PTSD

[Wise Guy]

I had the VA evaluate me for PTSD and I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. I then hired an outside PTSD Psychologist with my own insurance evaluate me and I was diagnosed with moderate PTSD. So now what? Do I get him to type me up a letter of my diagnosis to upload in my files for compensation? 
 

Also, he’s fine with annotating that I’m diagnosed with Severe PTSD instead, but all of the paperwork have already been sent to my insurance that says Moderate PTSD. So will the VA Compensation guys double check with my insurance or will the letter that says Severe PTSD suffice?

[broncovet]

Yes, I would like to see that (policy) challenged in court.  You know, the one where VA requires a VA physician diagnosis of PTSD, not a private doc.  

I mean, gee, VA physicians are often trained in private practice, and private practice physicians are often trained at VA, so that is "arbritrary and capricious".  

[ShrekTheTank]

you will have to go to your VA and get the diagnosis from there.  The RO will deny this based on anyone else's opinion.  Follow the advice above, and you can for sure bring those notes from you personal doctor.

 

[vetquest]

5 hours ago, Dustoff 11 said:

Of course the maximum rating for Anxiety may be less than PTSD

The maximum for PTSD and anxiety are the same.  I have included a letter on PTSD, I do not know it's providence, some of the information is outdated as far as forms and the hyperlinks do not work but it is good information.

va ptsd document.doc

Edited January 16, 2020 by vetquest

[Dustoff1970]

Even though you may meet the criterial and qualifications for a VA service connection disability you may not be able to receive an important formal doctors nexus opinion or DBQ stating your disability is due to your service or another service connected condition because some doctors and their staffs are lazy, indifferent or hostile to vets receiving VA money.

Here is what has worked for me since 1987 to present day.  I have submitted copies of VA, Army, private medical records and other evidence with my numerous claims and appeals with almost 100 percent success and won those claims/appeals without a doctors nexus statement with only one recent exception where the paid for opinion was also successful.  I have been 100% P&T since 98 and now also with SMC-S.  

IF you contact me I can send you a detailed list of the medical and other evidence that has won my claims and appeals.  What has worked for me is no guarantee it will work for you.

It is a disservice IMHO for anyone to discourage a vet from filing a disability claim just because they cannot get some chicken*** doctor to fill out a DBQ or sign a nexus statement as the vet may still have the other medical and non medical evidence in their files or possession to win. 

I encourage vets to seek opinions of others and do their own research as I have done.

Some vets like to brag about their receiving a VA or private doctors nexus opinion free of charge or it was paid for by their insurance or others and I congratulate them on their good fortune.  I have learned and worked the hard way for my benefits and proud of it.

I learned many years ago to in my case to correctly assume the VARO will deny my claim with a BS statement like "NO EVIDENCE" and then I have to appeal to the BVA or higher U.S. CAVC court which I have done on my own successfully.  This has created jealously on part of some other vets.  Too Bad they can still get happy.

My comment is not legal advice as I am not a lawyer, paralegal or VSO representative.