Ptsd C&p Exam Scheduled - General Questions

[0351-assaultman]

Hello fellow hard chargers. I'm an 0351/OIF combat veteran who was involved in the initial invasion of Iraq back in March, 2003. I witnessed and did things that were pretty horrific. The last few years have been extremely difficult for me -- and within the last year, in particular, PTSD symptoms have gotten the best of me and for the last 5 months, after being let go from my previous job (due to lashing out at several clients), I have been unable to procure steady employment. My father, who is a Vietnam veteran, told me about the about the possibility of getting compensation for PTSD. Until a couple of months ago, I didn't know this was even a possibility. So I did my research, filed a claim, and then entered treatment at the VA here in Southern California. Within a week, I was diagnosed with PTSD, and they prescribed me two sets of medications - Prazosin for anxiety/panic attacks, & Gabapentin for nightmares. I just started the medications this week and I've already noticed a decrease in nightmares and panic attacks -- which up until last week were occurring 3 to 4 times a week - sometimes every night. They've also started me on PE (Prolonged Exposure) Therapy which I'm doing but honestly -- therapy inside the stagnant walls of the VA are enough to give anybody nightmares!! But I'm grateful that the therapy is available.

Just today,I got a notification for a QTC (C&P) exam at a private facility here in Los Angeles. From what I've read online, it seems this process is happening very quickly -- I only filed my initial claim on July 1st. What can I expect from this interview? Like everyone else here, I would gladly except the highest rating possible, since I really do need (and I believe deserve) the monetary assistance to get me through this time of my life. Can I expect them to have already received the medical records from the psychiatrist I've been seeing at the VA - as well as the notes from my initial consultation with the PTSD specialist? Also, with this examiner, do they go into the details of events that occurred while I was in Iraq? I really hate the idea of having to discuss those details again with a complete stranger -- it was hard enough with the VA psychiatrist.

And do you have any other suggestions in general as how I should prepare? The medications are helping with certain sleep issues-- should I bring that up or will that lower my chances of getting a higher rating?

Thank you all for your input. It is greatly appreciated...

[USMC_HVEQ]

well devil,

good to go on doing your due diligence. You need to look up the criteria for each rating. Yes they will go into depth about Stressors. Since you were in Iraq and most likely got a CAR being a grunt, no need to worry about confirming everything. They will go into your background growing up, family life etc.

They want to know how you were before Iraq and how you are post Iraq essentially. The C&P is a confirmation usually of what was diagnosed.

The percentages for diasbility are based on the severity of your symptoms. It isn't about oh you saw more then someone else or less than. Merely having diagnosis is a start but then you need to look at what your symptoms are.

They will go in depth on each symptom as well and ask for examples. The exam will probably be an hour or 2. THey will be judging everything about you ( , remember this. How you talk(fast or slow), eye contact (yes or no), language(curse or whatever), body language, demeanor, how you are dressed, how you are groomed, emotion (angry, cry, no emotion) just a few of the things I can come up with off the top of my head

they want to know work history (lost of jobs or lost time due to PTSD)

My list to go over:

panic attacks (frequency)

Irritiability

No longer enjoy/Lost interest in things you once used to enjoy

Suicide attempts or thoughts

Homicidal thoughts

Road rage

Issues with crowds?

Sleeping problems

Nightmares

isolating yourself?

numb or detached feelings?

anger problems

any issues with cops (being called, restraining orders, Jail, probation, etc)

easily startled at all? 4th of july effect you at all?

Issues with hadjis?

Anxiousness?

need things done certain ways, almost OCD like?

minor things set you off?

depression?

weight gain or weight loss?

self medicate with alcohol or drugs?

risky behaviors?

ANy issues taking care of yourself?

any issues handling your own finances?

any education? (like finished school or went but dropped out)

The VA diability compensation is mostly for losing ability to work more than quality of life. So if you are working that effects the level they grant you as well.

I hope I helped a little. I will chime back in when I can think of more things.

S/F

[USMC_VET]

here is the link to the DBQ, which is the questionairre they will use to ask you questions and make their little marks.

http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-0960P-3-ARE.pdf

Here is the ratings table for mental disorders, if more of your symptoms fall into one than the other thats usually how they rate it.

General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders

Rating Total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms as: gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name. 100 Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting); inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. 70 Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment of short- and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learned material, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; impaired abstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. 50 Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, recent events). 30 Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication. 10 A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication. 0

For example lets say that you have...

impairment short and long term memory, panic attacks 2x week, depression, sleep impairment, can carry on conversation normally and take care of yourself, able to work.

The first two symptoms fall in the 50%, the other fall into 30% since more of your symptoms fall into 30% than 50% you will get the 30%. There are some symptoms that take precedence over others and are more important. if you can keep yourself clean and hold a job but are suicidal, then that can bump you up.

If i were you i would review the link that is in my signature on how to gather and submit evidence. Get sworn declarations (template included in that post that is linked) from yourself, family and buddies that were in.

sounds like you already have the in service stressor handled and are diagnosed, that makes it easier.

In your sworn statement, state what happened, how it affected you, how your symptoms have been over the years and how they affect you now. have your spouse/family write how it affects them, have you buddies write as well what happened and when (but since you already have a diagnosis this probably isnt necessary but wont hurt).

I would also go and get a private psych that is well regarded write up a dbq and report on you. call around and ask for a IMO/IME (independent Medical Opinion or Exam) to be conducted, some will do it without seeing you prior to this, some will. I know one if you are in the midwest if you are interested.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to have a IMO/IME.

In the interview dont lie, however tell them how you are on your worst day. you live with your worst days and the raters only rate based on what you say THAT SPECIFIC DAY, so if on your worst day you are severely depressed, dont want to get out of bed, drink too much, tell them that. If you are having one of the few good days we have, and you answer based on that you are rated on your best day not your worst. see where i am going? Its not lying, its telling the truth about how it affects you. Lying is saying you experience something you are not, this is telling them the truth about your worst days.

[Navy04]

Welcome aboard bud, and just go in there and be honest, the medical evidence speaks for itself. Good luck and God Bless

[Andyman73]

They may try to steer you towards the part of your life before service, to see if that can become a reason to either deny or lowball you. I only have just begun my MH process, tomorrow I have my 2nd appt with the doc. I don't have a claim in, yet, but do expect to by this fall.

Semper Fi.

Andy

[Pete53]

Be very careful with questions about your life as a kid. The truth is it should nt matter as you were certified as fit when they accepted you in the first place. If you had a rough childhood try to minimalize it. My example my Dad was a bronz star with purple heart Vet with undiagnosed PTSD and he would beat the crap out of me if I messed up.And so did the priests and the nuns so when asked I just said my childhood was more or less the same as my friends,

Don't lie but couch your words. Be very specific about your symptoms and when they greet you don't say you are feeling fine like most people do when asked. If you have a relative that knows how things are its a good idea to bring them with you.

[Andyman73]

I had my second visit with the MH doc, and we didn't talk about anything except how he wanted to progress and such. Which is okay, but didn't move me any closer to help or an official DX. On the bright side, tho, we didn't get off track and talk about my life before the Marines, either. I was all prepared to give non-commital answers about my childhood and such. Maybe next time.