PTSD Section from the DSM-iv: Differential Diagnosis
In Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, the stressor must be of an extreme (i.e.,
life- threatening) nature. In contrast, in Adjustment Disorder, the stressor can
be of any severity. The diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder is appropriate both
for situations in which the response to an extreme stressor does not meet the
criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (or another specific mental
disorder) and for situations in which the symptom pattern of Posttraumatic
Stress Disorder occurs in response to a stressor that is not extreme (e.g.,
spouse leaving, being fired).
Not all psychopathology that occurs in individuals exposed to an extreme
stressor should necessarily be attributed to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Symptoms of avoidance, numbing, and increased arousal that are present before
exposure to the stressor do not meet criteria for the diagnosis of
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and require consideration of other diagnoses
(e.g., a Mood Disorder or another Anxiety Disorder). Moreover, if the symptom
response pattern to the extreme stressor meets criteria for another mental
disorder (e.g., Brief Psychotic Disorder, Conversion Disorder, Major Depressive
Disorder), these diagnoses should be given instead of, or in addition to,
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Acute Stress Disorder is distinguished from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
because the symptom pattern in Acute Stress Disorder must occur within 4 weeks
of the traumatic event and resolve within that 4-week period. If the symptoms
persist for more than 1 month and meet criteria for Posttraumatic Stress
Disorder, the diagnosis is changed from Acute Stress Disorder to Posttraumatic
Stress Disorder.
In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, there are recurrent intrusive thoughts, but
these are experienced as inappropriate and are not related to an experienced
traumatic event. Flashbacks in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder must be
distinguished from illusions, hallucinations, and other perceptual disturbances
that may occur in Schizophrenia, other Psychotic Disorders, Mood Disorder With
Psychotic Features, a delirium, Substance-Induced Disorders, and Psychotic
Disorders Due to a General Medical Condition.
Malingering should be ruled out in those situations in which financial
remuneration, benefit eligibility, and forensic determinations play a role.
(Provided by our friends at the NVO www.nvo.org)
Compensation and Pension Examination
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
One of the "required" forms
for PTSD in Oregon is the PTSD Questionnaire. That is mandatory. No PTSD
claim is process without it. I hope the following helps:
Name:
SSN:
Date of Exam:
C-number
Place of Exam:
Narrative: Service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
requires medical evidence establishing a clear diagnosis of the condition,
credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually
occurred, and a link, established by medical evidence, between current
symptomatology and the claimed in-service stressor. It is the
responsibility of the examiner to indicate the extreme traumatic stressor
leading to PTSD, if he or she make the diagnosis of
PTSD. It is the responsibility of the rating specialist to confirm that
the cited stressor occurred during active duty. A diagnosis of PTSD cannot be
adequately documented or ruled out without obtaining a detailed military
history and reviewing the claims folder. This means that
initial review of the folder prior to examination, the history and examinations
itself, and the dictation for an examination initially establishing PTSD will
often require more time than for examinations of other disorders. Ninety
minutes to two hours on an initial exam in normal.
A. Review of Medical Records:
B. Medical History (Subjective Complaints):
Comment on:
1. Past Medical History:
a. Previous hospitalizations and outpatient care.
b. Medical and occupational history (from the time between last rating
examination and the present need be accounted for, UNLESS the purpose of this
examination is to ESTABLISH service connection, then complete medical history
including description of stressors and history since discharge from military
service is required.
c. Review of Claims Folder is also required on initial exams to establish
or rule out the diagnosis.
2. Present Medical, occupational and social
history - over the past one year.
a. Frequency, severity and duration of psychiatric symptoms.
b. Length of remissions, to include capacity for adjustment during
periods of remissions.
c. Extent of social impairment and time lost from work over the past 12
month period. If employed, identify current occupation and length of time
at this job.
If unemployed, note in complaints whether veteran contends it is due to the
effects of a mental disorder. Further discuss in DIAGNOSIS what factors,
and objective findings support or rebut that contention.
3. Subjective complaints:
a. Describe fully.
C. Examination (Objective Findings):
Address each of the following and fully describe:
1. Stressor information: Clearly describe the stressor.
Particularly if the stressor is a type of personal assault, including sexual
assault, provide information, with examples, if possible, on behavioral,
cognitive, social, or affective changes that the veteran links to the
stressor. Include information on related somatic symptoms. If
there is a history of multiple stressor, assess the impact of each, to the
extent possible.
2. Mental status exam to confirm or establish diagnosis in accordance
with DSM-IV:
a. Are all diagnostic criteria to establish a diagnosis for 309.81
Post=traumatic Stress Disorder, as specified in DSM-IV, fully met?
b.. For initial examination to establish service connection, fully
discuss the criteria in steps A through F supporting or ruling out the
diagnosis.
c. Describe any associated symptoms.
d. Specify onset and duration of symptoms as acute, chronic, or with
delayed onset.
3. Describe in detail the linkage between the stressor and the current
symptoms and clinical findings.
4. Describe and fully explain the existence, frequency and extend of the
following signs and symptoms, or any others present, and relate how they
interfere with employment and social functioning:
a. Impairment of thought process or communication.
b. Delusions, hallucinations and their persistence.
c. Inappropriate behavior cited with examples.
d. Suicidal or homicidal thoughts, ideation or plans or intent.
e. Ability to maintain minimal personal hygiene and other basis
activities of daily living.
f. Orientation to person, place and time.
g. Memory loss, or impairment (both short and long-term).
h. Obsessive or ritualistic behavior which interferes with routine
activities and describe any found.
i. Rate and flow of speech and note any irrelevant, illogical, or obscure
speech patterns and whether constant or intermittent.
j. Panic attacks noting the severity, duration, frequency and affect on
independent functioning and whether clinically observed or good evidence of
prior clinical or equivalent observation is shown.
k. Depression, depressed mood or anxiety.
l. Impaired impulse control and its effect on motivation or mood.
m. Sleep impairment and describe extent it interferes with daytime
activities.
n. Other symptoms and the extent they interfere with activities.
D. Diagnostic Tests:
1. Provide psychological testing if deemed necessary.
2. If testing is requested, the results must be reported and considered
in arriving at the diagnosis.
3. Provide specific evaluation information required by the rating board
or on a BVA Remand.
a. Competency: State whether the veteran is capable of managing his
or her benefit payments in the individual's own best interest (a physical disability
which prevents the veteran from attending to financial matters in person is not
a proper basis for a finding of incompetence unless the veteran is, by reason
of that disability, incapable of directing someone else in handling the
individual's financial affairs).
b. Other Opinion: Furnish any other specific opinion requested by
the rating board or BVA remand furnishing the complete rationale and citation
of medical texts or treatise supporting opinion, if medical literature review
was undertaken. If the requested opinion is medically not ascertainable
on exam or testing please state why. If the requested opinion can not be
expressed without resorting to speculation or making improbable assumptions say
so, and explain why. If the opinion asks "...is it at least as
likely as not...", fully explain the clinical findings and rationale for
the opinion.
4. Include results of all diagnostic and clinical tests conducted in the
examination report.
E. Diagnosis:
Provide:
1. The Diagnosis must conform to DSM-IV and be supported by the findings
on the examination report.
2. If the diagnosis is changed, explain fully whether the new diagnosis
represents a progression of the prior diagnosis or development of a new and
separate condition.
3. Is there are multiple mental disorders, delineate to the extent
possible the symptoms associated with each and a discussion of relationship.
4. Evaluation is based on the effects of the signs and symptoms on
occupational and social functioning.
NOTE: VA is prohibited by statue from paying compensation for a
disability that is a result of the veteran's own ALCOHOL OR DRUG ABUSE, whether
based on direct service connection, secondary service connection, or
aggravation by a service-connected condition. Therefore, when alcohol or
drug abuse accompanies or is associated with another mental disorder, separate,
to the extent possible, the
effects of the alcohol or drug abuse from the effects of the other mental
disorder(s). If it is not possible to separate the effects, explain why.
F. Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF).
NOTE: The complete multi-axial format as specified by DSM-IV may be
required by BVA REMAND or specifically requested by the rating
specialist. If so, include the GAF score and note whether it refers to
current functioning over the past years, etc.
If multiple Axis I or II diagnoses exist, attempt to the extent possible to
provide a GAF score for the service connected conditions alone as well as a
separate overall GAF score based on all mental disorders present, and explain
and discuss you rationale. (See the above note pertaining to alcohol or
drug abuse, the effects of which cannot be used to assess the effects of a
service-connected condition). If it is not possible to separate the symptomatology,
explain why.
DSM-IV is only for application from 11/7/96 on. Therefore, when
applicable note whether the diagnosis of PTSD was supportable under DSM III-R
prior to that date. The prior criteria under DSM III-R are provided as an
attachment.
Signature:
Date: