ptsd Tomorrow is my PTSD C& P NERVOUS!

[pumibel]

Hi everyone! I have not been in here for a while since I have started some classes. I bet I have some catching up to do! Last week I received a phone call from VES to schedule all of my exams ASAP, so tomorrow is my PTSD exam. I have been stressing about it for the past few days, but I know that cannot help. Next week I have to see the dentist on the 25th, a regular general medical doctor on the 27th, and on the 29th I have a bunch of X-rays and an echo-cardiogram scheduled. 

The VA had sent me a letter, dated for the 24th of December 2015, stating that they could not settle my case under the FDC program because they needed to know where all of my aches and pains were located. I was not surprised that they were going to remove my claim from the FDC, but the reasoning was suspect. I had provided all of the pain locations on my claim, and when I go to eBennies and look at my pending claim, I can see all of the places listed. Today I received another VA letter stating that the Dec letter was an error, and that all of my appointments would be scheduled very soon, so my claim would stay in the FDC program after all. yay!

I still do not know where my STRs are! The agencies from which I have requested my records (except for my local VA records) have all sent me letters stating that they do not have them. Argh!

I hope everyone here has had a pleasant holiday season and a good start for the new year!

EDIT: I was going to ask a few questions, and I totally forgot! Here are my most pressing ones:

Should I bring notes with me?

What do they do during the PTSD C&P? I have only answered some survey questions in the past and didn't discuss the actual event. I am very anxious about that!

Edited January 20, 2016 by pumibel
Forgot to ask my questions!

[flores97]

Pumibel, I wish you success with your claims, and i also live in NC(right outside ft bragg). I noticed you are having difficulty obtaining your strs. Have you tried sending an iris inquiry(complaint), it took almost two years for me to receive mine, after i finally contacted my local congressmans office they magically appeared literally a week later. I had requested copies of all six of my c&p exams as well, when you send an iris through ebennies be sure to ssk for copies of your c&ps, so that they will be included. Good Luck!!

[pumibel]

On 1/22/2016 at 11:35 AM, Andyman73 said:

Buck,

Thanks.  I was looking through the CFR regs, but wasn't able to find one that covers my issue.  Odds are it's there, but I don't know what to look for, or what wording is used for that particular reg.  I will try the google search later when I have time...probably this weekend whilst it's snowing to beat the band.

Andy

Hey Andy,

I just got back from my dental C&P, and two dentists (I made sure they were dentists not assistants) discussed my case with me. The TMJ specialist said that yes, I am a daytime clencher, not a night time grinder, and the majority of clenching is caused by stress. Since I have symptoms and damage associated with chronic, long-term clenching, it is completely reasonable that this started with the 2001 trigger as I had postulated. I had to discuss the PTSD claim and details associated with that because it was relevant to the jaw and headache pains. Hell, I was clenching right there in the office!

In my case, the damage is mostly to the myofascial tissue rather than the actual joint, but the discs attached to the jaw bone are out of alignment from the years of clenching. Since physical symptoms and my account are in accord, they support a service connection. I know this is ultimately up to the VA, but there you have it from two experts.

So this excuse that your VARO is giving you does not really stand up if your jaw pain is from clenching. You should definitely keep after your VARO about getting that exam! At the very least you can be seen by VA dentists if you can get the condition service connected. It will save you $$$!

Hope this helps!

Pumi

 

[Navy04]

Glad to hear you made it thru your exams. Good luck and keep us posted

[green]

Regarding the question on a contracted C&P and having access.  I called the records person a couple times a week at my local VA Hospital and picked up hard copies once they were in the system.  I'm not sure if that works for all situations of if the C&P (if contracted) might bypass the VA health side of the house and go directly to the RO.

 

Green

[pumibel]

1 hour ago, Navy04 said:

Glad to hear you made it thru your exams. Good luck and keep us posted

Thanks Navy! I have two more this week, and that should be the last of the C&P exams. The General Medical review is on Wednesday, and my diagnostic imaging extravaganza in on Friday. This is wearing me out, and my poor mom too, since she takes me to the appointments. I am sure she will be happy when this week is over!

[pumibel]

36 minutes ago, green said:

Regarding the question on a contracted C&P and having access.  I called the records person a couple times a week at my local VA Hospital and picked up hard copies once they were in the system.  I'm not sure if that works for all situations of if the C&P (if contracted) might bypass the VA health side of the house and go directly to the RO.

 

Green

The packets I was sent for my appointments have a number to call at the VA to get copies of the C&P exam results. I saw this today while we were driving to my appointment. I had missed it during previous readings. The contractor who schedules these appointments (VES in my case) cannot release anything to me, but I can call this number to request the paperwork.