Veterans Groups Clash with VA over PTSD Diagnosis

[The Straight Story]

Veterans Groups Clash with VA over PTSD Diagnosis

At the same time that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) made it easier for soldiers to file a post-traumatic stress disorder claim, the agency also made it more difficult to receive such a diagnosis, prompting veterans groups to sue the government over the latter change.

Earlier this year, the VA decided veterans no longer needed to provide witnesses to substantiate a claim of PTSD. This move was heralded by veterans’ organizations. But then it was learned that the agency adopted another new rule that states PTSD diagnoses must come from VA doctors, not private physicians.

“Before this change, if you had a competent examination from a private examiner a competent exam from a VA examiner, the benefit of the doubt would go to the veteran,” Richard Cohen, executive director at the National Organization of Veterans Advocates (NOVA), told Military.com. “With the new regulation they could say they don’t have to look at a private examiner now because they have one done by a VA examiner. And the preponderance of evidence then is against the claim.”

NOVA, along with the Paralyzed Veterans of America and Veterans of Modern Warfare, are suing the VA, arguing that the agency has offered no proof that only their doctors are best qualified to diagnosis PTSD.

PTSD claims have soared since the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, going from 120,000 in 1999 to more than 345,000 in 2008.

http://www.allgov.com/Controversies/ViewNews/Veterans_Groups_Clash_with_VA_over_PTSD_Diagnosis_110103

[Zephie]

1. They view our injured vets as "damaged goods"

if they aren't fit to go back out there to get shot at again, why spend the money, right?

[HereSince1628]

3. That's not a fair characterization of the VA mental health programs

To suggest care decisions are based on returning soldiers to active duty is is baseless.

[w8liftinglady]

2. well...that should make the claims go down,as there's already a backlog.

See- they are really supporting the troops...much less PTSD reported.It is "Plus good"

[HereSince1628]

4. The VA follows funding restrictions set by Congress

Before broad-brushing the VA it would be good to have in hand some investigation on how this stupid rule came into existence.

[w8liftinglady]

5. considering I have belonged to VFP,VFCS,and MFSO for 6 years

and been a vet activist for at least that long,I know exactly what the issues are.
What specific information do you need?
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/06/ap_vaclaimsbacklog_061809/
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123198485
http://hss.sbcounty.gov/va/5-CrisisBacklogFactsheet.htm
http://www.stripes.com/va-hopes-to-eliminate-backlog-in-benefits-claims-by-end-of-2015-1.129125
http://tucsoncitizen.com/veteranveritas/2011/01/02/veterans-with-pre-existing-conditions-are-mounting-vva-sues/
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2010/05/16/%E2%80%9Cfreedom-for-the-few%E2%80%9D/
http://www.theworld.org/2010/05/07/us-veterans-denied-benefits/
http://veterans.house.gov/news/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=111
www.vawatchdog.org/10/hcva10/hcva091510-4.htm

[HereSince1628]

9. Yes, I have questions...

What is the actual wording the rule?

Who wrote the rule requiring VA mental health diagnosis of PTSD?

When was the rule written?

What circumstances led to recognition of the need for a new rule?

Was the rule mandated by Congress or a consequence of Administration decisions?

What, if any, rationale has been given for the rule change?

What difference, if any, is there between the medical credentialing requirements for providers in the community and at a VA clinic?

What difference, if any, is there between VA PTSD diagnostic rates and other competent civilian mental health diagnosticians?

Is there any evidence that PTSD assessment at by VA clinicians is prejudiced for non-diagnosis or that the severity of VA PTSD diagnoses are biased for high global function (low impact on ADLs)?

Is the central issue veterans access to treatment of PTSD or veteran's compensation for severe PTSD?

[Barack_America]

6. IMO, the entire PTSD benefit situation needs to be revamped.

Right now the government pretty much just throws money at vets with PTSD to compensate them for lost wages. That's certainly important, but OFTEN leads to family members and friends taking horrible advantage of vets with the disorder (I actually knew a guy who would occasionally check into the hospital just to get away from the people mooching off of him). There are programs to help vets actually cope with PTSD, but the intensive help most of these vets need is few and far between. I personally think the government's investments should include expanding these services, rather than just paying people off. Most of the people I have encountered with PTSD would much rather get back to some sort of a productive life than cash a monthly check, but live in a nightmare. A more service-based approach would also cut down on the number of people filing false claims (and believe me, they do exist), which is what I presume the VA is getting at with these new restrictions regarding diagnosis.

[w8liftinglady]

7. do you realize how much it kills a soldier/vet to admit they have PTSD

I know firsthand.

Trust me,many would rather die...they just pick different ways to make it happen.

My dad had severe PTSD after 8 years in VietNam.
My kid has it.
The women and men I counsel on the streets have it.
None of them are milking the system.
The military only recently began recognizing PTSD as anything but a "Pussy grunt" (per my son)
Prior to that,there was ridicule and retaliation if a troop tried to get help,if a female troop reported rape,and massive drugging of our troops to shut them the f*ck up(not good for morale,you know)
Yeah-ptsd treatment in an outpatient base sponsored by veterans is the way to go,peer-guided support groups.It happened when Shinseki took over.Things are far from perfect.People still have no clue there are 2 million veterans of this war...not counting Gulf War One,Viet Nam,Bosnia,Korea.No one talks about it...except on Veterans Day-when they wave their little flags.No mention on TV.There is a backlog even getting into the VA system,unless they are holding a knife to their wrist.It shouldn't be that way.
There continues to be talks of funding cuts.
Now,comments like yours make these kids second-guess themselves yet again.
We can be polite and quiet,waiting for things to happen.
Or...we can try to make a change for these poor men and women who gave all..just to get screwed by their country when they came home.
End of rant.

[Barack_America]

8. Um yeah, I do.

But I fail to see how my suggestion that money alone is not the answer is in any way critical of vets suffering from PTSD. The military would like to pay to make this go away. I think that does people suffering from the disorder a great disservice. Compensation certainly should be a component of any PTSD package, but therapeutic resources, both inpatient and outpatient therapy (and FYI, most of my patients have said that their inpatient treatments were most beneficial to them) needs to be expanded, as does research into PTSD and TBI. This is an issue that I am seriously considering devoting my career to, so please don't insinuate that I don't care about vets.