION PROVIDED: [ MEDICAL OPINION FOR DIRECT SERVICE

CONNECTION ]

b. The condition claimed was less likely than not (less than 50%

probability) incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event

or illness.

c. Rationale: The veteran's reported stressors occurred in 1999. His

reported symptoms are not consistent with a post-traumatic disorder, including PTSD,

depression or anxiety. Rather, his symptoms are a mild non-specific

depression. As noted in my evaluation, it appears that the veteran has tied

his symptoms to in-service events, but has done so mistakenly. He reported

irritability with anger, poor sleep, loss of interest and anxiety in crowds,

on airplanes and during fireworks. There is no evidence of mental health

treatment until 2012, 13 years after his reported stressors. His report of

symptoms has been rather vague and not consistent with a post-traumatic

disorder. Thus, there is insufficient evidence to link his current mild

depression to reported stressors that occurred in 1999.

I understand it's been years with no treatment but if you don't know anything is wrong how can you get help. I was diagnosed by a civilian doctor and have been going to treatment at the vet center and the VA is giving med meds.

[broncovet]

IMHO, you will never get service connection for PTSD with this exam. The doc says you dont have PTSD, but depression and says that isnt related to military service.

There is only ONE way to rebut this unfavorable exam:

You need another doctor to offer a more favorable opinion. You can write letters, you can have buddy letters..but the only way to rebut a medical exam is with another medical exam.

There are 2 ways to do this:

1. Get another VA doc. There are several ways to do this, you can move, go to a different VAMC, you can ask for another doc, and sometimes, you dont have to do anything as the va doc may leave and you get a new doc.

2. Get an IME/IMO. That is gonna be tough, because the VA thinks only their docs can diagnose PTSD, that civilian docs cant do that. This method will also cost you money.

This is probably not what you want to hear, but you currently do not have a favorable nexus and that is required for service connection.

[smoothc100]

Broncovet,

The 3 day Neuropsychological Evaluation I had was conducted by a civilian and they even disputed the VA doctor’s report. You’re correct it was very, very costly as my VA doctor would not even refer me to take the exam after I requested it. Like you said according to the VA if it’s not one of their doctors then it doesn’t matter. I even thought under the new DSM IV criteria I would have a different outcome with letters from family members, updated Vet Center letters etc. I might go and see a lawyer on this matter no disrespect to the VSO Reps, but I submitted everything and done all I can do without going in there and acting a fool, which is what it seems like they want (VA).

[Navy4life]

Do you have a claim for MH (depression) before the VA?

[smoothc100]

No claim in for depression as I thought it would be listed as a secondary after the PTSD claim was approved.

[Navy4life]

You need to file a MH Claim for depression b/c it doesn't look like you will be S/C for PTSD. Think of a MH contention like this - You only have one brain and therefore they can only rate it as such. Therefore when you file for a MH claim you will have the higher of the contentions as your primary.

My suggestion is to go ahead and file for MH (Depression/Anxiety) and go from there.....

JMHO

[Buck52]

Some times the veteran while at a exam rather or not a C& P or just seeing his/her pcp...

may ''not'' know what to say when ask about their condition or know what to say like the stressors the Doc's listen for! Some VA Docs knows how to ask questions in a way that the veteran don't know how to put an answer to and usually this is what usually happens

& unfortunately tends to warrant a denial.

Just always remember any time you see a VA Dr there's a report of that particular exam and the C&P examiner will go back and read all those reports. also be wise to the fact that any IMO that you submit they have those too!

Keep copies of everything you send them never throw any of that kind of paper work away you never know when you might need them.

Like bronco mention seek different Dr's!!

Just my opinion but get Referal an IMO for a good compassionate Doc will help.

A Doc you can relate to...and one that will listen to you.

Its just sometimes a better way to go and its always a good Ideal to go get your medical records after you have an exam from a VA Doc so you kinda know what there saying about you before you file.

I wish you the very best with this its just a Rock in the road and you need to remove it!

Hang in there you will win!

Edited November 5, 2014 by britton