ptsd Ssd Exam

[Stephanie]

Hello All!

I'm currently rated 100% combined serviced connected disabled:

70% PTSD

60% bullous skin condition

30% Irritable Bowel Syndrome

20% Right ankle arthritis

20% Left ankle arthritis

I stopped working in March of 2006 mainly due to PTSD. In June of 2006 I applied for SSDi. I was filing for all my disabilities, but mainly the PTSD. I filed online and completed all (and it was a lot) of the paperwork they sent me. I was scheduled to see an SS doctor yesterday 12/27/06. I went to the appointment (he was also a general practitioner) and the doctor only asked what caused the PTSD and nothing about my PTSD symptoms, all he was concerned with was if I had a back injury and could I lift things. Where did that come from!!???!!! I never claimed a back problem!!!!

I've learned a lot about dealing with the government when I filed my VA paperwork, so I know that SS uses the "Blue Book" when determining disabilities, but how can they determine anything if the doctor doesn't ask about it. When I mentioned to him about my PTSD, all he said was "sounds like you just need to get your meds straightened out".

I don't know what to do next. Should I call the Disability Determination office, and inform them of the substandard medical appointment? Has anyone else had this kind of experience? Any guidance you can give will be appreciated.

Thanks!

Stephanie

[Guest jangrin]

Stephanie,

You should have had an exam scheduled by SS for a mental health examination, unless the SS feels they have enough records to provide for a determination regarding your PTSD, from your current and prior mental health providers.

Yes, if I were you I would call the SS claims person assigned to your specific case and ask her/him why they sent you for a physical when you were filing for SSDI because of mental health conditions keeping you from working.

Did you list your ankles or other physical ailments as part of your claim? If you did, thats why you were sent for a physical with the doc that did this exam. If not then you might need to find out why.

Jangrin

[Berta]

I agree with Jangrin-

this doc sounds like a VA moonlighter!

I posted somehing under ALLSUP,Inc. yesterday here-

Two of our vets mentioned them and I emailed them- to see if they were lawyers and interested in the June new regs on lawyers for VA claims-

A woman named Ruth called me yesterday from ALLSUP and we had quite a talk-

she did want more info on the attorney regs as they come out-and they certainly are interested in any veteran with SSA claim potential.

They are disability specialists, not lawyers, and have quite a bit of success with SSA claims-97 % success I think the site says.

They have a fee of course- but they should be kept in mind----if you need them-

We filed for a reconsideration -SSA had awarded my husband for a totally disabling major stroke.

But they never considered his PTSD at all.

SSA tried to discourage the reconsideration,

we filed it and asked a SSA lawyer to help. After making a long trip to see him, he refused -as he saw no basis.

4 months later I called him and told him he lost 4500 bucks.1/4 of the PTSD retro. We won the recon.

He was surprised and we had a long talk about PTSD. I dont think he would be so quick to not help a PTSD vet again. He did recall that I had evidence with me that he didnt want to read.

I have been trying to find his # to see if he will be helping wih VA claims in June-I think he is probably a very good lawyer-and I dont hold against him what happened-

The SSA has a stack of SSA law books in every office- I know because I read through many of them-

Although they determine a prime disabiling condition-for an award-still

the SSA must consider every disability listed. I attached copy of this SSA reg to our reconsideration request.

Edited December 29, 2006 by Berta

[Pete53]

Imagine my surprise when the VA C&P Doc I had who messed up my C&P wurity revaluation. as the very same Doc I would have to see for my Social Sec. As soon I found out I called Social Security and told them that I refused to go to that Doc as I had a bad experience with him. I sent my VA Award and I was oked for another 7 years.