Va Clinic Diagnoses Ptsd On It's Own

[Mountain Vet]

So.. I am new to posting here but a long time reader of this site - awesome work moderators and subject matter experts .. your efforts are much appreciated.

I had a routine VA medical appointment for a general health check up in early April of this year and during that exam the doctor and I got to talking about my prior service. I mentioned to him a few things (I don't talk about my military history much with anyone) about my middle east service including intrusive dreams for years about a bomb attacks including a bomb (IED-timer) that destroyed my vehicle (unoccupied) and came pretty close to taking me out. He probed further and after answering his questions openly and honestly he referred me to the VA mental health team for evaluation.

Now I have a VA medical diagnosis of PTSD secondary to my military service and a diagnosis of depressive disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder on top of that. I am prescribed anti depressants from the VA and am taking them. I am participating in group and individual therapy with a goal of diminishing my symptoms which quite honestly I have lived with seemingly forever. The VA psycologist and pychiatrist have both documented the diagnosis and nexus to my military service in my VA medical records and file. Both encouraged me to go see my VSO. I feel a bit like a dumb ass for living with these syptoms for many years and not considering my options. It surprises me that the doctors did all of this without any encouragement from me - Frankly I wasn't even looking for an increase in my disability (20%) benefits.

I gathered up some buddy letters from veterans who were there and had personal knowlege and put together a binder of news articles and related military service records along with the medical stuff I have so far. I consulted with my VSO who copied my entire binder and immediately filed a claim (fast track).

Some of the issues I have suffered with for many years include; sleep deprivation (nightmares, night sweats, insomnia); social isolation (few trusted friends, estrangement from family, avoidance of middle eastern people; hyper vigilance (chair/back against the wall always, forever alert, suspicious of damn near everything and everyone); little to no outside activities increasing over the years; anger outbursts,

agitation and impatience among others.

I am a work-a-holic often burying myself in my work and was a high achiever until my memory started to fail (mostly short term - forgetting names, dates, appointments etc).

Having given that background does anyone think I can get rated for the issues I didn't ask for to begin with? Any other similar experiences having the VA push a PTSD diagnosis on a patient during a routine exam? Any help is much appreciated.

MV

[Mountain Vet]

It all sounds very positive to me. Good luck on the C & P. We have C & P PTSD forms here somewhere under a search to show you what to expect.

ok..  I got the result of my C&P exam today.  I sent in a FOI request via fax and they fax'd me the report which was completed and submitted to the VA on August 30th.  This is a ten day turn around for the report and a 12 day turn around from examination to my hands.

All elements of disabling PTSD are endorsed by the examining doctor including a good nexus statement.  The doctor endorses and checks the box which seem to equate to the 30% verbiage.  Not sure what the rater will do. My guess is he would be hard pressed to rate me less than 30%..  I doubt he'll go higher.  

All in all it has been real quick and pretty painless for me.

Next stop..?  Rating?

 

MV

[Mountain Vet]

Update..  just for the record here.  Yesterday my claim status (on eBenefits) went to "Pending Decision Approval" ..  I figure this is a good thing - at least the process is working.  Next step must be some kind of 'notification' letting me know what they decided on and approved?  We'll see.  I will letcha know.

 

~MV

[Mountain Vet]

Went to Preparation For Notification this morning..  we'll see.

[Navy04]

Good to see your claim is almost complete, my FDC just went to Pending Decision Approval yesterday. Good luck and Cross our fingers!!!

[Mountain Vet]

Final update:   Went to "Notification Sent" this afternoon.  VA called me to verify mailing address and marital status.  AB8 letter and bEnefits already show new rating of PTSD rated at 50%.  Brings my total combined to 60% compensable.  (50% +20%= 60% <VA math>)  This FDC process was fast and fair.  The VA worked hard and well for me.  I have no complaints.

Best,

~MV

[Andyman73]

Congratulations!!!