Chronic Adjustment Disorder Conversion To PTSD Question

[militarynurse]

I had read in Mil.Times that:  "According to the psychiatric manual used to diagnose mental health issues, the DSM-IV, adjustment disorder occurs when someone has difficulty dealing with a life event, such as a new job or a divorce, or after someone has been exposed to a traumatic event. The symptoms can be the same as for post-traumatic stress disorder: flashbacks, nightmares, sleeplessness, irritability, anger and avoidance. According to military and Veterans Affairs Department policy, if those symptoms last longer than six months, the diagnosis should be changed to PTSD."

Has anyone seen where a SC'd "chronic adjustment disorder" diagnosis for longer than 6 months or more in duration was changed to a diagnosis of PTSD?

Thank you.  

 

Edited September 8, 2015 by militarynurse

[bluevet]

Bluevet, Thank you for the reply. The article that quote came can be found at the following link: http://archive.armytimes.com/article/20100812/NEWS/8120325/

A fellow I know just had his C&P exam with the as likely as not diagnosis of "adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood." Not "chronic adjustment disorder", however, it appears nowadays it doesn't make any difference. He was not assigned a GAF score.

While PTSD is linked to a number of secondary conditions ( which he is aiming for ), I'm not sure that an "adjustment disorder"....chronic or otherwise...is. Anyone know?

 

If he has stressors indicative of PTSD in the record, or presumed via a badge or ribbon, it is possible to obtain a PTSD diagnosis and file a claim. Mental disorders are rated based on level of disability as indicated by the symptoms. You can not receive compensation for more than one mental disorder and, in most cases, it wouldn't be possible for an examiner/doctor to separate the symptoms. Essentially, getting a  PTSD diagnosis and obtaining service connection, wouldn't necessarily result in an increase in disability rating.

Almost all of the symptoms of chronic adjustment disorder (CAD) can also occur due to PTSD. Logic would therefore suggest that most secondary conditions that could be linked to PTSD could also be linked to CAD. I'm just using common sense here, so there is a real chance that my logic doesn't translate to VA law or policy. What conditions does he believe could be linked to PTSD?

Edited September 12, 2015 by bluevet

[militarynurse]

He believes his Insomnia and hypertension can be linked as secondary conditions or aggravated by his VA diagnosis of "adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood".

BTW, is "adjustment disorder" the same as "chronic adjustment disorder"?

 

[bluevet]

When disturbances of an adjustment disorder have lasted more than 6 consecutive months, it is specified as "Chronic", according to the DSM-V

[militarynurse]

http://www.cnas.org/sites/default/files/21st_Cent_VA_11885.pdf