How do I get into VA hospital to see mental health specialist?

[KC3]

I am seeing 2 separate psychiatrists. I have been diagnosed with PTSD, depression and anxiety from non combat. Both say it is from my military service. I would like to get into a VA facility and see a psychiatrist or other mental health professional. Is this possible or do I have to make a claim and be diagnosed by a VA contractor first? Thanks.

I also conducted a search for this to no avail. 

[Buck52]

Beings VA Requires a MH Diagnoses come from the VA Dr's only (PTSD)

You should request your  VA PCP give you a Referral to the VA MH Clinic...There they will give you an evaluation and confirm your Diagnose  to an Unspecific MH Dx,  they will determine what your condition will be  from the DSM 5 Testing Requirements.

Also they will offer you treatment and medications...please use this treatment to help you cope and learn new ways to deal with some of the pain and stress and Anxinety your Having to cope with.  it will also make a records trail when you file a claim for whatever your diagnose with?  like...>. MDD/PTSD or any unspecific MH Dx.

Edited November 30, 2018 by Buck52

[broncovet]

Im confused..you say you are seeing 2 psychiatrists, but then are having trouble getting an appointment?  

If I understand what you are saying, you want to be hospitalized for a mental health disorder at VA.

While I dont recommend lying, if you go to an ER and tell them you are suicidal, then they pretty much send you to the hospital.  

I only advise this if you ARE suicidal.  

They generally dont hospitalize you unless you have severe symptoms.  If you are having severe symptoms, then report them, probably at the ER or prime care.   Tell them if you think you need hospitalization, and be prepared to answer, "why".  

If you have substance abuse, or alcohol abuse, my VA has an entire building just for that.  

Its easier to get in to the hospital than it is to get out.  Unless there is a compelling reason, I suggest staying out of the hospital.  Compelling reasons are, of course, SI/HI, or even a desire to hurt yourself or others.  Its a good idea to get any needed treatment.  

Edited November 30, 2018 by broncovet

[FormerMember]

Let's be certain we are discussing the same parameters gentlemen. Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) doctors are the only ones who can diagnose a mental illness when you file a claim or their assigns such as VES or QTC subcontractors. Do not confuse them with the VHA doctors you see at a VAMC who are not involved in VBA compensation decisions. They are free to diagnose you with whatever ails you including MDD issues but are not allowed to make a nexus decision for compensation purposes.

Now, with that said, I get my clients a new, Private IMO nexus letter after the VBA doctors  deny a claim. And I win. 

KC3 appears to be seeking mental health counseling at a VAMC which is wholly different from a filed claim for same. The VHA and the VBA are two different arms of VA and have little in common. From KC3's data, it shows s/he is not service connected for anything. If it has been over two years since separation, they will have to pay for the VA services unless they are indigent. In order to avail yourself of free VA medical, you have to be rated 100% or P&T, I believe. It isn't my area of expertise though so do not quote me on that specific comment.

Edited November 30, 2018 by asknod

[KC3]

I just want to get into the system and get a dx by the VA itself so it will be easier to file a claim when the time comes. 

Did my statement suggest that I had serious issues? I have my moments but nothing serious. 

I go to one psychiatrist to talk who also  fills out DBQ's for vets and the other gentlemen I go to every 6 to 8 weeks prescribes me medication to help me out with the BS. 

I have problems in social and occupational settings big time

The reason I asked this question is because I am told I am not eligible since I am not disabled; however I am a veteran. 

Edited November 30, 2018 by KC3

[Buck52]

6 hours ago, Buck52 said:

Beings VA Requires a MH Diagnoses come from the VA Dr's only (PTSD)

You should request your  VA PCP give you a Referral to the VA MH Clinic...There they will give you an evaluation and confirm your Diagnose  to an Unspecific MH Dx,  they will determine what your condition will be  from the DSM 5 Testing Requirements.

Also they will offer you treatment and medications...please use this treatment to help you cope and learn new ways to deal with some of the pain and stress and Anxinety your Having to cope with.  it will also make a records trail when you file a claim for whatever your diagnose with?  like...>. MDD/PTSD or any unspecific MH Dx.

 

4 hours ago, KC3 said:

I just want to get into the system and get a dx by the VA itself so it will be easier to file a claim when the time comes. 

Did my statement suggest that I had serious issues? I have my moments but nothing serious. 

I go to one psychiatrist to talk who also  fills out DBQ's for vets and the other gentlemen I go to every 6 to 8 weeks prescribes me medication to help me out with the BS. 

I have problems in social and occupational settings big time

The reason I asked this question is because I am told I am not eligible since I am not disabled; however I am a veteran. 

I still stick to what I mention in my above post here, as to your question you ask. and if your filing a compensation Claim?

if you are having MH Problems and your a veteran then like I said go to your  VAMC Request your PCP to give you a Referral  to VA MH Clinic..you need a diagnoses from THE VA Mental Heath Clinic by one of there Dr's.

if you file a claim 21-526 ez  or VA Form 21-0781a  attach evidence of records and the then you need to get a nexus letter from a qualified Dr opinion that your Diagnoses is related to your military service from reading your medical records & examine you and from what you did in the military(MOS)  from being exposed to trauma (PTSD)  or Depression unspecific Diagnoses  this can be a private Dr if you can find a Dr that will? or VA.Dr

..If you can find a VA Dr that will to nexus your condition your diagnose with,  to get compensation.

Depending on your symptoms  and the  severity of them as to your rating percentage.

Unless your a combat Veteran  then you should have a CIB on your DD -214   VA concedes  your trauma stressor's for PTSD/Depression : 

Note: you don't necessary have to be a combat veteran to file a claim .

if you were traumatized with anything while in the military  then your eligible to file your claim.

your not disabled? 

if you get a high rating for PTSD by the VA  then your considered disabled  with  Mental Health Condition ,  although this type of disability is not visual  as a physical disability but a mental health condition which is a  major disability for Veterans.

Edited November 30, 2018 by Buck52

[GeekySquid]

8 hours ago, KC3 said:

The reason I asked this question is because I am told I am not eligible since I am not disabled; however I am a veteran

I think part of what you are seeking is not setting in, but Asknod is on the right track, I believe.

If you are NOT currently rated with a Service Connected condition then you likely don't have a VAMC/VHA Primary Care Physician (PCP) and someone is telling you that you would have to pay for care if you get it.

IF that is accurate, then some other questions come into play

Does your nearby VAMC have a walk-in Mental Health Clinic? or at least walk in hours? many do. If so, go there, tell them you are nuts, and start speaking to someone. They will do an intake eval on you. To be honest they may say, initially, you have to pay something.

If you have private insurance, give them that info. They will bill them first and you will have a copay.

you need to read these specific links and follow other links on these pages to see how you fit in

https://www.va.gov/health-care/
https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/
http://nationalincomelimits.vaftl.us/
https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/cost/index.asp
https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/

were you a combat vet? this is not about having combat related ptsd, this is just about priority treatment group. you can be a combat  vet and get ptsd from a non combat event.

the VAMC assigns vets to 1 of 8 priority groups, being a combat vet puts you in a higher group for medical treatment. this is all explained in the links above.

This is important when it comes to paying for services and or co-pays.

You should be ready for and aware that before you get A SERVICE CONNECTED RATING you will likely get a bill from the VA if your private insurance does not pay them. read the links I provided. if you are low income, near homeless, or homeless you won't pay much of anything if anything at all.

Once you get service connected at 30% or more the costs change in relation to getting treated for your rated conditions. Non rated treatment will cost you more.

if you get SC'd at 100% you will not pay anything for any treatment, if you have insurance the va is still required by law to bill them for your care or part of it.

Now about making a claim.

Asknod is correct that only a VA doc or their assigned is allowed to make an initial PTSD evaluation for rating purposes. These are NOT the VAMC docs you will normally see for treatment and or therapy.

To see these docs you literally must have a C&P exam and in that exam they will decide if they believe you have PTSD and if it is caused by your military service, and how bad it affects your daily life and ability to earn an income.

You don't NEED to be getting treatment at a VA hospital or clinic to get a C&P, but having treatment records from the VAMC MH  docs helps you.

If you already have an Ebenefits account or Vets.Gov account then log in and file your claim. or if you just want to save the earliest filing date, up to 1 year, file an Intent to File a Claim.

To get an SC rating you need all the Elements of a Caluzza Triangle. you can find lots about that on here.

try this link....https://www.hadit.com/caluza-triangle-defines-necessary-service-connection/

This has to be MEDICALLY Documented in your records:

1) Current Diagnosis.   (No diagnosis, no Service Connection.)

2) In Service Event or Aggravation.

3) Nexus (link- cause and effect- connection) or Doctor’s Statement close to: “The Veteran’s (current diagnosis) is at least as likely due to x Event in military service”

If you note 1 there, that is value of going to see the VAMC MH folks. Number 2 and 3 are in your Military Service and Treatment Records. The MH folks at VAMC will say yep he's nuts... presents xx and blah and yyy.... the C&P doc is the one that says yep he has ptsd.

YOU need to order your own C-file via Janesville, WI. Info on doing that is on here and the VA website. You want to request every damn type of record they have on you. be specific and then add 'everything else" in a separate line on the request. This will come on a CDROM and takes at least 60 days,.

When you make your claim you will upload or mail in all your civilian treatment records, opinions, etc. so they are included in your records in the VBMS. Even though you do this, take copies to the C&P and make sure that doc knows they are there.

The VA form asks for, or used to ask for, multiple stressor events, suggesting you needed more than one event. If a single event was significant enough, then it will suffice. It MUST be documented in service. Were you in a plane crash as you headed out on leave? did an raging GI stab you because he thought you and his wife were up to something? whatever the event it must be documented.

The VA has 5 mandatory explicit phrases required in relation to service connection.

1. “is due to” (100% sure)
2. “more likely than not” (greater than 50%)
3. “at least as likely as not” (equal to or greater than 50%)
4. “not at least as likely as not” (less than 50%)
5. “is not due to” (0%) "

your  C&P doc HAS to include 1, 2 or 3 for you to be SC'd. IF 4 or 5 is used you get bupkiss. no service connection.

With this all in hand your next issue will be, if rated at what level will you be rated.

PTSD has 0, 10, 30 , 50, 70 and 100% levels. each evaluates the level your PTSD affects the ability of the average person to earn an income that is more than marginal.

 If for example you are trained and used to earn 100k but your PTSD causes you to lose jobs and you have not been able to make more than 24k for several years, your ability to earn an income is significantly impaired.

VA standards are different than the standards for Social Security Disability, don't confuse the two.

read the DBQ for what to expect on the exam. understand what makes up the different levels. The levels are found here

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/4.130

all Mental Health diagnosis follow the same general rating table as on that page.

be aware that the specific things listed for each level are not mandated, set in stone, must have to get that level. They are all examples. you might have stuff from every group. You might have stuff NOT in any of the groups but is an equivalent problem. The doc will say if they are cumulatively equal to a specific level.

That should tie you over for a couple days research. hope it helps. good luck. come back and ask more questions after you read what is already posted