PTSD by Veterans Evaluation Services?

[freedomisntfree]

Received a call today from VES Veterans Service Services. They told me they were assigned my case and would be setting me up with a C&P! I asked what was the C&P for? In response they said it was for PTSD.

At first I started having panic and high anxiety. So I called my service rep and asked just what is going on. I felt I was being blind sided because I am scheduled for the RRTP inpatient treatment for PTSD next month for 9 weeks. My service rep told me it was because I filed a NOD in 2011 on my original rating of PTSD. He said the new C&P would be used to evaluated my PTSD and if I was not satisfied then afterwards I could file a SOC.

Has this ever happened to anyone and is this how it is usually done?

If it is since this is not the VA but an outside agency do they do a fair assessment?

I have already been low balled by the VA with the first rating of 50% when all the evidence pointed to 70% or even 100%. Records clearly show serious impairments with work, social and hospitalization twice due to suicide attempts.

I don't really know what to expect from this outside agency so I requested my wife be present to help me follow through with it and help if my anxiety level spikes.

All I can do is be honest with the doctor and hope for the best!

Any other suggestions?

[Buck52]

http://www.hadit.com/all-va-law-articles/

[bluevet]

Buck,

I already have a diagnosis of PTSD and service connected at 50% and overall 90%.

bluevet,

I don't know why it took so long. I file the NOD and it was to be reviewed by a DRO. My service adviser said since there was three contentions I disagreed with filed the NOD then that could have been the reason it took so long. As for me I don't buy that bull. If that was the case I would have C&P's for them as well.

Yes my original C&P was in 201 and late 2011 I received my ratings and filed the NOD. I hope this doesn't draw out to the point I have to do a SOC and go to BVA. What is so simple has became so drawn out. My wife stated the first review officer probably didn't believe my PTSD was so bad and in his opinion I should only bee 50% but my wife also calmed me with positive reinforcement and reminds me that there is a substantial amount of treatment and records now to warrant a higher rating.  

Who knows! I just have to be calm and wait for the next 12 days to pass.

bluevet, you said it is normal procedures the VA does this. In you opinion do these out source rating officials have as much experience with combat related PTSD and how can they relate to me and my experiences with the loss my men. Just not sure what to expect.

Freedomisntfree, They don't outsource the job of rating you. You will be assigned a rating by a VA employee, in this case a DRO. In most cases, VA ratings are reviewed periodically for changes in symptoms and severity that could justify a change in your rating. Once your disability has carried a rating for a certain length of time, it is then considered to be static and the VA will no longer request additional C&Ps, unless the veterans initiates a claim for an increase. Since it had been 5 years since your last exam, it isn't unusual that the DRO has requested a new exam. When the DRO looks at your claim, he will look at the entire record. He could continue your 50% rating or he could increase it, but he can not give you a rating that is less beneficial to you than the original 50% rating for the period between your original decision and the new C&P. It is also possible for you to receive different ratings for different periods of time. For example, the VA could decide that you were initially entitled to a 70% rating, but that your symptoms now warrant 50%. If this were the case, you would receive retro pay for the diffence between 50 and 70, dating back to 2011. If the DRO doesn't find in your favor, he will issue a SOC and you will have 60 days to file form 9 for appeal to the BVA. 

 

Edited September 3, 2015 by bluevet

[Berta]

to clarify a few comments here....once PTSD due to service has been established,and the stressor has been conceded, 

at that point the stressors have nothing to do with the rating. Nor do the inservice SMRs.

It is the effect of the PTSD on the veteran that is rated per the VA Schedule of Ratings.

Many vets I knew in a PTSD combat group at a vet center, relayed to us stressors that they never could tell the VA.They could barely tell us about them.

If they had say 50% at the time for PTSD would this additional stressor, stated in a claim for higher rating,  raise their comp?

No.

If they had medical evidence that they had been hospitalized for PTSD, or denied Voc rehab due to the PTSD, or were unemployed and received SSDI solely for the PTSD (and/or other SC disabilities) or had a significant increase in their PTSD meds, that is what VA looks for to increase a rating.

One of the most important documents we have here is the VA Schedule of Ratings. The link to it was broke for some time andf I was surprised no one else mentioned that....

Rating information by diagnostic code is about half way down the document and reveals exactly what evidence is required for every percentage to include PTSD.

[Navy04]

Sorry for what you are going thru, as I spent 3 months in Civilian Mental Hospital while Active in 2012. As stated above yes this is normal, as you informed the VA in 2011 that you disagreed with the Original Decision %, so now you are going in to see if the VA decides to Warrant an Increase. I have had both good and bad experiences thru the VES, you really never know. Just go in there, be honest and as long as the record of Medical Evidence and Treatment is there, you will be fine. Good luck and God Bless

[freedomisntfree]

Very good input from all of you. Thank you very much.

[freedomisntfree]

Update on evaluation for PTSD.

Like I mentioned earlier I was rated 50% for PTSD and felt I was low balled and records indicating 70% or even 100%. Well the new C&P and reviewer both agreed and changed my rating for PTSD to 100% with SMC housebound. I haven't seen all the details but my DAV rep notified me today.

After receiving the packet that was mailed out to me I will disclose more. Thanks everyone.