Disability Award - PTSD

prawnstar wrote:Welcome Yump. Not sure how they get what the 10% is. They want to re-evaluate your conditions after 8 months so they can determine what the final numbers will be, I think. Good for you for getting what you have so far. CPPD and CRA disability tax credit should be your next move.

I received my 10%, then waited 15 months to do my 2nd assessment. After a month my vac account says stage 2. But what if they determine I’m not stabile yet? Do I have to wait another year or so, do another assessment? And then what if I’m not yet deemed stable then? This could go on for ever?

You can ask for a reassessment at any time, but if it has been less than 24 months from the date of your last psych assessment, they may deny/defer your claim and ask for another psych evaluation when you are stabilized.
If you think you're ready( it's been 2 years since last application, condition worsened, or psych/doctor says you are unable to work/attend school) start your application online through MyVac under applications. When they get to your file, which may be a few months, they will mail you forms for your Dr. to fill out, as well as a Quality Of Life Questionnaire for you to fill out and return. You will need to make a psych appointment and have your Dr. fill out his portion, and you can actually find the QOL form on MyVac and submit it online.
I applied for a reassessment on August 4, 2016. I'm at stage 3 of 4 awaiting adjudication. They are still atleast 2 months behind. So around 8 mths from application to decision.
They are very backlogged currently

Hi Yump - in my case they sent me the reassessment forms after a year, if memory serves me right. Then I took them to the same psyc who did my first assessment, then one I still see. Did all the same assessment forms again, and she sent them in for me. I am TPI at 100 percent. It is near the 2 year mark. Some on here have done another reassessment at that timeframe, but I think when one is TPI, the reassessments come to an end. One would hope. Johnny, Out. VVV...

Since you guys have been through the reassessment for PTSD...what is done after the time-frame they are looking for the stability. Are you required to fill out another application or do they send out a form for the Dr, psychologist etc.... and if that is the case how long does it take for the reassessment to be awarded a disability percentage.

I agree that it is confusing, but for every Veteran who loses out on the calculation, there are Vets who benefit. To me the thing that needs to go is the 1-5/5ths calculation. It is completely arbitrary, and there is no real defense if they want to reduce that calculation.

Very true Rex in what you said, VAC plays a lot of angles to their advantage.

My pet peeve is the round up or round down.  If I get a six percent award I think I should get the full amount not five percent.  Who made this rule out of thin air and VAC follows it. They owe me money from the true calculations. Just imagine if I said to Mr.Bank manager, nah six percent is really five percent on my loan.  If he ask why would I believe that?  I would say please ask the VAC accountants and they will show the right way to rip military memebers off.  Do things only happen to us in the Veteran community because no one with real power regulates VAC and SSIP.

Bigrex - I never even thought of that, your much better at the math then me. Ya, it's all about the bean counters. The retro will be another sneaky work of numbers also I'm sure. Johnny Out,,,VVV,,,

Johnny, another way they save money is say that initial 10% equaled roughly $30000. making 50% roughly $150000. Then a year later, when the assessment is increased to 50%, you would think that they would pay you the current amount at 50%, minus the previous payment. $150000 + 1.3 COLA = 151950 - $30000 leaving a balance owing of $121950. Instead they pay the current rate of a 40% award of $121560, saving themselves $400 dollars simply by the way they do the calculations.

I've received 3 lump sum payments, in 2008, 2012 and the last one being paid last year, bringing me up to 25% under the NVC. But instead of being paid at the full 25% rate for 2016, which was $77600, minus the previous payments, I've only been paid a total of just over $71000.

Bigrex - great points. I too was given 10 percent, then went up to 50, a year or so later. But I never thought of it that way, but everyone I talk to started at 10. Another cost savings for the gov, as you said.
Johnny Out,,VVV

It is is because it can take a significant amount of time to become stabilized, and VAC received a lot of flack for letting those suffering from PTSD to go without financial support for so long while waiting for the final word from their mental health team. So they came up with the scheme to pay 10% up front, and then let the Veteran undergo the necessary treatments. They called it a compassionate move, but it was actually a cost savings measure. If VAC based their award on the symptoms when the application was made, they would likely all be on the higher end of the spectrum. But by getting that initial 10%, and then getting intensive treatment, the symptoms are likely better managed after those several months, and thus the final assessment could be significantly lower.

Thanks for the quick reply guys. I figured that the initial 10% was something that would be tough to apply to the actual table of disabilities but hopefully the "final" award will be based on the table.

Yump, Prawnstar is right. In regards to your PTSD/Major Depressive Disorder/Generalized Anxiety Disorder it's standard way of dealing with the award amount. I went thru the same procedure with VAC, got 10% for initial award and ended up with a 30% award.  Keep your appointments and meds in order and within a year you will get your increase. You will need a support group to deal with your situation and I find this forum is good for that.  You can make good friends here.

Welcome Yump. Not sure how they get what the 10% is. They want to re-evaluate your conditions after 8 months so they can determine what the final numbers will be, I think. Good for you for getting what you have so far. CPPD and CRA disability tax credit should be your next move.

Looking for some quick information. I was recently awarded 52% Disability Award (5/5th) for Meniere's Disease/Hearing Loss/Tinnitus and 10% (initial) Disability Award (4/5th) for PTSD/Major Depressive Disorder/Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Total Disability Award of 62% (paid out at 60%). Currently in receipt of EELB, PIA (Level 2), VIP and FCRB. The question I have is how does the followup for the Depressive Disorders occur. I was advised in my letter that I would be reassessed in 8 months (stabilized timeframe). What exactly do they mean by stabilized and how did the initial 10% arise from the Table of Disabilities. Just stumbled upon this site and really learning alot.