Should I disclose this to military psychologist

[Txh]

Hello,

 

I was wondering about if I should disclose something to my counselor. I am seeing a military psychologist and psychiatrist, they have diagnosed me with adjustment disorder. I have a history of being raped as a child by an adult. I did not disclose this when I joined the military. I can’t remember if they asked? They might have. I was never treated for it, no counseling, no diagnoses. I did not disclose it to my counselor initially because I didn’t want to talk about it. I am now wondering if I should disclose it for the sake of completeness. However, will this adversely affect me in any way? I know the military is weird about anything that happened before the military. Will they blame my adjustment disorder on my CSA? Will it prevent me from getting my service connection for adjustment disorder to seek continuing treatment in the civilian sector? Will it affect any disability claims? And does anyone know if the military asks this when you join? I know failing to disclose that kind of stuff is punishable so I just won’t disclose if that is the case. I was interested in just asking if what happened then could be affecting me now but I don’t want to if it’s going to make my life more difficult. Thanks in advance.

[broncovet]

In all cases, you want to be fully honest.  Being honest does not mean you have to disclose when was the last time you had sex, whether it was consensual, or the age of your partner.  Its not a requirement we answer EVERY question EACH person asks us, to get VA benefits.   We also dont have to answer questions that are not asked of us.   There are SOME questions which require an answer (to get VA benefits).  One example of this is the name of your doctors and when/what did he treat you for.  Not answering questions like this COULD be grounds to reject your benefits.  

    The information we give VA is voluntary, however, your claim will be denied if we dont respond to some of the questions that VA needs to process our claim.    We can opt to not answer, to answer no comment, or to say that you prefer not to answer this question, that its too personal.  

Right now, it appears you have a much larger problem (as far as VA benefits goes):  The diagnosis of "adjustment disorder".  

I suggest you ask the doctor what does "adjusmtent disorder mean"?  Listen carefully.  

[Buck52]

I would be careful as to what you mention to the VA- L.C.S.W. or your VA- Psychiatrist  anything before your military.

If there's records of it then they will dig them up that's for sure..and use that against you in adjudication of your claim if your claiming Mental Disorders such as any mental disorder  like PTSD  OR MST -PTSD.

They will opine on that...that you were diagnose for Mental Disorder's BEFORE YOUR MILITARY there for your Mental Disorders were not military related.

As broncovet mention be honest with your answers  just don't volunteer anything detrimental to your claim.

They will more than likely diagnose you with an Unspecific Mental Disorder  and there's a lot of those,  could be anything  Depression, Mixed Anxiety Disorder, PTSD  or adjustment to a mental disorder ,usually Depression and PTSD go hand an hand

check out  CFR 4.125  Thru  4.130 Mental disorders.