What Veterans Should Expect At VA C&P Exams For PTSD

Join us as CCK provides an in-depth guide on what to expect during a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Understanding the C&P exam process is crucial for veterans navigating the VA claims system. We explain a C&P exam's objectives, such as confirming a PTSD diagnosis, determining service connection, and assessing the condition's severity to establish the appropriate disability rating. We'll offer practical advice on preparing for the exam, including documentation to bring and the importance of honest communication. Plus, we'll discuss what happens after the exam and how to document your experience.

0:00 Introduction: Importance of C&P Exam for PTSD
0:34 Goals of the PTSD C&P Exam
1:01 What to Expect on Exam Day
1:19 Diagnostic Criteria and Assessments
1:49 Reviewing Medical Records
2:01 Establishing the Stressor and Evaluating PTSD's Impact on Life
2:29 Preparing for the C&P Exam
3:03 Exam Day Advice
3:30 Post-Exam Steps
4:02 Conclusion and Resources

[CCK_Law]

Thanks for tuning in! We hope this video provides you valuable tips to prepare for your C&P Exam for PTSD.

[ronaldhaugen]

This video worked for me, first time going after a rating got it 100P/T❤

[edtomorrow]

This is all great advice that I tried to use today at my C&P exam for PTSD. I studied the DBQ and looked at the 38 CFR. And it was very insightful. I read each criteria A-H and compared then to my own experiences and was able to have an honest answer for each. Some of the criteria you must have a minimum of two to meet for a specific letter. If you miss any one of the letters you don’t meet the criteria for PTSD for the purposes of VA ratings. My exam was at OPTUM in Katy/Houston Texas. I was given three pages of questions to fill out before I saw the Dr. from having studied the DBQ I saw many of the A-H criteria on the work sheets. They were basically “check the box to all that apply “, or “check from a month time the frequency XYZ bother you from “extremely”to not at all”. This is where you actually have control of your rating. If you check less than extremely or the next one down you’re screwing yourselves (I guess, maybe) Once I figured out what was being asked and how those questions applied to the DBQ I knew how to answer. Don’t let that “only the last MONTH”part screw you. It’s your whole life up till then that’s important, not just the last month. In that you’re not lying what so ever. In my case today she didn’t even want to hear my story to the fullest. And if I didn’t get emotional I could have told what was needed and been all good. Even though the DBQ says any traumatic event you experience but they want to hear the gory stuff and excitement. As an Air Force aircraft maintenance troop, I was zero prepared for a combat situation. Ill equipped with equipment and training to deal with a combat situation with real world ROE in theater. This was Kosovo and we were forward deployed to recover an Aircraft. We came under imminent attack warning with two confirmed Serbian Russian Suu 20’s. I took cover in a trench that was basically an open mass grave. The rater didn’t give a damn about any of that. All that was important apparently was were there any shooting or bombs dropped. Did I see any bombs. No. But to the Drs credit she was kinda giving me a chance to help myself. Or maybe hang myself. I said that this one USArmy guy could see bombs on the other side of a mountain range at night. She asked if I saw any of those bombs. It seemed to me that was key if I didn’t personally see or engage in combat. Bombs in the distance would suffice it seemed. She tried to ask about my life and childhood before the military. But at the advice of more experienced people I kept those answers short and sweet. She asked about suicide ideation, hygiene, love life, family life, home life and work life. Very briefly about your temper and anger issues. Yes and no answers were all that’s needed. She did not want to hear any qualifying stories to illustrate any of these. Just yes the fam is great, no I haven’t worked in years, I get pissed easily, etc. Never wanted to hear, ” this one time etc !!!”.
The only other part that kept me puzzled was that she kept on harping on Kuwait. That was no big deal to me. All I had to say was that a British Tornado’s jet wash forced me and my Three man in to an uncleared UXO minefield. It was Kosovo in which my experiences were with. I’ll have to verify what my VSO put in for my PTSD claim. I’m thinking it must have said something about Kuwait or PACT ACT. So the Dr said that she would put down all my Kosovo stuff “also”, as if it really wasn’t going to matter. I might get a “deferment for further development”, and send them proof that I was there.
Also this VA form 21-0781 was useful. It’s Attachment to the statement and support of claimed mental health disorders due to in-service traumatic events work sheet that lets you write in detail the exact thing that sets off your PTSD. It’s very detailed and lets you truly express yourself. I’m going to add it to my claim through my VSO. The examiner didn’t even want to see the photos I brought.
She saw that I was truly irritated and because I said that I did have suicidal thoughts, she pressed me to see someone. I was pissed that she didn’t want to hear the finer details of my experience. She said that the reason that she doesn’t let the “veteran “ tell the full story is because she doesn’t want anyone to get worked up because she’s not there to treat you. Which now that I know that, all I could have said was what they need to hear. There were bombs/gunfire and I was in fear for my life in ABC at or around XXXX.
I think I did ok because I studied the CFR38 and the DBQ. I knew what to focus on and what not to waste time on. She herself said that she’s pretty much heard it all so the gory details weren’t really necessary the VA, Optum or anyone cares how much it hurts or that you can’t play with little Timmy and Suzy because you want to wring their necks after ten minutes.
But that was just my experience. Just one experience of one guy in Texas. But I see that these exams are just wham/bam. That just want to bang them out and return their opinion back to the regional office so they can make a decision and close the case.

[ST-ltls]

My husband is 59, with major cognitive decline due to TBI. He is rated for PTSD/TBI, among many others. We applied for A and A SMC last November. We are still fighting it. The HLR with informal conference was in July and they found a CUE. So now he has to do two C and P exams. The VA is proposing incompetency. When scheduling these exams the guy was sure to tell us that no one else is allowed in on the C and P. That’s bullshit. I’m going. Period. I would not be doing my job as a fiduciary and medical POA and caregiver if I did not attend.