Hi all,
I recently had an exam for PTSD. It was a C&P Exam and was at a VA clinic. My stressor was verified and I guess the exam was to see how bad my symptoms were. I am a little concerned though because the psychiatrist that I saw kept calling it a nervous disorder and that I was nervous all the time. He kept asking me if I worried a lot and I told him no. Every time I spoke about my symptoms he kept going back to the nervous problem he said I had. Then after about 30 minutes of him just asking a lot of question with no follow up the exam was over just as fast as it started. He told me to make sure that my doctor is aware of my problems and that was all.
My problem is this, I dont feel as though I was given a chance to really talk about my symptoms and am afraid he thinks I have a nervous condition instead of PTSD. If he thinks I have a nervous condition will I not be able to be service connected for PTSD even though I have verified stressor and symptoms that he never asked about? Any help on this would be great as I feel like I just lost all momentum behind my claim and am very frustrated that I wont be able to service connect this disease to my service.

Thanks

Well, others will contribute lots I reckon, but a couple of points:
The C&P does not "verify stressors" for PTSD, you have to do that by jumping thru an amazing series of VA hoops. This is the only VA disability in which the C&P opinion in regards to stressor is totally disregarded! You can request a copy of your C&P exam report from your regional office, a free and simple task that I would encourage you to do to satisfy yourself as to what he reported and be ready for the next phase of your fight..

I really didnt make that clear. My stressors have been verified by the VA already. The VA set up this exam because they were verified.

That is an interesting switch. The usual is that you put in a claim, they schedule you for the C&P, then they go about verifying stressors. All comes out the same in the end of course.
I would guess in their logic or lack of it, it seems appropriate to get a diagnosis first, if that hurdle is passed, then they can worry about verification.

In my case I gave them the symptoms, they verified the stressors, then scheduled an exam. Like I said, I am concerned that it may come back as an anxiety disorder or a nervous disorder NOT ptsd. If that is the case, stressor or not will they service connect me?

delvek,
I almost hate to say this, and Schwanke would understand why, but are you doing your claim on your own or do you have a veterans service officer (VSO) assisting you?

quote:

My problem is this, I dont feel as though I was given a chance to really talk about my symptoms and am afraid he thinks I have a nervous condition instead of PTSD. If he thinks I have a nervous condition will I not be able to be service connected for PTSD even though I have verified stressor and symptoms that he never asked about? Any help on this would be great as I feel like I just lost all momentum behind my claim and am very frustrated that I wont be able to service connect this disease to my service.

Please click on the link to my website (on the marquee) and read the PTSD material. Print out the PTSD development sheet and complete it. Follow all of the directions, then take it to your therapist, then to your veterans service officer and discuss the issues.

You have recieved some excellent input, and I would offer a little from my experience.

I have had three C&P exams for PTSD, and the reason for three is because of my appeals. The exams are also for the purpose of checking for malingering. The last one I had lasted for just over 2 1/2 hours, and they also called and interviewed my wife. The examiner found no evidence of malingering, chronic PTSD, and a GAF of 50%... what that means.. I don't know, but I wait.

The processes is long and do not set yourself for worry.. get some good help as others have suggested. Check with the VA hospital you visit in the records department they will give you your complete file and you can see for yourself the comments made by the examiner.

Best of Luck

Salute

quote:

what that means.. I don't know, but I wait.

I received my response, and chronic ptsd, unemployable, and a GAF50 means that my rating of 50% remains the same.

Also my appeal included separate appeals for connection of PTSD, Hypertension, and heart related illness each filed separate.

The examiner answered all three in the same summary. I offered two Doctors opinions.. one said almost certainly.. the other less likely. The examiner used the one that said less likely (the C&P examiner) that later, because he was sent a request to make an opinion of the other Doctor's response simple said anyone saying almost certainly was speculating.

What the examiner failed to recognize is that any opinion of a doctor is referred to as speculation, because to be absolute is medically impossible. This is why Doctor's say in their diagnoses terms like...the symptoms suggests, almost certainly, less likely, not likely.

When I had found out by accident that the DRO had requested an other opinion from the C&P, and that Doctor had responded with speculation, and the DRO, in my opinion, would use it to refute the other Doctor.

I got busy and gathered many research studies, including the research from Harvard that offered their opinion that there was a clear connection between PTSD, hypertension, and heart illness. The other research I offered were mostly medical institutions. Plus the Doctor that offer the opinion of almost certainly is an Associated Professor at UT Southwestern Medical, and the Head of the Emergency Physcriatic Department at Parkland Hospital.

I found out just a little more information from this experience. The DRO does not really follow "Reasonable Doubt" outlined by the VA that when the opinions are divided the reasonable doubt falls in favor of the Veteran. They do not accept research that supports an opinion unless the opinion is directly named in the research. In other words the Harvard Study would have had to mention my name specifically for it to be accepted by the DRO as evidence in my appeal. The DRO is often a person that does not understand medical research, or medical in general. Mostly they have a high school education at best. I was under the impression they were Doctors, or attorneys that specialized in the area of the Veterans claim.

The solution now becomes obvious and my response will be to see Doctors that know the current studies and research, and make an appointment for them to evaluated me, and offer their opinion. Each experts in the field of hypertension, one in PTSD, one heart, and then one or two others that know the possibilities of the connection and how it applies to my case.

I feel then the DRO will see evidence that is weighted on my side of the claim, and unless he has 7 C&P examiners that will refute each of these Doctors the evidence should be on my side.

I am seriously thinking of starting a small group in our area that will support Veterans in their appeals by offering the financing of Doctor exams outside the VA that are qualified to offer opinions in the area of the Veteran's claim.

My opinion we have many in the Corporations in our area that have funds designated to give back to the community/ plus some well heeled individuals.

My experience says we don't need new laws, but the funding to help our Vet's get the entitlements that they have earned, and advisable if proper evidence is offered.

I put some of my thoughts on a website, and I will add to it as I find ways to get funding for our Vets in my area.

If interested go to.. www.w3usa.com

We don't need to fight back we need to get help presenting proper evidence.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dirty_dawg,

quote:

The examiner answered all three in the same summary. I offered two Doctors opinions.. one said almost certainly.. the other less likely. The examiner used the one that said less likely (the C&P examiner) that later, because he was sent a request to make an opinion of the other Doctor's response simple said anyone saying almost certainly was speculating.

What the examiner failed to recognize is that any opinion of a doctor is referred to as speculation, because to be absolute is medically impossible. This is why Doctor's say in their diagnoses terms like...the symptoms suggests, almost certainly, less likely, not likely.

When I had found out by accident that the DRO had requested an other opinion from the C&P, and that Doctor had responded with speculation, and the DRO, in my opinion, would use it to refute the other Doctor.

You need to discuss this with your VSO. Put in writing (as you did in the post) your opinion of what went down with the rating specialist review of the C&P.
I feel that will benefit you much.

quote:

You need to discuss this with your VSO. Put in writing (as you did in the post) your opinion of what went down with the rating specialist review of the C&P.

I feel that will benefit you much.

Dave,

I really appreciate your input this one, and those before. The experience you offer is priceless, and you charge nothing. A true Veteran and Patriot.

My VSO, is a super guy that is overwhelmed with the work representing Vets and their many claims. He is the power of one against many. He has fought many battle with the regional office, and like the common history we share of our Vietnam experiences he shares some of these battles with the VA.

Combining his help with yours, Internet resources, Medical libraries, Institutions, Doctors (some published), and the VA published research, and now my own experience dealing with the appeals process. I have found some claring problems.

Like many problems they are easier to identify than fix. Before the effects of PTSD took its' toll on me I was a pretty good problem fixer. Now I only have windows of clarity that come and go. When clarity comes I focus on ways to help fix the problems I see our Veterans have dealing with the claims process. If it was not from my own experience I would have never really seen the problems. Now that I have I feel the need to do some repairs for not only for my benefit, but for many other Veterans that can use some help.

My first effort is to offer an example in action, not words. The problem is vast so the first effort is to start with a single step.

Step one will be to pay for medical exams outside the VA C&P Doctor to support the Veteran's claim/ appeal. A law firm to properly write the claim.

The actual expensive of these to areas should be fairly cheap. High side maybe $1,000. For the test say maybe 500 Veterans. Estimate around $700,000 when you add admin costs.

Anyway that is my early plan. I will keep the results posted on the new site I am putting together... www.w3usa.com .. This will be a non commercial site providing information only.

I am getting to long in my post as usual.. Bottom line, Thanks for your help.

Salute