Claimed PTSD

[freedog89]

Hello Everyone. Just looking for thoughts and opinions if you have time. I put in a claim for PTSD because I am having flashbacks, nightmares, and cannot sleep. So I filed a claim for PTSD. I submitted my eval documenting combat, received a CAR, submitted article where people got blown up, submitted duty assignment of Bahrain.  I had a disability of adjustment disorder with anxiety at 10 percent. Now they have given me 30 percent and changed it to GAD. I know every case is different and both exams was by the same doctor. Have not received my letter yet. I think the doctor would like for me to go get seen by by a professional. I will once I get an appointment. I have all the symptoms with migraines like crazy, GERD, sleep disorder, and other issues. I am blessed with 30 percent.  If it was you how would you go about getting a higher percent? I hope everybody the best in their journey.

[pacmanx1]

5 hours ago, GBArmy said:

freedog89 Advise from Shrek and Pacmanx1 is solid. Consider that you are trying to go from now 30% to 50 or 70%; that's serious change. I would do what's been advised; ask your doc to put you in for the eval at the VA. Once you get it, then get an IMO from an outside specialist. You may be able to get the increase/change in disability for MH without it, but for higher level ratings especially it helps with additional professional evidence. IMHO it is a good investment. Good luck.

For the records and to make things more clearer, If a veteran gets a referral to a mental health specialist at VA, he/she would not have to pay for an outside IMO. I will admit that I have been blessed and have never paid for an outside IMO/IME.  All of my IMOs/IMEs have come from the VA Health Care System or the VA Community Care System.  I will have to agree that they are a good investment but I could never afford them. A VA psychiatrist/psychologist diagnosis of PTSD would be all that the veteran needs.  Of course  the in-service event, a current diagnosis and a nexus with a good medical rationale of how they are all connected/related. 

[Buck52]

15 hours ago, freedog89 said:

Hello Everyone. Just looking for thoughts and opinions if you have time. I put in a claim for PTSD because I am having flashbacks, nightmares, and cannot sleep. So I filed a claim for PTSD. I submitted my eval documenting combat, received a CAR, submitted article where people got blown up, submitted duty assignment of Bahrain.  I had a disability of adjustment disorder with anxiety at 10 percent. Now they have given me 30 percent and changed it to GAD. I know every case is different and both exams was by the same doctor. Have not received my letter yet. I think the doctor would like for me to go get seen by by a professional. I will once I get an appointment. I have all the symptoms with migraines like crazy, GERD, sleep disorder, and other issues. I am blessed with 30 percent.  If it was you how would you go about getting a higher percent? I hope everybody the best in their journey.

I hope you put in a claim for the sleep disorder too? if you filed for the PTSD And with all the evidence you submitted  its likely they will service connect you for PTSD  depending on your symptoms as  how they rate you,.

And if you had sleep disorders while you were in the military and you have records of that and you still have the OSA  You definitely need to file for sleep apnea , you need a diagnose for it so ask your PCP to refer you to the sleep clinic and get diagnosed and they will more than likely prescribe you a C-pap machine medically to use every night.

If you have a Myhealthevet account  you can download the progress notes (medical reports) make copies and use those that is favorable to your sleep apnea claim ,  if you get it service connected  its usually a 50% rating just with the use of the breathing machine...>  the C-pap. if you have severe sleep apnea  and its pretty bad  that can bring a 100% rating alone, and if you get a 70% rating for your PTSD Claim that will open the door for the SMC S House bound.

YOU CAN ALSO FILE A SLEEP APNEA CLAIM SECONDARY TO YOUR PTSD but I don't think you will need to do that  if you have the records documenting you had  the sleep Disturbance while in the military and that 90% of it getting service connected and rated.

but you need to file these claims ASAP.

Remember there is no LIMIT on the number of claims we can file , if you have a disabling condition/Injury caused by the military  or started up while in the military  and you have that same condition now  you can file for compensation...and it could very well bring your rating up to the 100% and possibly more  for the SMC (special monthly compensation)

File Those Claims Brother.  ASAP

[freedog89]

They did not diagnose me with PTSD but called it GAD at 30 percent. I am blessed on getting any increase.  I have submitted for sleep disorder but secondary to migraines. Three items were deferred( sleep disorder, neck pain, and FIBROMYALGIA). All secondary to migraines which is service connected at 50 percent. I am trying to get a PTSD exam through the VA because of the flashbacks, nightmares, sweats , and memory loss, and isolation.  The percentage is not important as the right diagnose. I will work with VA to provide that and start working with a VSO, which I spoke to one today. Thanks for all the advice which I am taking onboard.

[pacmanx1]

Once you get a diagnosis from your up coming mental health evaluation then file for an increase in symptoms of PTSD.