Question:
Hi Garry, Thanks a lot for the reply. I think I’ll go in like I usually am, clean but not fancy. I’m not good at all about telling even a little white lie, and with the stress I’m under lately I think that it’ll show on it’s own. I just got the book from the library, "I Can’t Get Over It", just started reading it and hope that it will help. I am seriously worried about the cost of all this though. I don’t want to get strapped with huge bills from the VA. It’s my choice if I continue to see them or not right? I can’t work right now though so I’m trying to get help from wherever I can……. maybe I should have my partner drop me from that medical coverage until I see what the VA’s gonna do. Z55 Skytrooper <gbruc…@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:h29fa.207770$sf5.120658@rwcrnsc52.ops.asp.att.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve heard that some people told the VA examiner at their C&P meeting that > they sometimes heard voices. If you are there for a PTSD claim, saying that > you hear voices will most likely ruin chances of being diagnosed by that > doctor as having PTSD. He will more than likely say you are Schizophrenic or > have dementia or something similar. > It is a good idea to know the symptoms of PTSD. That will help you to better > describe your symptoms and to concentrate on symptoms related to PTSD. You > can read about symptoms of PTSD at this website: > http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000901/1046ph.html > You may feel very nervous and uptight the day of your C&P meeting which may > also work in your favor. Just remember this is your time to let this doctor > know you have days that you don’t feel well at all. The day of your C&P > meeting should be one of those days so he sees you at your worst. It is a > one time shot to get a good disability rating from your first C&P meeting. > If not, you can and should appeal their decision. Often on the next C&P you > will get a higher rating. > Garry > "Roger Berg" <fii…@comcast.net> wrote in message > news:es4fa.180972$L1.28798@sccrnsc02… > > Don’t shower or shave between now and your c&p. Try to make your outside > > look like the inside of your mind. The shrinks can’t see in there, they > can > > only see the outside. In my case, after 30+ years of keeping up a "front", > I > > cleaned up, fired myself up and went in. The shrink wrote "neatly dressed, > > alert, etc., etc., etc. I couldn’t believe he couldn’t surmise what was > > going on inside my head, so, take the barriers down and lay it one them, > no > > need to exaggerate anything, the truth is more than enough. Let go of the > > "I’m doing fine" routine and let it all hang out! > > Good luck, > > Roger > > "Skytrooper" <gbruc…@attbi.com> wrote in message > > news:l72fa.201666$S_4.112569@rwcrnsc53… > > > Hi Z55, > > > From my experience when I went through the same thing, if your income is > > > over a certain level, they will bill your insurance company. I think it > > can > > > also depend on if you have a disability rating from the VA and the > > > percentage of your rating. > > > I remember I was being treated at the VA Outpatient clinic and my claim > > was > > > still in processing. The VA sent medical co-pay bills to me. My vet rep > > said > > > I could pay them if I wanted to, but he thought I should just wait until > > > after my C&P meeting. If they gave me a high enough award of disability > > the > > > medical co-pays would be paid in full by the VA. I think you have to be > > > awarded 100% disability or in some combination that becomes 100% > > disability > > > before you will not have to pay a co-pay for VA medical treatment. I’m > > > saying all this from memory, and mine isn’t the best anymore, so I would > > > recommend checking with others who may know for sure. > > > I know a vet who owes the VA around $8,000 for several inpatient > treatment > > > programs. He said he is allowed to pay the minimum payment, which he > said > > > was $50 a month. He had a difficult time with his claim because he > didn’t > > > have proof of being in combat but had just recently found men who had > > served > > > with him. Now he is confident that he will be awarded 100% disability > and > > > everything will be paid in full by the VA. > > > Disability ratings from the VA can be a bit confusing. I was awarded > 100% > > > disability due to severe PTSD and it is considered permanent and total. > > That > > > means the VA should never send me for a review of my claim. If you are > not > > > rated permanent and total, the VA will review your claim after a certain > > > amount of time. It will be like another C&P meeting. Some vets are rated > > at > > > 70% disabililty for PTSD and 30% unemployable which gives them 100% > > > disability. I’m not an expert and don’t know everything about how the VA > > > awards disability. > > > They use the terms service connected and non-service connected which can > > > also make a difference in if the VA pays everything in full or if you > get > > a > > > co-pay. > > > As far as how you dress and look for your C&P meeting, I have heard all > > > kinds of advice from one extreme to the next. I think the doctor doing > the > > > exam can make a difference based on how good he is or his opinions about > > > vets and disabilities. Some seem to be more supportive than others. > > > I went to my C&P meeting clean with nice clothes and looking like I > could > > > take care of myself. I was having enough problems with the PTSD at that > > time > > > that it was obvious to any doctor that I was not faking it. > > > I was extremely nervous because at that time I just wanted to be left > > alone > > > and now I had to answer questions from some stranger who I felt was not > > > looking after my best interest. I was visibly shaking, and on the edge > of > > > running out of the room. Reading his report later, he stated that I > talked > > > in a low quiet voice and had trouble expressing myself. When he asked me > > > what happened in Vietnam, I started to have a panic attack and wasn’t > even > > > able to answer his question. He said to relax and not worry about it and > > > started to write some notes which gave me some time to recover. > > > Anyway, I’m sure some will tell you to look your worst and dress in old > > > clothes. I did the opposite. I think in most cases it would be best to > go > > in > > > looking like you can take care of yourself, dress nice but don’t overdo > > it. > > > Some advice I was given which I think is important is to remember you > are > > > there to show them you are not feeling well. Even if it is a good day > for > > > you, act like you do on your worst days. After all, they only see you > this > > > one time to make a decision on your claim. If you are smiling and joking > > or > > > laugh or smile if the doctor tries to make you laugh, you are going to > > look > > > to him like you are fine. I’m not saying to fake your condition, but you > > > know yourself and how bad you feel at times better than anyone else. You > > > should make certain this doctor understands completely how you feel when > > you > > > are having your worst times with the PTSD or whatever it is. > > > Good luck and take care, > > > Garry > > > — > > > —————————————————— > > > Skytroopers Vietnam Tour Of Duty > > > http://www.skytroopers.org
Response:
I’ve heard that some people told the VA examiner at their C&P meeting that they sometimes heard voices. If you are there for a PTSD claim, saying that you hear voices will most likely ruin chances of being diagnosed by that doctor as having PTSD. He will more than likely say you are Schizophrenic or have dementia or something similar. It is a good idea to know the symptoms of PTSD. That will help you to better describe your symptoms and to concentrate on symptoms related to PTSD. You can read about symptoms of PTSD at this website: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000901/1046ph.html You may feel very nervous and uptight the day of your C&P meeting which may also work in your favor. Just remember this is your time to let this doctor know you have days that you don’t feel well at all. The day of your C&P meeting should be one of those days so he sees you at your worst. It is a one time shot to get a good disability rating from your first C&P meeting. If not, you can and should appeal their decision. Often on the next C&P you will get a higher rating. Garry "Roger Berg" <fii…@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:es4fa.180972$L1.28798@sccrnsc02… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Don’t shower or shave between now and your c&p. Try to make your outside > look like the inside of your mind. The shrinks can’t see in there, they can > only see the outside. In my case, after 30+ years of keeping up a "front", I > cleaned up, fired myself up and went in. The shrink wrote "neatly dressed, > alert, etc., etc., etc. I couldn’t believe he couldn’t surmise what was > going on inside my head, so, take the barriers down and lay it one them, no > need to exaggerate anything, the truth is more than enough. Let go of the > "I’m doing fine" routine and let it all hang out! > Good luck, > Roger > "Skytrooper" <gbruc…@attbi.com> wrote in message > news:l72fa.201666$S_4.112569@rwcrnsc53… > > Hi Z55, > > From my experience when I went through the same thing, if your income is > > over a certain level, they will bill your insurance company. I think it > can > > also depend on if you have a disability rating from the VA and the > > percentage of your rating. > > I remember I was being treated at the VA Outpatient clinic and my claim > was > > still in processing. The VA sent medical co-pay bills to me. My vet rep > said > > I could pay them if I wanted to, but he thought I should just wait until > > after my C&P meeting. If they gave me a high enough award of disability > the > > medical co-pays would be paid in full by the VA. I think you have to be > > awarded 100% disability or in some combination that becomes 100% > disability > > before you will not have to pay a co-pay for VA medical treatment. I’m > > saying all this from memory, and mine isn’t the best anymore, so I would > > recommend checking with others who may know for sure. > > I know a vet who owes the VA around $8,000 for several inpatient treatment > > programs. He said he is allowed to pay the minimum payment, which he said > > was $50 a month. He had a difficult time with his claim because he didn’t > > have proof of being in combat but had just recently found men who had > served > > with him. Now he is confident that he will be awarded 100% disability and > > everything will be paid in full by the VA. > > Disability ratings from the VA can be a bit confusing. I was awarded 100% > > disability due to severe PTSD and it is considered permanent and total. > That > > means the VA should never send me for a review of my claim. If you are not > > rated permanent and total, the VA will review your claim after a certain > > amount of time. It will be like another C&P meeting. Some vets are rated > at > > 70% disabililty for PTSD and 30% unemployable which gives them 100% > > disability. I’m not an expert and don’t know everything about how the VA > > awards disability. > > They use the terms service connected and non-service connected which can > > also make a difference in if the VA pays everything in full or if you get > a > > co-pay. > > As far as how you dress and look for your C&P meeting, I have heard all > > kinds of advice from one extreme to the next. I think the doctor doing the > > exam can make a difference based on how good he is or his opinions about > > vets and disabilities. Some seem to be more supportive than others. > > I went to my C&P meeting clean with nice clothes and looking like I could > > take care of myself. I was having enough problems with the PTSD at that > time > > that it was obvious to any doctor that I was not faking it. > > I was extremely nervous because at that time I just wanted to be left > alone > > and now I had to answer questions from some stranger who I felt was not > > looking after my best interest. I was visibly shaking, and on the edge of > > running out of the room. Reading his report later, he stated that I talked > > in a low quiet voice and had trouble expressing myself. When he asked me > > what happened in Vietnam, I started to have a panic attack and wasn’t even > > able to answer his question. He said to relax and not worry about it and > > started to write some notes which gave me some time to recover. > > Anyway, I’m sure some will tell you to look your worst and dress in old > > clothes. I did the opposite. I think in most cases it would be best to go > in > > looking like you can take care of yourself, dress nice but don’t overdo > it. > > Some advice I was given which I think is important is to remember you are > > there to show them you are not feeling well. Even if it is a good day for > > you, act like you do on your worst days. After all, they only see you this > > one time to make a decision on your claim. If you are smiling and joking > or > > laugh or smile if the doctor tries to make you laugh, you are going to > look > > to him like you are fine. I’m not saying to fake your condition, but you > > know yourself and how bad you feel at times better than anyone else. You > > should make certain this doctor understands completely how you feel when > you > > are having your worst times with the PTSD or whatever it is. > > Good luck and take care, > > Garry > > — > > —————————————————— > > Skytroopers Vietnam Tour Of Duty > > http://www.skytroopers.org
Response:
Don’t shower or shave between now and your c&p. Try to make your outside look like the inside of your mind. The shrinks can’t see in there, they can only see the outside. In my case, after 30+ years of keeping up a "front", I cleaned up, fired myself up and went in. The shrink wrote "neatly dressed, alert, etc., etc., etc. I couldn’t believe he couldn’t surmise what was going on inside my head, so, take the barriers down and lay it one them, no need to exaggerate anything, the truth is more than enough. Let go of the "I’m doing fine" routine and let it all hang out! Good luck, Roger "Skytrooper" <gbruc…@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:l72fa.201666$S_4.112569@rwcrnsc53… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Z55, > From my experience when I went through the same thing, if your income is > over a certain level, they will bill your insurance company. I think it can > also depend on if you have a disability rating from the VA and the > percentage of your rating. > I remember I was being treated at the VA Outpatient clinic and my claim was > still in processing. The VA sent medical co-pay bills to me. My vet rep said > I could pay them if I wanted to, but he thought I should just wait until > after my C&P meeting. If they gave me a high enough award of disability the > medical co-pays would be paid in full by the VA. I think you have to be > awarded 100% disability or in some combination that becomes 100% disability > before you will not have to pay a co-pay for VA medical treatment. I’m > saying all this from memory, and mine isn’t the best anymore, so I would > recommend checking with others who may know for sure. > I know a vet who owes the VA around $8,000 for several inpatient treatment > programs. He said he is allowed to pay the minimum payment, which he said > was $50 a month. He had a difficult time with his claim because he didn’t > have proof of being in combat but had just recently found men who had served > with him. Now he is confident that he will be awarded 100% disability and > everything will be paid in full by the VA. > Disability ratings from the VA can be a bit confusing. I was awarded 100% > disability due to severe PTSD and it is considered permanent and total. That > means the VA should never send me for a review of my claim. If you are not > rated permanent and total, the VA will review your claim after a certain > amount of time. It will be like another C&P meeting. Some vets are rated at > 70% disabililty for PTSD and 30% unemployable which gives them 100% > disability. I’m not an expert and don’t know everything about how the VA > awards disability. > They use the terms service connected and non-service connected which can > also make a difference in if the VA pays everything in full or if you get a > co-pay. > As far as how you dress and look for your C&P meeting, I have heard all > kinds of advice from one extreme to the next. I think the doctor doing the > exam can make a difference based on how good he is or his opinions about > vets and disabilities. Some seem to be more supportive than others. > I went to my C&P meeting clean with nice clothes and looking like I could > take care of myself. I was having enough problems with the PTSD at that time > that it was obvious to any doctor that I was not faking it. > I was extremely nervous because at that time I just wanted to be left alone > and now I had to answer questions from some stranger who I felt was not > looking after my best interest. I was visibly shaking, and on the edge of > running out of the room. Reading his report later, he stated that I talked > in a low quiet voice and had trouble expressing myself. When he asked me > what happened in Vietnam, I started to have a panic attack and wasn’t even > able to answer his question. He said to relax and not worry about it and > started to write some notes which gave me some time to recover. > Anyway, I’m sure some will tell you to look your worst and dress in old > clothes. I did the opposite. I think in most cases it would be best to go in > looking like you can take care of yourself, dress nice but don’t overdo it. > Some advice I was given which I think is important is to remember you are > there to show them you are not feeling well. Even if it is a good day for > you, act like you do on your worst days. After all, they only see you this > one time to make a decision on your claim. If you are smiling and joking or > laugh or smile if the doctor tries to make you laugh, you are going to look > to him like you are fine. I’m not saying to fake your condition, but you > know yourself and how bad you feel at times better than anyone else. You > should make certain this doctor understands completely how you feel when you > are having your worst times with the PTSD or whatever it is. > Good luck and take care, > Garry > — > —————————————————— > Skytroopers Vietnam Tour Of Duty > http://www.skytroopers.org
Response:
Hi Z55, From my experience when I went through the same thing, if your income is over a certain level, they will bill your insurance company. I think it can also depend on if you have a disability rating from the VA and the percentage of your rating. I remember I was being treated at the VA Outpatient clinic and my claim was still in processing. The VA sent medical co-pay bills to me. My vet rep said I could pay them if I wanted to, but he thought I should just wait until after my C&P meeting. If they gave me a high enough award of disability the medical co-pays would be paid in full by the VA. I think you have to be awarded 100% disability or in some combination that becomes 100% disability before you will not have to pay a co-pay for VA medical treatment. I’m saying all this from memory, and mine isn’t the best anymore, so I would recommend checking with others who may know for sure. I know a vet who owes the VA around $8,000 for several inpatient treatment programs. He said he is allowed to pay the minimum payment, which he said was $50 a month. He had a difficult time with his claim because he didn’t have proof of being in combat but had just recently found men who had served with him. Now he is confident that he will be awarded 100% disability and everything will be paid in full by the VA. Disability ratings from the VA can be a bit confusing. I was awarded 100% disability due to severe PTSD and it is considered permanent and total. That means the VA should never send me for a review of my claim. If you are not rated permanent and total, the VA will review your claim after a certain amount of time. It will be like another C&P meeting. Some vets are rated at 70% disabililty for PTSD and 30% unemployable which gives them 100% disability. I’m not an expert and don’t know everything about how the VA awards disability. They use the terms service connected and non-service connected which can also make a difference in if the VA pays everything in full or if you get a co-pay. As far as how you dress and look for your C&P meeting, I have heard all kinds of advice from one extreme to the next. I think the doctor doing the exam can make a difference based on how good he is or his opinions about vets and disabilities. Some seem to be more supportive than others. I went to my C&P meeting clean with nice clothes and looking like I could take care of myself. I was having enough problems with the PTSD at that time that it was obvious to any doctor that I was not faking it. I was extremely nervous because at that time I just wanted to be left alone and now I had to answer questions from some stranger who I felt was not looking after my best interest. I was visibly shaking, and on the edge of running out of the room. Reading his report later, he stated that I talked in a low quiet voice and had trouble expressing myself. When he asked me what happened in Vietnam, I started to have a panic attack and wasn’t even able to answer his question. He said to relax and not worry about it and started to write some notes which gave me some time to recover. Anyway, I’m sure some will tell you to look your worst and dress in old clothes. I did the opposite. I think in most cases it would be best to go in looking like you can take care of yourself, dress nice but don’t overdo it. Some advice I was given which I think is important is to remember you are there to show them you are not feeling well. Even if it is a good day for you, act like you do on your worst days. After all, they only see you this one time to make a decision on your claim. If you are smiling and joking or laugh or smile if the doctor tries to make you laugh, you are going to look to him like you are fine. I’m not saying to fake your condition, but you know yourself and how bad you feel at times better than anyone else. You should make certain this doctor understands completely how you feel when you are having your worst times with the PTSD or whatever it is. Good luck and take care, Garry — —————————————————— Skytroopers Vietnam Tour Of Duty http://www.skytroopers.org
If you like this post and would like to receive updates from this blog, please subscribe our feed.