Thank you for posting. Take it from one who filed claims including PTSD (related to MST), diagnosed with an LOD for the MST, generalized anxiety, and more, information HELPS. The brutal part is the long silence - 6 months before any C&P exam but those were for the more "Minor" stuff like knee injury and sleep apnea,.but I still have heard ZERO regarding mental health. No exam appointment, nothing....so as I wait and struggle in limbo, I starve for INFORMATION. This was so needed. Thank you
So happy this was helpful. We have more videos planned that will address C&P exams. We will go more in depth on ways to prepare, what to address, and what to expect. Stay tuned!
I thought this and PTSD from the Vietnam War were all the same. I also have all the systems that you show when this video started, severely. It got so bad last year that I had an Heart Attack, While at local Hospital they ran a CT scan and I also had an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm so large it could burst at any time. Sent by ambulance to the Specialists in Grand Rapids. Dr Kimball , who was going to do the operation, told me how big it was. I stated that I had C&P in 2011 for A.O. and they said there was nothing wrong with it. Dr. Kimball stated: BULLSHIT, It would take , AT THE LEAST, 30 years to get this large. VA, just did not want pay you for it.. The funny thing is , in 1984, my youngest son, who was born with a Birth Defect. had an operation on it and Dr. had tissues tested and they came back + for chemicals in A.O. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this prestition.
Had my C&P review today, it lasted all of 15 minutes, but my medical records supported everything I claimed, there was no need for an ongoing search and seizure. We only reviewed for two major issues, there's a lot more, but I am certain those two, definitively got me to 100%.
The part labeled "OCCUPATIONAL AND SOCIAL IMPAIRMENT." You can cross-reference the box checked with the respective regulatory evaluation warranted. Here's a copy of the rating schedule for mental health: www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/4.130
Yes, more often than not the Veteran is still deemed competent and maintains control of their finances when they obtain a 100% mental health evaluation; however, be advised it is still a risk. We would suggest about 15% of Veterans evaluated at 100% for mental health are deemed incompetent (total ballpark estimate). The VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) assesses competency for disability purposes by considering a variety of factors, including: * **Medical Evidence:** This includes medical records, psychiatric evaluations, and any other relevant documentation related to the veteran's mental health condition. They are looking for patterns of unpredictability and rash and unwise actions. For example, if you sold your $45,000 vehicle for $20,000 because you feared it was rigged with listening devices. Another example might be you cut all electricity to your house and put linings in your house to protect you from wireless energy transmissions. Or perhaps you send a significant amount of money to the US president's campaign in hopes the will pardon you for a past criminal conviction. These are some off the wall examples, but you get the idea. * **Functional Impairment:** The VA looks at how the veteran's mental health condition impacts their ability to manage their finances, make decisions, and understand the nature and consequences of their actions. * **Observations and Interviews:** VA personnel may interview the veteran and observe their behavior to assess their cognitive abilities and judgment. * **Third-Party Reports:** Information from family members, friends, or healthcare providers may also be considered to gain a broader understanding of the veteran's functioning. The VA presumes that all veterans are competent unless there is clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. This means the burden of proof lies on the VA to demonstrate that a veteran is incompetent. For more information, you can refer to the following resources, which precisely what guides the VA's determinations: * **Evaluating Competency (VA):** [www.benefits.va.gov/WARMS/docs/admin21/m21_1/mr/part3/subptiv/ch08/M21-1MRIII_iv_8_SecA.docx](www.benefits.va.gov/WARMS/docs/admin21/m21_1/mr/part3/subptiv/ch08/M21-1MRIII_iv_8_SecA.docx) If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Thank you for taking the time to help us. Veterans better understand this process. I, for one, sincerely appreciate your efforts. I have a question I was hoping you could answer. I 1st filed for PTSD in 2009 along with Tinnitus. I was extremely unstable at the time. I missed the C&P exam for PTSD and was able to make the exam for tinnitus.I was, of course, denied on tbe PTSD and awarded 10% for tinnitus. Fast forward 15 years later. I have been recently diagnosed with chronic PTSD I also have a mountain of evidence in regard to the real-life effects my mental health has caused in my life. Everything from a 5150 hold at the Va to chronic homelessness, a letter from my Law enforcement father that he told the VA " I burned all my bridges: which shows how isolated I am, to broken hands from fights documented at the Va to a SS employment records of the last 20 years of employment being under poverty levels to lastly Alcohol usage disorder. I just took a mental health evaluation at the VA, and the clinical social worker put 1. Chronic PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, and Alcohol use disorder. In your opinion, should I file a supplemental claim for the 1st denial for PTSD in 2009? Or should I file a new claim with Mental Health with all 3 of my diagnoses?
Here's what we do with our clients similarly situated: File a Supplemental Claim with a simple statement that you will report for any C&P examinations. Be certain to include all treatment records indicating a diagnosis or treatment. Also, don't hesitate to include a personal statement about the stressor your encountered and the symptoms you experience. Be careful to reference traumatic events before or after active duty as the mental health professional could try to weaponize that against you. Obviously, don't lie, but be careful to offer information on incidents outside of the military. The goal is to attribute any current mental health symptoms to events on active duty. Good luck!
I could not find the link that you referred around the 2.45 minute mark regarding the DSM-IV to DSM-5 comparison. Could you reply with a copy and paste of this link? Very informative and helpful video, thanks.
Definitely seek care to assist with your symptoms. Keep in mind the VA will only compensate you for a single mental health condition, so there’s really not much benefit to seeking service connection for alternative mental health conditions. Good luck!
I've reviewed over 50 youtube videos on this subject, and this video tops them all!!!! Thank you. I was diagnosed and treated for PTSD while on active duty; however, the VA C&P Examiner diagnosed me with Major Depression Disorder (MDD) and General Anxiety Disorder (GAD); therefore, I was VA rated at 30% for MDD and GAD. Afterward (for the next 15 years), my VA psychiatrists and psychologists diagnosed and treated me for PTSD roughly 95% of the time and roughly 5% for MDD and GAD. I am now submitting an increase claim for MDD and GAD. (Note: The VA's 38 CFR and M-21 lump all mental health diagnoses and conditions under mental health, so I'm submitting an increase claim for MDD and GAD). Question: Do I need to include the VA Form 21-0781 considering that I'm submitting a claim for MDD and GAD, even though the majority of the after-service treatment was for PTSD. Maybe I'm overthing this, and my anxiety is kicking in.😄
We strongly encourage our clients to NOT claim multiple mental health conditions as there's really zero added benefit. Quite the opposite, when you introduce multiple mental health conditions, the VA can weaponize that against you by stating your symptoms are largely attributable to a non-service connected mental health condition. Keep it simple and only claim an increase for the condition you are already service connected with. It makes zero difference whatsoever what they call the condition as they all compensate under the same criteria. Instead of focusing on the diagnosis, instead focus on the symptoms and how they cause social and occupational impairment. We strongly urge this with our clients. Good luck and we hope this insight was helful!
I filed for claims prior to retirement 1 year and 4 months later (post retirement) I am getting my exams. Super nervous, its also not in person its through an examinee portal via webcam. I was diagnosed 2 or 3 years prior to exiting active duty with several things, Bi-polar depression, extreme anxiety, ptsd. It wasn't a naval or military doctor, but it was my primary care provider that gave me the referral and Tricare approval for it. I was given all kinds of meds. Im just nervous that I won't be able to clearly provide information they ask.
We understand that these appointments, specifically for mental health, can cause anxiety all on their own. We have more content on the horizon that will address more ways to be prepared before the exam. Here is another video that may help as well: 10 Frequent C&P Exam Questions Answered: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UlcoPrWmye0.html Hope this helps.
I had my c&p exam today for PTSD. The doctor said I don't want you to relive anything. Just tell me how you are feeling. I said sad, angry, and irritable. He began to talk about all the books he wrote pertaining to mental health and after about 15 minutes of hearing him talk, he said ok we are done here. I agree with the file and i believe you have PTSD. I'm going to put in the remarks that "you need intensive inpatient mental helath treatment" has this happened to anyone else? Not sure if this is a good thing or not
Check out the section titled “occupational and social impairment” and then cross-reference the checked box with the corresponding evaluation as identified here: www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/4.130
This gets tricky. If you were wrongly convicted you would likely have a case. However, usually if you are convicted under UCMJ you are ineligible for benefits because of your discharge type. The other possibility is if you have multiple periods of service you could claim disabilities from the periods of service labeled honorable by the VA. Hopes that helps!
This gets tricky. If you were wrongly convicted you would likely have a case. However, usually if you are convicted under UCMJ you are ineligible for benefits because of your discharge type. The other possibility is if you have multiple periods of service you could claim disabilities from the periods of service labeled honorable by the VA. Hopes that helps!
I have GAD and depression and insomnia. Never treated for it in the Marines. So I am diagnosed and being medicated but these VA clowns say the Marines did not cause it. F the BS
You may want to look at any other service connected conditions you have and link your diagnosis to another condition and file as a secondary claim. If you weren’t diagnosed on active duty for your condition, it will need to be a secondary claim.Yoi can always appeal and get a higher level review if you are denied for any claim. You can include personal statements and buddy letters to attest it occurred on active duty or due to service in order to support your claim.
We agree with this method. If you have a condition service connected and believe it causes mental distress or depression, you should definitely file a secondary mental health claim. It’s not uncommon for this to be the most straight forward path to service connection for mental health. Check this video out for basics involving establishing service connection: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4wxIM4bxGA0.htmlsi=Mm2VRC1E1Sy8wa8z
Yes, even if you are still on active duty and have documented diagnoses of depression and anxiety, you will still need to undergo Compensation and Pension (C&P) exams once you file a VA disability claim. The C&P exam is a required step to assess the severity of your condition and determine the appropriate disability rating. Your service medical records will be considered, but the C&P exam helps the VA evaluate the current impact of your condition on your daily life and ability to work. Stay tuned. We have an upcoming video that will go into further detail regarding how to prepare for a C&P exam.
Great video. My dad was a lawyer and he would point out it’s not exactly lying to answer specific questions very specifically lol. It’s a fine line that can make or break your case.
So if it's called "drug abuse" is there a manor of use that is not abuse? Federally it's a no go but states might ok use. But Federal still says no, so Catch 22. Either way Legal or not don't hit your weed. Treat it like a pet. Love it. Talk nice to it. Don't light it on fire and laugh. That's abusive.
Medicinal use of cannabis products and VA claims is a topic that we will likely address in the near future. It does lead to some interesting conversations.
I was in the army 1987-1988. I sufferred 2 traumatic events. There was NO information given out about seeing a doctor or anything like that. Nobody told you anything about any such thing. So I have no army documentation of the incidents documentation, just by a private physician.
Generally the best way to approach this situation is to provide a detailed explanation of the incident you are referencing. Ideally, you should look at you military records and reference specific dates and event in your records that are somewhat contemporaneous with the traumatic event. If anyone you know witnessed this event, you will want to try to obtain "buddy statements" from them too. It can be a long battle. I would suggest you take your appeal to the BVA and request a hearing. Tell your judge your story. Make sure your story is identical to your written statement. All the best! VADG
I had my psych exam for depression, anxiety, and insomnia. I was told that they're nothing in my MH records before 2008. That explains why I've been denied since 2007.
Yes, this isn't uncommon. Try to fetch records the VA may not have. If those records aren't available, provide a detailed written statement articulating what occurred, symptoms and previous treatments. The more specific the better. If you have friends or family members willing to write a statement, do that that as well. Lastly, if applicable, consider filing for mental health secondary to an already service connected condition. For example, mental health with depression and anxiety secondary to service connected hearing loss. Hope that helps. -VADG
I am service connected for a TBI You skipped past 2c and 2d that address TBI and went straight to #3 If I’ve not been diagnosed with a mental health problem yet but have them would my TBI be the service connected condition?
Take a look at our C&P exam that centers around TBI here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gRz2yggbrc0.html Hopefully this will shed more light on your unique situation.
My c&p examiner kept telling me that I had anxiety and not ptsd, after a private doctor said it was ptsd. this examiner would say things like "if you can't remember certain conversations after the incident, then it's not ptsd. Because people with ptsd can remember those incidents". I just told her what I experienced and remembered, I'm not gonna lie and give her a reason to disregard me.
This can be so frustrating. Mental health providers are woefully different in their assessments. It can be maddening. Good luck and we hope it worked out.
The examiners are required to review the totality of records in the “CFile” which includes all private and federal records within the VBA’s possession. That’s what we are referencing. The CFile must be reviewed to be a competent examination.
@@VADisabilityGroup ok cause mine are secondary claims and I’ve not been seen by anyone outside the VA not have I been diagnosed with anything particular
See our comment in response to your other question and this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4wxIM4bxGA0.htmlsi=RbYXuwmkqTw3-pFp Good luck!
I had my "initial" C&P exam for a first-time mental health claim of anxiety which the VA diagnosed me with. What happens when at the end of the exam the C&P examiner tells me I have PTSD. Will they possibly give me PTSD based on the C&P examiners report or will I have to file a claim for PTSD. Thanks
@carlsomark9840 is correct. You do not typically need to file a separate claim for PTSD if the examiner's diagnosis is PTSD. The VA can consider your diagnosis of PTSD as part of the mental health claim you initially submitted. The VA treats mental health claims broadly, so a diagnosis of PTSD can be granted in place of, or in addition to, anxiety if supported by the evidence. For example: PTSD with anxiety. So there should be no action that you need to take to submit a new claim before you receive a decision letter from the VA regarding your current mental health claim. Make sure you have submitted your treatment records, any medical evidence, medical opinions, symptom logs, or buddy statements to the EIC in a timely manner to support you claim. You typically have 90 days after submitting a 526EZ. Hope this helps!
What if you are sc for ptsd, but also have dx for gad and mdd, do you need to be sc for them to be considered for them since they are apart of ptsd, looking to put in increase for mh
No. There's an incredible amount of overlap with mental health symptoms. The VA is aware of this. Since you are already service connected with PTSD, don't confuse the situation by trying to convince the VA you have other diagnoses. Instead, focus on the symptoms. depression and anxiety are both symptoms of PTSD. That's all you need to know. These and other symptoms are attributable to your PTSD. Good luck!
