These examination worksheets are in Adobe PDF format.

Go to web site above if those listed below don’t open for you, click on type of C&P Exam you have coming up.. review.  Also good guide for any civilian doctor.

God Bless
Jose M. Garcia PNC
National Deputy Service Officer
Catholic War Veterans,USA
josegarcia4@sbcglobal.net
Better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot.
In God We Trust

To reach out to all Veterans and bring them into the system. Enrollment is open again for Priority 8 clients.

The electronic medical records system is to be installed at every facility

More resources dedicated to mental health

Veterans health benefits will not be reduced or impacted in any way by national health care reform. (note this is health care reform, not insurance reform).

Insure that veterans are not denied benefits because links have not yet been made to war-zone burn pits. Evidence is still coming in and no premature decision should be made, like the exposure to the atomic tests in the 1950’s. Agent Orange in Vietnam,( which is now known to have been utilized 2.4 times more often than was reported), or toxins in the 1991 Gulf War.

Boosting the VA funding is going to be a necessity for many years to come as the Iraq and Afghan vets rotate home for maybe the next 10 years. We know this will be the case, and this time around we can plan ahead instead of crimping the VA budget, just to go begging and then have the media shout that we are not taking care of our troops.
The bean counters are struggling with this, as we have never in the history of modern warfare had so many survivors who have lost limbs and mental faculties. As we provide a guardianship for the world this going to pester us for years to come

Disability compensation is a monetary benefit paid to veterans who are disabled by injury or illness that was incurred or aggravated during active military service. These disabilities are considered to be service connected. Disability compensation varies with the degree of disability and the number of veterans dependents, and is paid monthly. Veterans with severe disabilities may be eligible for additional special monthly compensation. The benefits are not subject to federal or state income tax. For additional eligibility questions visit the Web site at http://www.vba.va.gov/bin/21/

The application process begins with locating and producing the veterans DD-214, known as the Discharge summary. It is advisable to then locate an accredited Service Officer with one of the Veterans fraternal organizations, eg, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Purple Heart Association, AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America. Most all States also have State and County Veterans Affairs offices that will assist in the claim process.
The next step is to request form SRF-180 to gather all of your medical and in-service records. Your service officer will have these or they can be found at http://www.va.gov/vaforms. You can also call 1-800-827-1000 and the VA will start your claim over the phone.

The veteran will then complete V A Form 21-22 granting power of attorney to the claimant’s representative, and V A Form 21-4142 giving consent to release all records to the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is not advisable to file a claim without assistance of an accredited veteran service officer. Many of the fraternal organizations have volunteer service officers who can guide the veterans through the forms process. While it may cause some anxiety, it is really a rather simple and straightforward process. The Veterans Administration has excelled at streamlining the process.

The next form contains the primary request of the veteran. It is VA Form 21-526. Application for Compensation and Pension. This is followed by V A Form 21-4138 which is the Statement in Support of Claim. It is advised to seek help from a skilled counselor as you fill this out in your own words. It means telling a story that may be hard to recall or to place in narrative form. It is often helpful to speak to a battle buddy who has completed this process.

Once the VA has awarded service connection for PTSD, it will then review the most current clinical evidence of record to determine how the severity of your symptoms impairs your social and industrial capacity, meaning your ability to find and retain gainful employment. The VA has a schedule of rating disabilities located in Title 38 C F R. Part 4.

The VA has adopted the criteria established in the DSM-lV as the basis for rating PTSD. There is also a diagnostic matrix called the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale that if used to determine your level of impairment. You can share this with your medical care provider who can prepare a report or opinion letter for submission to the VA describing your full spectrum of symptoms.

Rest assured that many good men and women have navigated this process to discover a great deal of contentment in their transition to civilian life.

Having a support system is of vital importance. The Vet Centers around the nation provide that support and validation of your experiences. They provide re-adjustment counseling to any veteran who served in the military in any theatre of combat operation during any period of war or any area where hostilities occurred. These small community-based facilities provide a holistic mix of counseling and community social services, such as referrals to programs like the ones offered at the Merritt Center.

The Merritt Center has a volunteer service officer who serves as a mentor to attendees in the workshops. Michael Patrick Brewer/USMC/ 520-360-6933 email: pointmanchaplain@aol.com. Hot line 520-540-7000