US Veterans are at risk of PTSD given the high intensity of horrific incidents happening on the battlefield & even in non-combat zones. Those who fail to sustain or cope with such disturbing events are more likely to develop the condition, which may have lasting effects and long-term consequences.
The C&P, or the Compensation and Pension test, is mandated by the VA for all veterans affected by PTSD and requests monthly monetary relief funds for supporting treatments or their daily functioning in general.
This exam assesses the severity of PTSD and grades your claim from 0% to 100% to determine your exact compensation and benefits.
Your ranking or grade in the exam depends on the specifics included in your claim, honest remarks about how you feel, and the clarity with which you describe your PTSD effects on your everyday routine. So, be prepared to be as detailed as possible.
More importantly, your PTSD must be relevant to or arising from your military service. So, any other reasons or non-combat causes will lead to the refusal of your claim. Also, if you fail to appear, your claim stands rejected automatically.
Expert Advice for a Successful PTSD Exam Evaluation
This section of the article will look at tips on how to ace your PTSD exam, specifically what to say, what not to say for a successful evaluation at a PTSD exam.
Things to SAY for a Positive PTSD Evaluation
Your PTSD symptoms form the crux of your success, so express clearly and provide as much information in the most detailed manner possible.
Remember that supporting proof would be needed for every claim or statement, so always tell the truth.
Your level of impairment must reflect in your narrative based on which the VA will finalize your disability rating, such as 10% for temporary symptoms that affect your job efficiency, 30% for occupational inefficiency followed by depression and panic attacks, 50% for decreased productivity and memory loss and so on up to 100%.
Also, it is recommended that you maintain a chronological sequence of events while describing your past traumatic experiences. A natural flow to your description will make the narrative more convincing.
Things Not to Say at a PTSD Exam
Most importantly, do not downplay your symptoms or try to speak in a way that you feel okay despite not being okay, as this can be extremely misleading. If you want the benefits, do yourself a favor and be forthright about your difficulties.
Also, refrain from downplaying the horrible memories. Everyone knows how traumatic war zones can be, so quit sugarcoating it, get to the point with all seriousness, and tell how gravely it has scarred you for life.
Doctors and government officials should not be lied to, especially when you will be reaping the benefits.
You should focus only on your mental and physical health during the entire conversation. Since this is not a counseling or therapy session, the positive aspects of your life will not matter if PTSD disability benefits are what you are looking for.
How to Pass the PTSD Claim Hurdle?
This section covers additional tips to ensure your PTSD claim is accepted without any hassles. Let’s get right into it.
1. Keep Your PTSD-Related Evidence Ready
First, consider a comprehensive diagnosis of your condition from your doctor. Your VA claim will only be accepted with a proper diagnosis by a US-based board-certified professional or mental health expert.
Suppose you are currently being counseled or treated for PTSD. In that case, you must disclose all the necessary information to the VA along with the exact timeline. Also, the VA expects you to be clear about any prescription medication you are on and its impact on your condition, whether positive or negative.
Last but not least, a detailed narrative of the PTSD-causing traumatic event during your military service is a crucial piece of evidence, so fill out the VA Form 21-4138 and attach a Statement in Support of a Claim for PTSD.
You must try to gather buddy letters and relevant testimonies from the people you trust to attest to how mentally distressing your PTSD is.
2. Know the Exam Pattern
Knowing what to expect in your C&P test and staying prepared for the challenge is important.
It is, therefore, advisable to go through all the possible PTSD-related questionnaires on the official website of US Veteran Affairs.
Your C&P exam primarily involves a self-evaluation test called the PCL-5 which consists of 20 questions. This questionnaire is designed to:
- Provide an initial diagnosis of PTSD
- Assess change in major PTSD signs and symptoms as treatment progresses
- Take into consideration your most recently experienced PTSD symptoms (past 30 days)
The maximum PCL-5 score goes up to 80, and every question carries a score of 0 to 4. For a probable PTSD diagnosis, you must exhibit one or multiple symptoms mentioned in the following questions in the test:
- First 5 questions
- Question number 6 or 7
- 2 or more questions from 8 to 14
- 2 or more questions from 15 to 20
The cut-off score for moderate or probable PTSD is 38. So, aim for a score of 38 to avoid refusal of your PTSD claim. Also, the VA is authorized to frequently use the PCL-5 assessment for gauging notable improvements or other changes in PTSD symptoms.
3. Keep Your Medical Proof Updated at All Times
Your medical history, current records, and all the details of the existing level of your PTSD disability must be clearly communicated to the VA.
Ideally, the VA expects you to give a raw, unfiltered account of your past and present life, including your experiences during your military service.
4. Verify the Details Mentioned in Your DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire)
This document or form is quite a recent release by the VA, made in March 2021, and is supposed to be filled out by your primary care physician.
This form helps collect critical medical information, and your application for PTSD disability will have more weight with this evidence. Although all the paperwork needs to be done by your doctor, you must review or verify all the information in the DBQ before submitting it to the VA to avoid any chances of refusal.
Conclusion
You can even sign up for a lawyer/attorney to build a convincing case for you that can be presented to the VA. But most of the abovementioned tips should be followed as best practices for the best results.
Also, the greater the number of supporting witnesses, the stronger your PTSD claim will be, and would help a great deal in convincing the VA.
I hope the above information will help you clear the C&P exam and make the most compelling case to get your PTSD disability benefits.
She is an experienced Clinical Psychologist and Mental Health Writer with a decade of expertise in psychology. Skilled in assessment, therapy, and patient care. Committed to helping individuals through clinical practice and mental health writing at Therapyjourney.co. Passionate about promoting mental well-being and awareness. Open to aligned opportunities.