ptsd C & P Docs And Ptsd Scandal?

[Berta]

I have hesitated to post the initial link I got on this last week, because , although Ben Krause is a lawyer and disabled vet, with a good web site, I was not sure about the info because the C & P doc site went down:

http://www.disabledveterans.org/2014/12/22/mmqb-wrap-ptsd-scandal-last-week/

There is more to this than meets the eye however.....and it has gotten the attention of the H VAC....

"Last week, we uncovered a clandestine VA website run by VA psychologists who function as Comp & Pension examiners that led to a PTSD scandal as matters unfold. The website and related materials indicate VA employees were using non-sanctioned resources to assess veterans for PTSD while focusing on malingering studies that are discouraged by the agency.

The discovery may lead to a class action lawsuit against the psychologists involved and the House Committee on Veterans Affairs is investigating the matter.

These psychologist ran a secret website where VA employees and contractors were able to discuss policies and problems related to their job. Shortly after exposure of the website, it was taken down.

What we need now is to find veterans who may have been impacted. These veterans may have received unfavorable compensation evaluations related to PTSD where the examiner was a member of the group and potentially relying on non-sanctioned techniques to assess PTSD severity."

http://www.disabledveterans.org/2014/12/22/mmqb-wrap-ptsd-scandal-last-week/

I assume Ben is looking to the Comments area for input from possibly affected vets ( I think his other contact info is there at this site as well)

because any potential class action case depends on having members of the class......and knowing who some of these veterans are.....

and maybe Kate7772's husband was one of them......

The PTSD C & P exam her husband got still is baffling to me.

And so is the VA's denial.

Edited December 22, 2014 by Berta

[Mikemmlj]

Wow, unbelievable. I take this personally. I struggled with the MMPI-2 exam , not because I was malingering but because I felt unworthy and struggled with guilt (and because I have dyslexia and all thosse double negative questions gave me a headache). Luckily I had a good C and P examiner.

ththe doctor in this article seems to have ununbelievable contempt for veterans. How many C and P examiners develop this level of cynicism and disdain for the veterans they evaluate? I have heard it said that mental health professionals that do C and P exams are "burned out" on therapy and have a negative view of those struggling with their mental health, this clandestine website seems to validate that belief.

[Berta]

It is disgraceful.

If you read my comment at Ben's site I mentioned Shades of the Perez Memo but didnt explain that. Here it is

It seems like every couple of years or so, the VA tries to screw around with bonafide PTSD vets.

"because I felt unworthy and struggled with guilt" ....that is Very common to PTSD vets Mike.

The VA seems to take advantage of the very symptoms some PTSD vets have.

I think those feelings have even caused some vets to not even apply for PTSD.

[Mikemmlj]

Berta what percentage of vets do you think are straight up malingerers? What percent exaggerate symptoms? What percent downplay symptoms? What percent never file a claim even though they could?

I know this is an explosive question but you have the knowledge to give an opinion. I am 100% and not stupid and want to go back to work but my Social Worker says I have a lot of work to do on my mental health before considering going back to work and I should not return to work out of a sense of guilt when I'll probably just get fired. This article really riled me up sorry.

[Berta]

Mike, this report suggests the figures are quite low:

http://www.disabledveterans.org/2014/04/29/research-suggests-99-4-veterans-dont-make-fraudulent-disability-claims/

I would definitely think that the 99.4 % valid PTSD claim rate is correct.

( and I think over the years I have met that .6 % personally...long story there.... but the DIC widow wannabees I dealt with were worse)

It is very common for PTSD vets to downplay their symptoms.I also believe some vets exagerate their symptoms but if they have proven stressors, those things should not be an issue.

"What percent never file a claim even though they could?"

I imagine the numbers would be in the thousands.

When the VA Inspector General ( 2005 I think it was) investigated hadit and all other vet web sites, they found Nothing to suggest that we were giving vets ideas as to how to present their PTSD to the C & P doctors in any dishonest way at all.

What concerns me the most about wannabees is that some of them have succeeded,with the VA, then years down the road some of them have gotten caught.

Keith Roberts went to prison for many years because the VA OIG, for some reason, contacted the buddys who had given him buddy statements,years after he got his PTSD award, and their stories to the IG were different than the buddy statements were.

For anyone who might have gotten a lousy PTSD C & P from

Mark Worthen

C&P Psychologist at Department of Veterans Affairs

Asheville, North Carolina

Mental Health Care

(I am positive this is the same C & P doctor in the Ben Krause article)

or from

Brad Brummett, PhD

Neuropsychologist

Neuropsychologist, Compensation & Pension Service

Department of Veterans Affairs

October 2012 – Present (2 years 3 months)Leeds, Massachusetts

Conduct compensation & pension examinations, neuropsychological evaluations, and consult to the nursing home care unit.

(But I am not completely sure he is the same doc mentioned in the article)

Ben Krause wants to here from them at his web site link above.

[Fat]

This is quite shocking and upsetting........................

[Notorious Kelly]

The whole C&P system is a kangaroo court that should be eliminated anyway.

SO many broken and battered veterans don't realize that they are on trial without a lawyer in front of highly-trained 'examiners' with a built-in bias to deny at least SOME vets (or they won't be doing more C&Ps).

This is just another example of the unfairness woven throughout The System.