VA Psychologist not reporting

[jamesriley1990]

Reluctantly I have been seeking treatment at the VA for my PTSD.  I was reading over the notes of my psychologist and she did a PTSD screening of me and she is misreporting or not reporting things that I stated during our last session. I told her that I was having nightmares about being in the military and that all I could remember was I was feeling scared and angry and during recent events, I felt as if I was reliving my past experiences. What can I do in this situation? 

[shrekthetank1]

Remember always be your true self.  You did great!  

[jamesriley1990]

my claim went from preparation for decision back to under review and has a completion date of September 2019

[GBArmy]

It may seem arbitrary that the claim is moving backwards for you but it is not an uncommon thing. After all, this is the VA you are dealing with, so we shouldn't be surprised on any thing they do. It may be a coach or someone noticed it was not developed in a certain area and they decided to do more work on it to make it complete. But it doesn't necessarily mean something bad regarding your claim. As you see over and over on this forum, you just have to be patient and wait till it comes to you. Good luck.

[jamesriley1990]

I have been assigned a C&P exam for PTSD with LHI. I informed them of my availability and they will schedule me within the next 2 weeks. Getting there, slowly but surely!

[Buck52]

You can ask the therapist or phys ABOUT WHAT WAS SAID IN YOUR MEETING WITH THEM

that noting nothing like this was said during our session.?

..unless I didn't hear you correct?

 ayou can copy what was said of myhealtevet notes and confront them with it   they can make a Addendum they can't take it out once its in but they can correct what was actually said .

if they say that can;t  ten tell them your going to take this to the Hospital Director.

[jamesriley1990]

8 hours ago, Buck52 said:

You can ask the therapist or phys ABOUT WHAT WAS SAID IN YOUR MEETING WITH THEM

that noting nothing like this was said during our session.?

..unless I didn't hear you correct?

 ayou can copy what was said of myhealtevet notes and confront them with it   they can make a Addendum they can't take it out once its in but they can correct what was actually said .

if they say that can;t  ten tell them your going to take this to the Hospital Director.

Buck, I did do this and in the end, they got me in contact with the MST coordinator.  The psychologist gave me a questionnaire which I filled out and that was amended into her previous notes.

[Buck52]

OIC  

Once something is entered in your records or notes  it can't be taken out it will always be there  but the Amendment should correct it.

These people say things in their report after we leave they just make things up,  usually it don't amount to anything but some times if they flat out lie   call them on it.

I sometimes ask my therapist on my next session with her  ...I take copies of myhealthevet notes   *(Her Report during that session) and if she says something that we never talked about...I take the copies and ask her about it  they have a sudden memory lasp  but its there in black and white....''you never said this or that..why did you write in your report?...Oh well I' l l make an amends to it. ok good..but mam why did you write that  when we never talked about that?  make them feel guilty  because there caught red handed  and it will stop this BS from happening.

They will know your listening to them and that you do check your Notes after every session.  this will stop this crap from going on..if you don't call them on it  it will just keep getting worse.

(jmo)

[jamesriley1990]

2 hours ago, Buck52 said:

OIC  

Once something is entered in your records or notes  it can't be taken out it will always be there  but the Amendment should correct it.

These people say things in their report after we leave they just make things up,  usually it don't amount to anything but some times if they flat out lie   call them on it.

I sometimes ask my therapist on my next session with her  ...I take copies of myhealthevet notes   *(Her Report during that session) and if she says something that we never talked about...I take the copies and ask her about it  they have a sudden memory lasp  but its there in black and white....''you never said this or that..why did you write in your report?...Oh well I' l l make an amends to it. ok good..but mam why did you write that  when we never talked about that?  make them feel guilty  because there caught red handed  and it will stop this BS from happening.

They will know your listening to them and that you do check your Notes after every session.  this will stop this crap from going on..if you don't call them on it  it will just keep getting worse.

(jmo)

she explained to me that essentially I did not disclose my stressors to her and when she hit no it just auto-populated the rest of the answers. I understand the confusion since I went from a private psych to a VA psych and just started where I last left off from the private psych. With all my fears and reservations the VA has been good to me, and it has been helping my daily life.

[Buck52]

Roger that,

  but its still a good Ideal to check your notes after 3 days from your sessions   Just to  to stay on top of things.

[Buck52]

I think your phys doc is full of it ,  going from your private Dr to a VA Dr..maybe it was a little confusing to her  but I really doubt it.

When you were evaluated for PTSD and you either talk with a PHYS Dr or  L.C.S.W. about your stressor's and this is all put in to the computer to be on Record.....>at the time of your evaluation

I had PTSD Forensic  C&P  Exam  and the Examiner mention to me that ''she has read my records and my stressors   so I will not be asking you any questions today about them and get Your anxiety kicking in more than it has''  I said Thank you Mam.

if you were a combat veteran the stressors are conceded and  they don't have to ask you about them.

Anyway just keep going to your sessions and  check your notes   That's  up to you if you challenge what was said.

[john999]

If you are rated just  30% for MST/PTSD you have your foot in the door.  I went from 30% to 70% and then TDIU in about one year.  Getting SC'ed is the most important thing.  It is usually a pretty long journey for most of us to get the correct rating, but it is worth it.  

[GeekySquid]

On 4/6/2019 at 1:02 PM, Buck52 said:

You need a PTSD Diagnosis from the VA usually the MH Clinic Dr's

that is not 100% accurate, at least not in my case. I went from claim to C&P. I had a short stop with a VA MD Drug Pusher and an MSW who stated I was inappropriately familiar because I asked her if she had a good thanksgiving with her family.

As a note she was fired for trying to hump the one black guy in our group while writing that all the white guys were trying to be "familiar" with her. The black guy filed a complaint about her trying to get handsy with him, and the rest of us after comparing notes from Blue Button filed complaints about her false claims of being "too familiar."

We found out she was fired for this because she showed up at the group and berated us all for it, then was escorted out by security.

The MD did nothing but urge me to take more and more powerful drugs. She thought a daily dose of Lithium would be nifty for me to take.

The one specific thing about PTSD is the C&P HAS to be done by the VA, but you don't have to have treatment at the VA to get a C&P for PTSD

[Buck52]

Geeky  you could very well be correct, since the Laws governing DSM 5 Have been deleted  the VA has Discovered a new way to diagnose Veterans. however I am referring to the VA DSM 5 Diagnosis Only.

I realize Veterans can get treated for PTSD Outside or from private Dr's  its the VA Diagnose that is in question  not the treatment or where a Veteran can be treated for PTSD.

Please  read this News Buzz  Link below

Since the Brutal unexpected attact  At Ft Hood  Texas  in 2013  on Veterans by US Army Specialist Ivan Lopez   this changed things in the VA Mental Health Diagnoses and treatment for mental health

About the Army specialist Ivan Lopez   the Actual Shooter at Ft Hood a few years ago  2013 I believe? 

Has This disaster changed  the way the VA Diagnose Veterans for PTSD or Other Mental Health Problems ?

Since this happen in 2013  I am not sure when/If this change took effect or if it has been changed as of the current time 2019?

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/katiejmbaker/how-veterans-are-diagnosed-with-ptsd

I have not seen any new regulations for the way the VA Diagnose Veterans for  DSM 5 PTSD  Until I find these changed regulations  I stand by what I mention as to the way Veterans are diagnose by the VA Dr''s  Only.

Edited June 16, 2019 by Buck52 (see edit history)

[Buck52]

Geekysquid  quote

''As a note she was fired for trying to hump the one black guy in our group while writing that all the white guys were trying to be "familiar" with her. The black guy filed a complaint about her trying to get handsy with him, and the rest of us after comparing notes from Blue Button filed complaints about her false claims of being "too familiar."

This has Happen to me just once, I went to see a MSW  this was young well dressed nice looking lady, (maybe 29/30 years old)after we were in her small office I notice she locked the door and slowly unbutton her top two buttons on her blouse showing her cleavage and would bend over in front of me, After I notice what she was doing I never looked at her or touch her in any way,  this seem to irritate her and the session was  cut short...

I never reported her  but I never have seen her anymore either  but she is still here, I see her walking the halls and talking with other veterans....some times I think this can be a scam to get the Veterans in trouble if the lay hands on or inappropriately touch a VA Employee or MH Professional. 

if this ever happens with any Veteran my advise is to get up, excuse yourself and go check out...its optional if the Veteran reports such inappropriate behavior by a MH Professional..but if the Veteran goes through with this  type behavior  it can be  made hard on this Veteran at his VAMC for future appointments and  his/her over all health care. 

[GeekySquid]

2 hours ago, Buck52 said:

have not seen any new regulations for the way the VA Diagnose Veterans for  DSM 5 PTSD

Your statement that I responded to was

"You need a PTSD Diagnosis from the VA usually the MH Clinic Dr' "

My response is that NO you don't need a PTSD DIAGNOSIS from the VA.

What you need is a VA Dr to give you a C&P.

Those are two different things.

your civilian shrink can diagnose you with PTSD and you can run immediately to VA.GOV and apply for compensation.

The VA will arrange for a C&P.

What they won't do is say " you have to be diagnosed by a VA Dr. before you can file a claim"

It is the word DIAGNOSIS in your post that is off target.  Rated for PTSD by a VA Dr.? YES. Diagnosed by a VA Dr? Nope a civilian one can do it just fine.

[GeekySquid]

1 hour ago, Buck52 said:

ome times I think this can be a scam to get the Veterans in trouble i

you could be right you could be wrong.

All I know is that if the guys in the group had not met up for coffee after the group we would have all thought we were the only one that that had happened too

it was bizarre.

On her office wall was her degree from Tulane, which is a pretty impressive school. She made it a point to say she would only go to Tulane because she was raised in New Orleans. Holidays in New Orleans, every holiday, is a little different than in other places.

So making an attempt at normal polite behavior, to your MSW of all people, and have her response placed in your medical file, it is down right bizarre.

I do wonder how many others, beyond my group, she did this too.

[Buck52]

3 hours ago, GeekySquid said:

Your statement that I responded to was

"You need a PTSD Diagnosis from the VA usually the MH Clinic Dr' "

My response is that NO you don't need a PTSD DIAGNOSIS from the VA.

What you need is a VA Dr to give you a C&P.

Those are two different things.

your civilian shrink can diagnose you with PTSD and you can run immediately to VA.GOV and apply for compensation.

The VA will arrange for a C&P.

What they won't do is say " you have to be diagnosed by a VA Dr. before you can file a claim"

It is the word DIAGNOSIS in your post that is off target.  Rated for PTSD by a VA Dr.? YES. Diagnosed by a VA Dr? Nope a civilian one can do it just fine.

Geekysquid   Not sure where your getting this information?

but  you are wrong not me. or I beg to disagree with you on this.

THE VA Has to be the one to make a diagnose for PTSD before service connection can be establish ,also  if the veteran is a combat veteran  &  he/she has has enough concrete probative evidence from the VA MH D'rs &STR'S And other official documents as evidence  he may not be sent to a C&P  and is rated his S.C. and a rating given to this veteran from the symptoms reported...by the VA MH professionals.

[Buck52]

Geekysquid

As member broncovet always mentions

what veterans need first thing when filing a claim  rather or not that claim is for PTSD  or for his bad Hearing or any other condition that he thinks was because of his military service   The Veteran needs 3 things this is called the Calza Triangle

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”

[GeekySquid]

16 minutes ago, Buck52 said:

but  you are wrong not me. or I beg to disagree with you on this.

read this

https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/ptsd/

Can I get disability benefits from VA?

You may be able to get disability benefits if you have symptoms related to a traumatic event (the “stressor”) or your experience with the stressor is related to the PTSD symptoms, and you meet all of the requirements listed below.

All of these must be true:

• The stressor happened during your service, and
• You can’t function as well as you once could because of your symptoms, and
• A doctor has diagnosed you with PTSD

 

notice it does NOT say a VA doctor.

where you find what MUST happen for PTSD is in the rules for the PTSD DBQ. Only a VA Doctor can do the DBQ's.

[jamesriley1990]

4 hours ago, GeekySquid said:

read this

https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/ptsd/

Can I get disability benefits from VA?

You may be able to get disability benefits if you have symptoms related to a traumatic event (the “stressor”) or your experience with the stressor is related to the PTSD symptoms, and you meet all of the requirements listed below.

All of these must be true:

• The stressor happened during your service, and
• You can’t function as well as you once could because of your symptoms, and
• A doctor has diagnosed you with PTSD

 

notice it does NOT say a VA doctor.

where you find what MUST happen for PTSD is in the rules for the PTSD DBQ. Only a VA Doctor can do the DBQ's.

This is true, my private doctors nexus letter and DBQ is what got me a C&P exam and that DBQ is what got me service connection.