Part of my problem is getting panic attacks, and as such I have a tendency to want to vacate any doctor or any meeting in general as fast as possible. This has given me problems in the past, but in the heat of the moment I have a history of not advocating for myself and just give quick answers.
Is it ok to bring with me something I write down to explain my symptoms, or is that looked down upon?
Absolutely. I think with all of the medical issues most of us have going on it would be crazy if you didn't.
QTC will also have you fill out their questionnaire. Make sure you do so before the appointment and take a copy with you.
I also took my pertinent records and a timeline of events for each medical diagnosis. I offered each examiner (QTC and VA specialist) a copy.
The docs openly admitted not reviewing my entire medical record so this was beneficial. I was able to tell them a date, flip to the ahlta notes, radiology results, or civilian specialist paperwork and show them what it said. Don't rush and don't guess because that could come back to bite you.
Honestly the VA specialists were more interested in having the correct information than the QTC doc and it showed in their notes. The VA docs used multiple quotes from my medical records and were pretty much spot on with how I thought it would go. The QTC doc....not so much. Numerous errors/omissions (MRI results/X-ray results not included in DBQ, Specialists diagnoses not included in DBQ, etc.) had me a little fired up when I saw the C&P exams but I am working with the IDES attorney to get things cleared up.
All I can do at this point is provide documentation to the VA MSC refuting the errors and move forward. It will take up a little more of my time but is low hanging fruit at the end of the day.
Most importantly, I would ensure that you reach out to some type of legal entity to guide you through this process.
My understanding is that the Air Force likes to refer as few conditions as possible instead of following the DOD instruction so read up on the regs, hold them accountable, and exercise your rights at every opportunity (request an extension, IMR, Rebuttal, etc).
Part of my problem is getting panic attacks, and as such I have a tendency to want to vacate any doctor or any meeting in general as fast as possible. This has given me problems in the past, but in the heat of the moment I have a history of not advocating for myself and just give quick answers.
Is it ok to bring with me something I write down to explain my symptoms, or is that looked down upon?
My anxiety and panic attacks cause my fight or flight reaction to go off when I am faced with new places/people, and my mind gets so cluttered that I have a hard time speaking to people. Before my mental health exam at QTC, I went through the VASRD and wrote down all the symptoms I had that matched my diagnosis, and I told the dr that I have a hard time remembering things and speaking clearly when I am uncomfortable. She was fine with me reading off the list, and I think it actually made her job a little easier because she is checking for the exact same things when she fills out the DBQ.
I brought notes with me along with my Migraine journal and he said it wasn't necessary and took my word for it. It probably all depends on the doctor. My DBQ's reflected what I answered.
Absolutely. I think with all of the medical issues most of us have going on it would be crazy if you didn't.
QTC will also have you fill out their questionnaire. Make sure you do so before the appointment and take a copy with you.
I also took my pertinent records and a timeline of events for each medical diagnosis. I offered each examiner (QTC and VA specialist) a copy.
The docs openly admitted not reviewing my entire medical record so this was beneficial. I was able to tell them a date, flip to the ahlta notes, radiology results, or civilian specialist paperwork and show them what it said. Don't rush and don't guess because that could come back to bite you.
Honestly the VA specialists were more interested in having the correct information than the QTC doc and it showed in their notes. The VA docs used multiple quotes from my medical records and were pretty much spot on with how I thought it would go. The QTC doc....not so much. Numerous errors/omissions (MRI results/X-ray results not included in DBQ, Specialists diagnoses not included in DBQ, etc.) had me a little fired up when I saw the C&P exams but I am working with the IDES attorney to get things cleared up.
All I can do at this point is provide documentation to the VA MSC refuting the errors and move forward. It will take up a little more of my time but is low hanging fruit at the end of the day.
Most importantly, I would ensure that you reach out to some type of legal entity to guide you through this process.
My understanding is that the Air Force likes to refer as few conditions as possible instead of following the DOD instruction so read up on the regs, hold them accountable, and exercise your rights at every opportunity (request an extension, IMR, Rebuttal, etc).
There was a questionnaire that was for my general/physical appointment but there wasn't one with the behavioral appointment. At least on the portal they had me sign in on there wasn't one attached. Should I bring one for behavioral anyways? I just want to make sure there are no errors here because I don't think I'll last much longer here staying for a formal board or anything.
There was a questionnaire that was for my general/physical appointment but there wasn't one with the behavioral appointment. At least on the portal they had me sign in on there wasn't one attached. Should I bring one for behavioral anyways? I just want to make sure there are no errors here because I don't think I'll last much longer here staying for a formal board or anything.
If you are going to the the mental health doc at QTC, you should have a questionnaire. Even if you didn't , I would go through the rolling list and pick out every symptom you have. Don't worry about what category you are in, they will see how the majority of your symptoms align with the rating percentage.
what is the questionnaire called for the psych exam? I got a packet from the ones doing the exam but they didn't include any questionnaire for them. Couldn't hurt to look at one but I don't know what it's called.
what is the questionnaire called for the psych exam? I got a packet from the ones doing the exam but they didn't include any questionnaire for them. Couldn't hurt to look at one but I don't know what it's called.
My anxiety and panic attacks cause my fight or flight reaction to go off when I am faced with new places/people, and my mind gets so cluttered that I have a hard time speaking to people. Before my mental health exam at QTC, I went through the VASRD and wrote down all the symptoms I had that matched my diagnosis, and I told the dr that I have a hard time remembering things and speaking clearly when I am uncomfortable. She was fine with me reading off the list, and I think it actually made her job a little easier because she is checking for the exact same things when she fills out the DBQ.
I have a rather large list of things. I mean-looking at the rolling list I have everything on there except maybe one or two things. They were cool with you just going through and listing all those things? I'm always worried they'll think I'm lying to get a higher rating.
I have a rather large list of things. I mean-looking at the rolling list I have everything on there except maybe one or two things. They were cool with you just going through and listing all those things? I'm always worried they'll think I'm lying to get a higher rating.
Gotcha. My issue is I don't even tell everything to mental health since I just want to get the heck out of there asap. Anyways, today is the day. Hope all is well with everyone.
She read some of my notes but when I read it she didn't take any notes. Not sure I'll get a fair shake since she wasn't really listening. Hopefully the new narsum will show me something in regards to what she wrote.
