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]

13 hours ago, KC3 said:

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. 

Take a copy of your DD214 and request to speak to a Health Benefits Advisor. If you are rated already from 0%-100% take a copy of your compensation letter. The Health Benefits Advisor should be able to point you in the right direction.

Usually a veteran gets assigned to a primary doctor first for a physical exam, during that exam, you need to tell the dr. all your current diagnosis/meds. It's a good idea to take a copy of all your private medical records; then you get referred to the appropriate specialties like mental health.

But, if you're PTSD is severe enough that you want to hurt yourself or others? You probably should go straight to mental health.

On the issue of being diagnosed PTSD, depression, anxiety by a civilian dr:

Only one can be rated. The VA will combine the three like this "PTSD with depression and anxiety".

If you want to submit a claim for PTSD you'll need to gather all your mental health records, obtain a PTSD DBQ and a nexus of opinion from your civilian dr.

I agree with all Geekysquid advised you on. 

 

keep us updated. Best wishes.

 

[Buck52]

GeekySquid Quoted

''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.''

I wanted to mention that a Veteran does not need to be service connected or rated to be able to use his healthcare benefits at his local ''Veteran Affairs Medical Center.''

Although the Veteran may have a small co-pay.? (I think depending on his income?)

I used the VAMC  for medical care before I was service connected  years before.

To get Health care do as doc25 mention  take your DD -214

& a form of ID  (Driver License/birth certificate SS Card and Regestar.    

 There the clerk will have you to go get your picture VAMC ID Card made and the appropriate information will be place in the card and read through a code they have on the card  your SS # Will not show on this ID Card. 

you will be assign a temp Medical Dr to check you out physically and mentally. and sent to the Appropriate Clinics.

 

This is not hard to do I don't understand what all the confusion is here???

[Pockets]

They say if your non combat issues are related to Military Sexual Trauma (MST) then you can receive free services for those issues.

I was told I qualified for MST services but they charged my insurance an emergency room visit as well as a mental health office visit but I think they were preparing for me to be a liar.  I was not billed for what my insurance wasn't paying but I started complaining about the first one so maybe that helped.

Eventually, they refunded most of the money to my insurance and what they didn't was probably a fair amount for the services I received.  After I was denied service connection they canceled my appointments.

 When I went to register at the VAMC which I had to do before I could see a mental health specialist they also asked about finances and he told me I didn't qualify. He said they'd charge me about a thousand dollars if I went to my therapy session and he didn't care what the MST coordinator said.  He was obviously on to something but it did get worked out.

I say go and register at the VAMC and see what happens. Maybe you'll get in but be prepared to pay an emergency room visit as well as a mental health office visit if you don't qualify. I was only in for about 34 months in the 80's. being a vet isn't enough to get  services. 

[Buck52]

Pockets

I'd be safe to say you got some wrong advise from the VAMC Clerk.

[Buck52]

READ THIS LINK

https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/

[Pockets]

This minimum duty requirement may not apply if any of these are true. You:

• Were discharged for a disability that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service, or
• Were discharged for a hardship or “early out,” or
• Served prior to September 7, 1980

 

 

This explains my circumstance. I had no idea.   I don't qualify because I got out after my childhood friend and co-enlistee was raped tortured and murdered.  hmm I think I read that wrong. I shouldn't have to have minimum because of my hardship? I don't know. At first I was thinking it disqualified me  because I got out early? I don't know. makes no difference at this point. I'm a little more than two years into my appeal with the DRO. Last month they said it was in the final stages of review but nothing has changed on vets.gov or ebennies. I figure this will all be settled when my claim is settled.

 

BUT I had no idea. I did think a person had to be combat vet or something to make them qualify. Maybe they were just hoping i'd go away.

 

I just want to add when Obama care came out the Military did send me the paperwork to apply for VA medical and they said I didn't qualify as well. But maybe that's because the DOD was not acknowledging my married name? I was under the impression at that time my husband made too much money. that was before I went to the VA.

Edited December 1, 2018 by Pockets