ptsd Got back my NEUROPSYCHOLOGY REPORT.... what does it mean?

[ozboi]

Short history on me.... 50% SC PTSD, 10% Tinutis.... 3x OIF Veteran, IED blast exposure on 3rd tour......

 

I took an a test that lasted about all damn day last month..... finally checked myhealthevet and got the results back from the Blue Button from the VA PHD NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST.... can someone please tell me what all this crap means? It sounds BAD to me!!!!!

 

 

VALIDITY:

Test results were below cutoff scores on measures of effort and motivation.  He 
had 1 score less than 5% for validity battery, and the TBI group had 9% with 
this pattern. An additional measure of validity was below 15% cut off again 
consistent with 9% of the TBI group.  Embedded scores of validity on 2 cognitive 

functioning tests indicated likely invalid scores.  The pattern of scores on 
memory and attention tests were not associated with mild TBI or PTSD. 
Therefore, the scores from the battery of tests was considered to have below 
standard validity and reliability, and they will not be reported.

EMOTIONAL FUNCTIONING:

Patient was administered two tests of psychological functioning with results of 
clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety.  These can be followed up by his 
menta
l health providers.

FUNCTIONAL MEASURES:

Regarding behaviors associated with executive functioning, the patient reported 
problems with organization and problem-solving and self-regulation of emotions. 
Time management, self-restraint, and motivation scales were within the normal 
range.  Regarding functional skills, the patient reported impairment within the 
clinical range regarding functioning at home with family, work, interactions 
with strangers and friends, driving, daily responsibilities, and health 
maintenance.  He reported normal functioning with regard to completing chores at 

home, his marital relationship, money management, sexual relations, self-care 
routines, and childrearing.

DIAGNOSTIC IMPRESSIONS:

No diagnosis: results inconclusive
PTSD symptoms by history and reported psychological distress

SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS:

Performance was notable for evidence of psychological distress in context of 
complaints of severe cognitive problems and psychological problems, and 
inconsistent report of daily living functional skills.

Given medical record and current complaints, it is likely the patient continues 
to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety that may interfere with 
cognitive functioning, especially attention and concentration processes which 
then reduce functional memory skills.  Self-report of depression and anxiety 
symptoms were associated with clinical mood disorders.  Due to the below 
standard validity of test performances and the concern about inconsistencies in 
observed and reported functioning on the mental status exam versus the patient's 

complaints, no diagnosis can be confirmed in these results.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.      Continue mental health treatment with regular follow-up concerning 
multiple reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD and behavior 
evidencing poor coping skills.  It is recommended the patient enroll in the 
evidence based treatment program for PTSD.
2.      Medication management should consider limited response to current 
regimen for all symptoms including PTSD, depression, and headache pain.
3.      Sleep disorder exam to determine if additional treatment is needed for 
insomnia and reported restless sleep with nightmares.
4.      TBI team follow-up to monitor treatment progress and coordinate care. 
5.      Speech therapy treatment to address the patient's cognitive complaints 
directly and provide techniques to improve his attention and short-term memory 
functioning.

 

What is the NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST saying here?

Is the PHD NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST trying to blaime all on my PTSD???!!!!! 

 

[Andyman73]

armorer,

Not sure exactly what you're saying, mostly due to my own ignorance, but for my recent test results, they said my issues stem from several different areas, such as my MDD, SA, and chronic pain related sleep interference.  Which does actually mirror my DXs, so is pretty much spot on.  My VA MH dr mostly wanted to rule out any underlying physical issues, such as alheimers, dementia and so on. 

So, while I am pleased with my results, I do wonder what the results were of the tests being excluded from the report, and why they chose to exclude them.

Semper Fi

[armorer]

13 hours ago, Andyman73 said:

armorer,

Not sure exactly what you're saying, mostly due to my own ignorance, but for my recent test results, they said my issues stem from several different areas, such as my MDD, SA, and chronic pain related sleep interference.  Which does actually mirror my DXs, so is pretty much spot on.  My VA MH dr mostly wanted to rule out any underlying physical issues, such as alheimers, dementia and so on. 

So, while I am pleased with my results, I do wonder what the results were of the tests being excluded from the report, and why they chose to exclude them.

Semper Fi

Andyman,  

It sounds like you are doing good. I just found my sa test I've been looking for for 2 years on a VA dr.'s laptop Wednesday. I argued a bipap machine with more intake than exhaust by 'Reasoning' with a Neurologist :) I wanted a variable one, but... I guess this will be better than a weak ass cpap and help me breath better at night.

Who knows where your reports are. Did you get blue button access yet on HealtheVet? I need to do it Monday and see if it will help. So far, my HealtheVet I just got in the tbi clinic access looks just like eBenefits.

Edited July 8, 2016 by armorer

[armorer]

On 7/6/2016 at 10:33 PM, ozboi said:

Thank you very much for your response....

I am confused...how did you get a TBI C & P if you have not formally claimed it yet?

That is correct, I have not file a claim for TBI yet.

I was being seen at the VAMC by a Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Medicine (Specialist/Doctor?) 

I was  referred by the  Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Medicine (Specialist/Doctor?) for neuropsychological assessment regarding TBI with brief loss of consciousness, and screening results were impaired 
attention, short-term memory, long-term memory, directionality, arithmetic 
skills, and insight.

 

Maybe this was some sort of pre screening???

This is what is listed on myhealthevet:

"
 LOCAL TITLE: NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION REPORT               
STANDARD TITLE: NEUROPSYCHOLOGY REPORT     "

 

The exam says" Therefore, the scores from the battery of tests was considered to have below 
standard validity and reliability, and they will not be reported."

This is the part that I do not understand..... 

That is an odd remark. My husband had to take 6 tests that took 2 days at the VA to assess a stroke and then separate it from his 30% PTSD. Wechsler and put the pin in the box test were two of them.

" IED blast exposure on 3rd tour...... " is that confirmed in your SMRs?

Yes I have documentation in my SMRs, I am rated 50% PTSD because of it.

 

Anyone care to chime in?

Should I file a claim for TBI or not after this (what seems like a negative) NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION REPORT?

Berta's the expert, but don't you need a more positive IMO or Nexus to support your claim? That report would be a 'weak conclusion' and I would rather keep my powder dry for a stronger conclusion opportunity. It may not be hard to overturn it though by an expert, hopefully with greater qualifications than the original tester.

Although your ideas may have validity, it's hard overturning a M.D. in anything based on layman's opinion in any kind of law. Unfortunately, that's the way it is most of the time unless there is an obvious mistake.

But my Pulmonary MD scolded me like a child Wednesday. I researched and wrote my TBI Neurologist MD a 2 page single spaced email on why he was wrong. And I got my BiPap fit-test tomorrow. Try that with any Neurologist: they are about as high as you can go in M.D.'s  :) But you better do your homework first and don't waste their time. It took me about 5 or 6 hours on DuckDuckGo.com and I have my Opera Speed Dial groups by claim topics.

I can win little battles anyway, but I need my oxygen at night; and cpaps are weak streams of air. I love my TBI Neurologist. She kicks buns!

Edited July 9, 2016 by armorer

[ozboi]

7 hours ago, armorer said:

Berta's the expert, but don't you need a more positive IMO or Nexus to support your claim? That report would be a 'weak conclusion' and I would rather keep my powder dry for a stronger conclusion opportunity. It may not be hard to overturn it though by an expert, hopefully with greater qualifications than the original tester.

I have not filed a claim for TBI when I did that NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION.

[pwrslm]

You were referred to the TBI team. ( "TBI team follow-up to monitor treatment progress and coordinate care.")  I appears that you should be getting an appointment with them.  That is where you should inquire if you are affected by TBI, and if they give you an affirmative response, and schedule you for treatment, I would say yes, put the claim in based on the Blue Button records that they are generating.

But just to be safe, log on to EBenefits.com ASAP and get a claim started to preserve the effective date.  Once you initiate the claim, your effective date is preserved, and you have up to a year to finish submitting it.  That should give you plenty of time to get all of your ?'s answered and collect all of the evidence you need.

[Andyman73]

17 hours ago, armorer said:

It sounds like you are doing good. I just found my sa test I've been looking for for 2 years on a VA dr.'s laptop Wednesday. I argued a bipap machine with more intake than exhaust by 'Reasoning' with a Neurologist :) I wanted a variable one, but... I guess this will be better than a weak ass cpap and help me breath better at night.

Who knows where your reports are. Did you get blue button access yet on HealtheVet? I need to do it Monday and see if it will help. So far, my HealtheVet I just got in the tbi clinic access looks just like

I have a bipap, or whatever, reduced pressure on the exhuast side, with heated water chamber.  Over it is good, but...doesn't do much for my other sleep issues and chronic pain interference with my sleep.  Will be speaking with my VA MH dr. on the 29th coming, about those two issues, specifically.  My PCP told me, last week, that the MH guy will be the one to address those issues, especially in conjunction with my MDD that he DXd.

I have a copy of the issued/published report, and what it says.  Only thing with that is they left out the SMR entry copy showing loss of consciousness from my fall down the stairs at boot camp.  I secure messaged them and found out that the Dr who did my neuro psych isn't in the secure messaging program.  So will be calling her ASAP!!!  Got that report from the ROI office before I saw it on blue button.