PTSD exam

[Rick33]

I have a non combat PTSD exam today. Any advice? Also will they focus on my childhood? 

there are things they don’t need to know about me growing up. 

All in all I’m just going to be myself.  

I’m taking my wife, my rep says she shouldn’t chime in until the examiner concludes and my counselor says to let the exam flow naturally and if she needs to contribute she can. Just curious on opinions

 

Edited June 27, 2019 by Rick33
Added more info

[Buck52]

I'm not sure if a non combat exam is the same as a combat PTSD Forensic exam?? I think there somewhat different but in general it maybe all about the same  depends on what traumatized you

  as for as the questions. Yes they might ask about your childhood, just answer all the questions honestly, they can go back and check your medical records when you were a child so be honest.

If they see you had ptsd when you were a kid  then they will say that you PTSD  Before military AND BE DENIED.

They watch your every move   your eye  contact gestures./movments ect,,,ect,,  usually they will be reading off the computer   questions the VA wants to be answered and the examiners will throw in some of their own. just be honest,  if they catch you in one lie  that's all it takes to ruin your credibility .

I have combat PTSD and my examiner ask me why I am just now filing a claim for it?  I had it for years and always hid it or was in denial about it...my answer to that question was Well I am sick and tired of being sick and tired and putting my entire family through hell most every day but my main focus was to get help and hopefully change my behavior and feel better and have less fear less pain less anxiety & more trust,Sir this is why I ask VA for help and started receiving therapy  which does help with my high anxiety by some of the tools  the therapy taught me.  like breathing techniques ect,,ect,,

just tell about your worst day, and never say you will be alright  but do mention  your in therapy if you are ? ect,,ect,,

Ms Tbird has some do's and don't at your PTSD C&P here on hadit   you may want to read up on them.

my advice is just always answer the questions honestly.

 

Edited June 27, 2019 by Buck52

[Berta]

A Non Combat PTSD  claim needs proof of an inservice  stressor, accident, or any incident that gave you PTSD.

When I worked at a vet center, we had one PTSD vet who was none combat due to his MOS, and received 100% P & T. His MOS involved mortuary duty in Vietnam.

There are many veterans who have  non combat PTSD that has been service connected.

 

[vetquest]

I am one of the veterans that berta mentioned.  Just do as buck52 says and you will be all right.

[Buck52]

The C&P Exams are some what different from a non combat PTSD Veteran and a combat veteran   but traumatize  means the veteran was traumatize  while in military  not before.

The questions are ask about what traumatized the veteran  Like MST  The questions are different from a combat veteran and same with a Non combat vet...but if any soldier was traumatized while in military   can get PTSD   The C&P Exams are based on the trauma but the trauma is different  so different questions are ask.

I am bases this on visiting with other non combat veterans  and also combat veterans  and MST Veterans.

[Patton]

I filed for non-combat PTSD but received a rating for Persistent Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress. This has now changed to Persistent Depressive Disorder with Insomnia. Due to it being non-combat, they would not rate it as PTSD. I know that PTSD is not only an combat issue, but at least I am receiving help for my conditions.

The first time I received a C & P Exam it was with a VA Contractor. Most of my questions were about my childhood and my marriage. There was no questions about what happened in the Military, which left me confused. I found it very hard to express myself with him. I was denied.

I refiled and the Second C & P was with a VA Doctor. Before going into my appointment, they had me fill out a questionnaire. She reviewed my questionnaire and then started by telling me that she had reviewed my file. It showed because she truly understood why I am having so many issues with my daily life. We talked about many things to include, what happened in service, work history,  marriage and what is going on in my life currently. She really made me feel comfortable talking to her. She suggested ways for me to deal with things that I normally don't do well at. I know that is not what a C & P Exam is for, but it really helped me. Then she pointed out other things in my records that I needed to address. My appointment lasted about an hour and ten minutes. I was awarded 30%.

My third C & P Exam was with VES. It was for Insomnia. She also had reviewed my records before my appointment. She stated that it will be added to my depression / anxiety disability. She asked me questions about when I started having sleep issues and what are the triggers that is causing my sleep issues. We talked about why my depression / anxiety, sleep apnea, GERD and pain affects my sleep. She looked at my CPAP records and stated that I need to make an appointment to see a sleep Doctor, to get a handle on my sleep apnea. She was very nice.

Even though they didn't raise my disability for Insomnia, I am happy with 30%. I do not understand why they dropped the Anxiety, because I believe that it is more of an issue than the depression. I may address it someday, but at this point, I don't have the energy to deal with it.

I know this post was to late to help you and I hope all went well with your C & P. Hopefully this will help others.