PTSD c and p exams results. What should i expect?

[armyguy]

 

1. Diagnostic Summary --------------------- Does the Veteran have a diagnosis of PTSD that conforms to DSM-5 criteria based on today's evaluation? [X] Yes [ ]

No 2. Current Diagnoses -------------------- a. Mental Disorder Diagnosis #1: Panic Disorder Mental Disorder Diagnosis #2: PTSD Mental Disorder Diagnosis #3: Unspecified Depressive Disorder

b. Medical diagnoses relevant to the understanding or management of the mental health disorder (to include TBI): Per the veteran: None. He reported some physical symptoms related to his anxiety and psychotropic medications. Specifically, he reported that he takes muscle relaxers a couple of times per week for the stomach cramps that he experiences when he has a panic attack. He also takes Zantac on occasion. He reported that he was prescribed Viagra to counter the effects of Lexapro, but has not really been taking it. He denied ever experiencing a head injury, seizures, LOCs, or having been diagnosed with TBI. 3. Differentiation of symptoms ------------------------------ a.

Does the Veteran have more than one mental disorder diagnosed? Page 17 of 116 [X] Yes [ ] No b.

Is it possible to differentiate what symptom(s) is/are attributable to each diagnosis? [X] Yes [ ] No [ ] Not applicable (N/A) If yes, list which symptoms are attributable to each diagnosis and discuss whether there is any clinical association between these diagnoses:

Panic Disorder: Panic attacks (up to 2-3 times per day); fear of having another panic attack; fear of consequences of panic attack; avoidance of situations that may cause a panic attack.

PTSD: Please see PTSD Symptom Checklist below. Also accounts for compulsive checking behaviors related to concerns about safety. Unspecified Depressive Disorder: Mood symptoms including feelings of depression; problems with appetite; changes in weight. Symptoms common to Panic Disorder and PTSD: Anxiety; Concerns about safety; checking behaviors. Symptoms common to PTSD and Unspecified Depressive Disorder: Anhedonia; Sleep difficulties. Symptoms common to all 3: Persistent negative emotional state; Memory/Concentration problems; Rumination; Social Withdrawal. c. Does the Veteran have a diagnosed traumatic brain injury (TBI)? [ ] Yes [X] No [ ] Not shown in records reviewed

4. Occupational and social impairment -------------------------------------

a. Which of the following best summarizes the Veteran's level of occupational and social impairment with regards to all mental diagnoses? (Check only one) [X] Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking and/or mood b. For the indicated occupational and social impairment, is it possible to differentiate which impairment is caused by each mental disorder? [ ] Yes [X] No [ ] Not Applicable (N/A)

Criterion A: Exposure to actual or threatened a) death, b) serious injury, c) sexual violence, in one or more of the following ways: [X] Directly experiencing the traumatic event(s) Criterion B: Presence of (one or more) of the following intrusion symptoms associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred: [X] Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s). [X] Recurrent distressing dreams in which the content and/or affect of the dream are related to the traumatic event(s). [X] Marked physiological reactions to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s). Criterion Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic events(s) occurred, as evidenced by one or both of the following: [X] Avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s). [X] Avoidance of or efforts to avoid external reminders (people, places, conversations, activities, objects, situations) that arouse distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s). Criterion Negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two (or more) of the following: [X] Persistent, distorted cognitions about the cause or consequences of the traumatic event(s) that lead the individual to blame himself/herself or others. [X] Persistent negative emotional state (e.g., fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame). [X] Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities. [X] Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others.

Criterion I: Which stressor(s) contributed to the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis?:

[X] Stressor #1 [X] Stressor #2

OPINION: The examination of this 36-year-old Army OIF veteran, which included a clinical interview, psychometric testing and review of his C-File (through VBMS/VVA)/CPRS/JLV records, indicates that he meets DSM-5 criteria for diagnoses of Panic Disorder, PTSD, and Unspecified Depressive Disorder (secondary to his anxiety disorders and their significant impact on his functioning), all of which are at least as likely as not (50% or greater probability) caused by or a result of his military experiences and a fear of hostile military or terrorist activity (i.e., fear of mortar rounds during service and his specified trauma events.) It is recommended that .....continue to engage in individual psychotherapy and psychiatric medication management in order to reduce his symptomatology.

[Patton]

"at least as likely as not (50% or greater probability)" is the key words. You should be granted for PTSD but you will have to wait and see what they rate you at. If this is a claim (not an appeal or RAMP), mine normally took about a month for a rating decision on eBenefits. Below is how they should rate PTSD:

General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders:

 

                            Total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms as:

                                          gross impairment in thought processes or communication;

                                          persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate

                                          behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent

                                          inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance

                                          of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory

                                          loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name              100

 

                            Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas,

                                          such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood,

                                          due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals

                                          which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical,

                                          obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting

                                          the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively;

                                          impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods

                                          of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and

                                          hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including

                                          work or a worklike setting); inability to establish and maintain

                                          effective relationships                                                                                       70

 

                            Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and

                                          productivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect; circumstantial,

                                          circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once

                                          a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment

                                          of short- and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learned

                                          material, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; impaired

                                          abstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in

                                          establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships          50

 

                            Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work

                                          efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational

                                          tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine

                                          behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms

                                          as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or

                                          less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as

                                          forgetting names, directions, recent events)                                                       30

 

                            Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms

                                          which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational

                                          tasks only during periods of significant stress, or; symptoms controlled

                                          by continuous medication                                                                                      10

 

                            A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not

                                          severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social

                                          functioning or to require continuous medication                                                  0

Best of Luck.

[doc25]

8 hours ago, armyguy said:

 

1. Diagnostic Summary --------------------- Does the Veteran have a diagnosis of PTSD that conforms to DSM-5 criteria based on today's evaluation? [X] Yes [ ]

No 2. Current Diagnoses -------------------- a. Mental Disorder Diagnosis #1: Panic Disorder Mental Disorder Diagnosis #2: PTSD Mental Disorder Diagnosis #3: Unspecified Depressive Disorder

b. Medical diagnoses relevant to the understanding or management of the mental health disorder (to include TBI): Per the veteran: None. He reported some physical symptoms related to his anxiety and psychotropic medications. Specifically, he reported that he takes muscle relaxers a couple of times per week for the stomach cramps that he experiences when he has a panic attack. He also takes Zantac on occasion. He reported that he was prescribed Viagra to counter the effects of Lexapro, but has not really been taking it. He denied ever experiencing a head injury, seizures, LOCs, or having been diagnosed with TBI. 3. Differentiation of symptoms ------------------------------ a.

Does the Veteran have more than one mental disorder diagnosed? Page 17 of 116 [X] Yes [ ] No b.

Is it possible to differentiate what symptom(s) is/are attributable to each diagnosis? [X] Yes [ ] No [ ] Not applicable (N/A) If yes, list which symptoms are attributable to each diagnosis and discuss whether there is any clinical association between these diagnoses:

Panic Disorder: Panic attacks (up to 2-3 times per day); fear of having another panic attack; fear of consequences of panic attack; avoidance of situations that may cause a panic attack.

PTSD: Please see PTSD Symptom Checklist below. Also accounts for compulsive checking behaviors related to concerns about safety. Unspecified Depressive Disorder: Mood symptoms including feelings of depression; problems with appetite; changes in weight. Symptoms common to Panic Disorder and PTSD: Anxiety; Concerns about safety; checking behaviors. Symptoms common to PTSD and Unspecified Depressive Disorder: Anhedonia; Sleep difficulties. Symptoms common to all 3: Persistent negative emotional state; Memory/Concentration problems; Rumination; Social Withdrawal. c. Does the Veteran have a diagnosed traumatic brain injury (TBI)? [ ] Yes [X] No [ ] Not shown in records reviewed

4. Occupational and social impairment -------------------------------------

a. Which of the following best summarizes the Veteran's level of occupational and social impairment with regards to all mental diagnoses? (Check only one) [X] Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking and/or mood b. For the indicated occupational and social impairment, is it possible to differentiate which impairment is caused by each mental disorder? [ ] Yes [X] No [ ] Not Applicable (N/A)

Criterion A: Exposure to actual or threatened a) death, b) serious injury, c) sexual violence, in one or more of the following ways: [X] Directly experiencing the traumatic event(s) Criterion B: Presence of (one or more) of the following intrusion symptoms associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred: [X] Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s). [X] Recurrent distressing dreams in which the content and/or affect of the dream are related to the traumatic event(s). [X] Marked physiological reactions to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s). Criterion Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic events(s) occurred, as evidenced by one or both of the following: [X] Avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s). [X] Avoidance of or efforts to avoid external reminders (people, places, conversations, activities, objects, situations) that arouse distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s). Criterion Negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two (or more) of the following: [X] Persistent, distorted cognitions about the cause or consequences of the traumatic event(s) that lead the individual to blame himself/herself or others. [X] Persistent negative emotional state (e.g., fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame). [X] Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities. [X] Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others.

Criterion I: Which stressor(s) contributed to the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis?:

[X] Stressor #1 [X] Stressor #2

OPINION: The examination of this 36-year-old Army OIF veteran, which included a clinical interview, psychometric testing and review of his C-File (through VBMS/VVA)/CPRS/JLV records, indicates that he meets DSM-5 criteria for diagnoses of Panic Disorder, PTSD, and Unspecified Depressive Disorder (secondary to his anxiety disorders and their significant impact on his functioning), all of which are at least as likely as not (50% or greater probability) caused by or a result of his military experiences and a fear of hostile military or terrorist activity (i.e., fear of mortar rounds during service and his specified trauma events.) It is recommended that .....continue to engage in individual psychotherapy and psychiatric medication management in order to reduce his symptomatology.

That's a favorable nexus.

You meet the occupational and social impairment criteria for a rating of 70%.

Now it's up to the ratings scheduler to rate you correctly. 

Congrats!