What Does 70% Disability Rating Mean For The Va
As of December 1, 2021, veterans with a 70 percent VA disability rating receive $1,52995 per month in VA compensation This monetary benefit is tax free at both the federal and state levels The exact amount of compensation may increase or decrease each year depending on the cost-of-living adjustment .
#1 Q: What is a VA claim exam, also known as a Compensation and Pension exam? If youve filed a claim with the US Department of Veterans Affairs for disability compensation or pension benefits, VA may ask you to go to an examination as part of the claim process.
The Ptsd Compensation And Pension Examination
This chapter provides an overview of the Veterans Administration posttraumatic stress disorder compensation process and the conducting of PTSD compensation and pension examinations. These examinations generate the information used by raters to evaluate compensation claims and, where appropriate, to determine the level of disabilitya process that is described in Chapter 5. The chapter also offers the committees response to several elements of the charge that related to these evaluations.
What Should I Do Before A C& p Exam
First of all, do not skip your C& P exam as that could result in the denial of your disability claim. Before your exam, you should document the most persistent, severe symptoms associated with your PTSD. You should note any symptoms you believe are associated with your PTSD, even embarrassing ones.
Many people get nervous before taking a test or are unsure of what to say at a PTSD exam, causing them to forget the information they studied. The C& P exam is no exception. Documenting your symptoms beforehand provides a way for you to easily recall your PTSD symptoms for the examiner.
The VA allows veterans to submit a request to bring a witness to their C& P exam. Your witness can offer multiple advantages. In addition to the ease a familiar face can provide, the witness can recount instances when he or she observed symptoms of your PTSD and how they affected you.
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Be Prepared To Discuss Difficult Subjects
As mentioned earlier, C& P exams for mental health conditions can be more difficult than C& P exams for other conditions. This is because they require discussing personal information and reliving traumatic experiences.
For most veterans, their PTSD and anxiety are a result of difficult traumatic events from their service. The VA will usually allow you to bring a family member, caretaker, or another individual to the exam for support. Service animals can also accompany you to the exam. Simply inform the office coordinating your C& P exam if you plan to bring someone or a support animal.
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Do Va Examiners Always Do Multiple Psy Tests
VA examiners do not always administer multiple tests to determine if a veteran is malingering. If a veteran scores M-FAST score of 6 or higher, the VA doctor may report the veteran is possibly malingering. Because that one word is now a part of the veterans claims file, the PTSD claim will be even more difficult to win. The veteran will likely need an independent medical opinion that refutes the allegation of malingering.
The Army recognized this back in 2012. It issued policy guidance on the assessment and treatment of PTSD. The memo stressed that the diagnosis of malingering should not be made unless there is substantial and definitive evidence from collateral or objective sources that there are false or grossly exaggerated symptoms that are consciously produced for external incentives.
The memo noted that there is considerable evidence that malingering is rare among veterans and that malingering is unlikely to be a factor in the vast majority of disability determinations. Even the VA concedes that Vietnam veterans may have elevated scores on tests due to their chronic post-traumatic difficulties.
In fact, no test for malingering exists which can reliably tell which symptoms are being exaggerated. Tests like the M-FAST, MMPI-2, PAI, and TSI are the best available. That said, the tests findings can easily result in labeling veterans with genuine PTSD as malingers.
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Tip #: Va C& p Exam For Ptsd Questions
When you arrive at your c and p exam for PTSD, youlllikely be handed a 20-question paper exam called the PCL-5.
There are a few variations of this self-assessment measure,which may include the PCL-5, PCL-5 with LEC-5, and/or the PCL-5 with CriterionA.
The PCL-5 is a 20-item self-report measure that assessesthe 20 DSM-5 symptoms of PTSD.
The PCL-5 has a variety of purposes, including:
- Monitoringsymptom change during and after treatment
- Screeningindividuals for PTSD
- Makinga provisional PTSD diagnosis
The PCL-5 is a 20-question test of your current PTSDsymptoms from the past 30 days, and each of the questions is scored between 0-4.
The C& P examiner for PTSD can make a provisional PTSDdiagnosis with a minimum cutoff score of 33, and the overall PCL-5 is scoredbetween 0-80.
For VA rating purposes, the C& P examiner is supposed toconfirm at least 1 positive response in Category B and Category C, and 2 positiveresponses in Category D and Category E.
A complete list of the PCL-5 and all questionnaires foryour PTSD can be found on the VA website here:
Tips And Reminders For C& p Exams
When preparing for your C& P Exam, remember that your task is to be honest and forthcoming with the examining doctor and as detailed as possible about your condition and symptoms. As a soldier, you are trained to always show strength, not to admit weaknesses or insecurities. A C& P Exam is not the time to follow that training. It is time to be real about everything that is going on.
This is especially true for PTSD. Many symptoms are things that others may not know about anxiety, nightmares, and the need to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. Disclose them. It is part of the evaluation process.
It should go without saying that you should not study illnesses or symptoms and try to report those to increase your chances of getting a significant disability rating. Some of the testing done during a C& P is specifically designed to detect deception, so thats not a route you want to take.
You may want to jot down some notes before your appointment. Sometimes the stress of any doctors appointment can make you forget things.
You may also request to have your spouse or another support person with you as a witness and for moral support. There is a dual purpose to having another person present. They may have witnessed behaviors and symptoms that you, as the veteran arent aware of. Furthermore, the mere nature of PTSD or other mental health issues is an impaired ability to convey or recall information.
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Other Websites With Great Advice
* Ask questions on Veterans Benefits Network Forums in the PTSD Specific Discussions section. The veterans on that site provide sound advice, and are a great source of support. It’s a forum for veterans, run by veterans.
Also ask questions on the HadIt.com Veterans Compensation & Pension Exams community forum. The HadIt.com community forums are also run by veterans, for veterans. You will receive both moral support and smart practical advice from your fellow vets.
* Read veterans law attorney Chris Attig’s 10 Tips to Help You Keep the C& P Exam in Perspective. He offers great advice from a legal perspective, which is entirely consistent with the suggestions I provide from a psychological perspective.
Va Disability Ratings For Mental Health Disorders
The VA rates mental health disorders like PTSD, anxiety, and depression under the ratings schedule in Section 4.130 of Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Your assigned percentage could range from 0 to 100 percent based on your symptom frequency and the presence of more serious symptoms of PTSD . The more severe your condition, the greater your rating and monthly compensations.
For an estimate of your VA disability benefits for your mental health condition, use our VA disability calculator. Simply insert the rating percentage for each of your disabilities along with other required information, such as your marital status and the number of dependents you have. Our calculator does the VA math for you.
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What If The Physician Doesn’t Properly Record My Conditions
This is tricky. Without proof of misconduct, it’ll be difficult to have the VA approve a new exam. If there isn’t enough information recorded to rate the condition, the VA will send the claim back to gather the additional information needed. If the information recorded is enough to rate it, but is just incorrect, then that could negatively affect your ratings. The key to combat this is to submit ample outside evidence that has enough of the correct information about your condition that it negates the incorrect information on the single C& P Exam. With enough outside correct evidence, the VA could overlook the C& P Exam and still rate your condition correctly.
Findings Conclusions And Recommendations
On the basis of the review of the papers, reports, and other information presented in this chapter, the committee has reached the following findings, conclusions, and recommendations, and identified the following research needs.
Findings and Conclusions
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The GAF score has limited usefulness in the assessment of the level of disability for PTSD compensation. The score is only marginally applicable to PTSD because of its emphasis on the symptoms of mood disorder and schizophrenia and its limited range of symptom content.
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There is no scientific guidance addressing the separation of symptoms of comorbid mental disorders for the purpose of identifying their relative contributions to a subjects condition.
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The scientific literature supports the existence of a form of PTSD that manifests long after the occurrence of the stressor upon which the
Suggested Citation:PTSD Compensation and Military Service
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How To Prepare For A Va C& p Exam
You must prepare well for this exam, as this meeting has significant weight on your claim for VA benefits. Here are a few tips for handling the exam:
- Update your contact information: VA will contact you about your appointment and schedule it based on your location.
- Make sure to attend: This may go without saying, but missing a C& P exam can significantly delay your claim and prolong your time without benefits.
- Reschedule if needed: Give at least 48 hours notice if the exam date you receive doesnt work for you, though VA recommends you reach out as early as possible.
- Submit all of your documents before the exam: This will ensure your paperwork is fully prepared for the appointment.
- Be as truthful as possible: The examiner will ask a series of questions about your condition and the documents in your case file. Any exaggeration regarding your condition could jeopardize your claim.
VA provides additional tips to help you prepare for your C& P exam. Note that you may even require more than one exam if you are seeking benefits for more than one condition. Alternatively, some claimants dont require a C& P exam at all.
How Va Assigns Disability Ratings Following C& p Exams For Ptsd
After the C& P exam is complete, VA adjudicators will review it along with all of the other evidence in the veterans claims file. Specifically, VA rates PTSD under 38 CFR § 4.130, Diagnostic Code 9411, and assigns a disability rating ranging from 0 to 100 percent. The rating assigned is based on the level of social and occupational impairment, and the frequency, duration, and severity of symptoms. However, there are many times in which veterans believe their PTSD warrants a higher disability rating than the one assigned by VA. In this case, veterans have the right to appeal for a higher rating. When a veteran files for an increased rating for their PTSD, VA will likely send them to another C& P exam that will focus mainly on the severity of the condition.
It is important to note that the symptoms listed in the PTSD rating criteria are not an exhaustive list. This means that veterans are not required to have every single symptom listed to meet the criteria for that rating percentage. VA should assign the higher disability rating even if only some of the criteria are met.
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If You Get A Bad Examiner
* If you get a ‘bad’ examiner, i.e., someone who is rude, condescending, abrupt, conducts a cursory interview, etc., do your best to answer questions completely, and just get through it.
Then, as soon after the exam as possible, write down everything you can remember about what the psychologist or psychiatrist said to you.
Use direct quotes if you remember his or her exact words.
Write down his or her demeanor , how he or she responded to your questions, and how much time the exam took.
If he or she was more than 10 minutes late, write that down too.
> Type what you wrote when you can
> Share your summary with your Veterans Service Officer, and seek his or her advice on what to do. Consider filing a formal complaint with the VA medical center or the IME company who referred you to the psychologist or psychiatrist. Send a copy of the complaint to the VBA Regional Office handling your claim.
~ Make sure you send your letter in a way that gives you proof that it was received, e.g., U.S. Postal Service Certified Mail with Signature Confirmation and Return Receipt, or similar service via FedEx or UPS.
Extra Help Preparing For Your C& p Exam
A C& P exam can be a stressful event for veterans, especially those dealing with difficult mental health conditions like anxiety, PTSD, and depression. The C& P examiner may ask questions that can be confusing and make you nervous about saying the wrong thing.
The important thing to remember is that the goal of the C& P exam is to make an appropriate diagnosis so the VA can assign a disability rating to your condition. The best approach for the exam is to be prepared to discuss personal details of your life and be genuine about your health and symptoms.
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Call us today to discuss your VA disability appeal or your first application. The call is free and we wont charge you a single fee until we win your case. We even pay for the postage for all of the documentation you send to our office. You can look for a VA disability attorney near you or call us and join the thousands of veterans living off of VA disability thanks to Woods and Woods.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to have a C& P exam if I apply for PTSD VA disability?What will they ask me at a C& P exam for depression or PTSD?
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Does The Va Pay Back Pay In One Lump Sum
Is VA Disability back pay paid in a lump sum? Yes The lump sum payment for benefits that have been accumulating since the filing of a granted claim is known as back pay or retroactive compensation After the receipt of benefits, retroactive payments come in a single amount, typically in one payment at once.
The amount of time it takes to review your VA disability claim depends on: The type of claim you filed How many injuries or disabilities you claimed and how complex they are.
What Happens With Your C& p Exam If You’re Diagnosed With Ptsd
A C& P exam is a medical exam ordered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to assess a veterans health condition that caused him to apply for VA disability benefits. This is a routine request that allows the VA to evaluate your symptoms and then write a report to send back to the VA Regional Office where you submitted your application request for benefits.
If youre applying for benefits because of post-traumatic stress disorder , its important to understand how the C& P exam will be performed and what the VA looks for during the evaluation.
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Tips For The Va Compensation & Benefits Exam
Thousands of veterans submit to C& P exams every year. Examiners may be working under strict time constraints when conducting exams to reduce the backlog of cases. That is why its essential to do everything you can to make the C& P exam go smoothly.
Some pointers:
- Be truthful. Report all your PTSD symptoms to the examiner, even the ones that make you uncomfortable or embarrassed. Every piece of information could make the difference between a favorable result and a denial.
- Dont exaggerate. The C& P examiner is there to assess the severity of your diagnosis. If you overdo it, you may end up with an entirely different psychiatric diagnosis.
- Be yourself. You dont need to dress up for your exam. Wear what makes you comfortable.
- Answer only what the doctor asks. Its easy to talk too much under stress. Having a friend nearby may calm your nerves so you focus on simple, informative answers.
- Dont try to be a lawyer. You just want the PTSD claims exam to be done accurately. If you disagree with the conclusion, then contact a VA benefits attorney for help.
What Is A C& p Exam
A C& P Exam is a specially scheduled examination by a VA doctor or outside contractor to evaluate your condition for the purposes of a VA disability claim.
Upon filing a claim, appeal, or request for an increase, you will likely be scheduled for an examination by the VA. The VA or the outside contractor will notify you by mail or telephone when and where your appointment will be.
Please note the VA is not required to schedule a C& P exam if there is no evidence of an in-service injury, even if you have a current diagnosis.
Once you are scheduled for a C& P exam, it is mandatory, and failure to cooperate will result in the denial of your disability claim. You can, however, request a reschedule if you have a conflict. Just be sure to tell them beforehand and not be a no-show. C& P exams can be stressful however, with some preparation of what to expect and what information to bring, it can be a relatively painless process.
A C& P exam may also be required during an appeal to provide further documentation or clarity of a diagnosis or the extent of disability. This allows the VA not only to confirm the existence of the declared disability but to obtain the necessary information regarding symptoms and severity to allow for an appropriate rating level to be assigned.
A disability rating is part of the formula for determining overall percentage and monthly benefit payments.
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