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. 

[doc25]

41 minutes ago, GeekySquid said:

ahh this form has someones name and ssn on it.. hopefully it isn't real.

Damn it. it's been deleted and the right one unfilled was attached. I appreciate the heads up. 

Edited December 2, 2018 by doc25

[GeekySquid]

9 hours ago, doc25 said:

been deleted

I hate when I do stuff like that. be assured I did not save or keep it. closed it and messaged you immediately.

 

[Berta]

"The VA is telling me I don't qualify for services. Maybe this is why the NVLSP took my case?"

WOW- NVLSP does not take many individual cases, you are being Represented by Fantastic lawyers!

When they took over Beverly Nehmer's case, long ago-it has changed the lives of THOUSANDs -( Nehmer AO regulations resulting from a class action case.)

 

[Pockets]

51 minutes ago, Berta said:

"The VA is telling me I don't qualify for services. Maybe this is why the NVLSP took my case?"

WOW- NVLSP does not take many individual cases, you are being Represented by Fantastic lawyers!

When they took over Beverly Nehmer's case, long ago-it has changed the lives of THOUSANDs -( Nehmer AO regulations resulting from a class action case.)

 

oh~ well maybe I said this wrong.  I know the NVSP has their own lawyers but in my case, they agreed to take my case pro bono and hold power of attorney. But I'm represented by a lawyer in a firm that also has a power of attorney. NOt sure how it works but the way I understand it the NVLSP actually maintains my power of attorney. The VA has the lawyer with a firm listed as my representation not the NVLSP. I hope that makes sense.

When I asked about RAMP the lawyer did not recommend me to go that route and from what I understood it was discussed with NVLSP.  When I get upset I write them both.

So~I don't want it to sound like the lawyers at NVLSP are representing me. If that is what it sounded like, I apologize. I don't share very well so I'm not always clear.  NVLSP holds power of attorney but my lawyer work with another firm.

I did write my lawyer about this topic.  I asked if I qualify taking out all MST and just dealing with trauma. He said he'd check into things and get back with me later this week.

 

[KC3]

Everyone I've been down with migraine, eye,  and cluster headaches for a couple days so apologies for the delay;  and I never dreamed there would be this much help. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their help and kind words. I have an honorable hardship discharge in which something was going on with a close family member and it caused me a lot of stress. Stress is listed on my exit exam. I also fell 6' and have buddy letters to prove including the doc who wishes he'd sent me for further eval looking back. . I was assaulted on my submarine while in rack sleeping; someone held my feet and then another put a pillow over my head for around 20-30 seconds. I can't prove this because I was afraid to tell anyone but eventually told my wife. I am unable to find anyone who might be able to write me a buddy letter who may have been down where the E1 to E2 and a few E3 slept. Knowing the personnel on the boat I believe that no one would have investigated anyway; maybe the COB but it would have had to get to him. Laugh if you want but it bothers me to this day along with my hardship discharge reason. The Navy also turned their back on me turning my hardship. 

One thing that I will not submit because it doesn't bother me all that bad is I seen someone cut themselves up with a knife on their arms pretty bad. He had to be medivac off boat during heavy sea state on to a ship.

I am finally seeking help and have been encouraged to file a claim by my counselor and psych doc.  

I have been run off jobs and made the first lay off due to my attitude and horrendous past.  Right now I am employed around 8 months per year and my supervisor is a retired Marine and the secondary guy is a Marine both Rated PTSD. They understand and we talk stuff out. We all help each other out with our issues. These guys won't be around forever though. I believe I make over that amount listed on attachments that Geeky Squid left. 

Anyhow, my cup runneth over...

Edited December 4, 2018 by KC3

[McRay]

To chime in with my two bits...

I have been getting mental health treatment from the VA off and on since 78. It seems to be dependent on where you're located as to what you get.. And, as always, if you get lucky you get good care and if not -- well, we all know how that goes. 

In the 80's I saw a MH counselor who worked for the VA on a weekly basis in Las Vegas. After a year of no improvement I just stopped going.

I got private MH counseling in the 90's having given up on the VA

In the early 2000's I went back for counseling in Chico, CA. Things hadn't gotten much better and I ended up going through a divorce that upended my life.

In the 2010's I went back for MH counseling with VA in SW Florida. It was primarily meds and a psychologist (monthly) and PTSD group. Whenever I spoke with the counselor, I felt like he was fighting to stay awake. Meds didn't work and again, more personal/life problems.

Moved to SE AZ and sought MH counseling. Talked to one guy at VA in Tucson who actually seemed like a therapist, but due to my location, he referred me to VA clinic in Sierra Vista. I had a tele conference with Psychiatrist who wanted to put me on meds, but said there isn't anyone available to see one on one. Apparently there is no 'choice' docs available (or funding?) in my area for counseling. I'm going to give it another shot when I have my bi-yearly appt. with PCP this January, but don't have high hopes.

Best of luck to you KC3 and the only 'good' advice I can give you is not to give up on your claim. I have a couple of times and looking back now, would rather I had hung in there. Oh well, it''s part of the problem, I suppose.