ptsd Email To Hickey I Think I Got A Vague Response - What Do You Think?

[mzzsweetpea]

I email Ms Hickey bcuz I felt my PTSD/MST C&P was biased and asked her to look into it, I got a response today saying "Ms Hickey cares about answering my email and asked her "claims team" to help expedite my inquiry but goes on to say the VA Regional office in my city is currently working on my claim and a decision hasn't been made yet. When a decision is made I'll be notified" ummm I already know they're working on my claim. Does this mean she's not intervening on my behalf? Unlike other post on here where she personally responded to people and even referred claims to other people that have contacted vets....it seems to me nothing extra from her office will be done with my claim.

Is that what it sounds like to you guys? I'm a little upset about my vague response without any mention her getting personally involved. I don't know how to feel about this other than more disappointment...cam someone she'd light on their interpretation of my response from her office please ;-(

[kate7772]

When you contacted Ms. Hickey, did you explain exactly how you felt the exam was biased? You need to give her something to work with besides your opinion.

[USN_HM_VSR]

Did you read the C&P exam? If not get a copy and go through, it should give you a pretty good idea if its yay or nay.

[lotzaspotz]

Yes, exactly. Get a copy of the C & P exam, you don't have to wait for a decision to determine whether the exam supports or denies your claim, if that is your main concern at the moment.

[mzzsweetpea]

Yes, I got a copy of my exam 3 days,after I saw the doctor. She said I didn't meet the criteria for PTSD based on DSM-5 criteria and said bcuz my recollection of the event and symptoms were very clear I "exaggerated, feigning and malingering" basically she said I was lying!!! Then she stated based on my medical records I do have Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder BUT she cant say it resulted from military services. So my treating psychiatrist look at the exam results and wrote another letter stating I do meet PTSD DSM-5 criteria and in her medical opinion, all my conditions are a direct result of military service and my symptoms have worsened over the years. I submitted her letter and and I went line by line on my C&P exam pointing out every discrepancy I noted with a "Statement of Claim" form requesting the letter from my regular treating trauma recovery doctor overrule the C&P exam bcuz I felt my exam was biased and wasn't adequate to warrant a rating and that I request a new exam.

The results are what prompted me to email Ms Hickey

[bluevet]

Yes, exactly. Get a copy of the C & P exam, you don't have to wait for a decision to determine whether the exam supports or denies your claim, if that is your main concern at the moment.

I would agree with this. In fact, you do not need to wait for a decision to get a private medical opinion to counter a negative C&P exam. There is no need to wait for a denial and then get thrown into the long appeals process, although, if you filed a Fully Developed Claim, you probably won't have enough time to get this done before a decision is made. I made that mistake myself and it's cost me 2 years. If I hadn't filed an FDC, I would have had time to get my copy of the C&P exam and submit my I.M.O. from my private doctor and could have possibly avoided a denial all together.

[TALON II FE]

Yes, exactly. Get a copy of the C & P exam, you don't have to wait for a decision to determine whether the exam supports or denies your claim, if that is your main concern at the moment.

The VA no longer allows you access to your C & P prior to a decision. This is a blatant attempt to block what you are suggesting. This is a newer development (within the last couple months).