Transcript Stressor Verification (powerpoint)

VA Approved Internet Stressor
Verification
Sandra Covin / Trista Barnum
Fall Conference, 2009
Objectives
General Development Considerations
Identify Appropriate Stressor
Development
General and Local Development
Research
General Development
Considerations
 Sensitive Nature of the Disorder
 Reluctance to Discuss Stressful Event
 Inability to Remember Details of Stressful Event
 Only Absolutely Necessary Information
Requested
 Avoid Triggering Stimuli
Stressor Development
 No Evidence of Record to Support Claimed
Stressor
 PTSD Development Letter
 PTSD due to Combat Stressor
 PTSD due to Personal Trauma
 Service Department Records
 Request for combat records
 Request for personal trauma records
Local Stressor Research
• C&P Stressor Verification Databases
 Compiled by Chicago VA Regional Office
Employee Over Several Years
 Contain Official Military Documents Collected
from Publicly Available Sources
 Documents Organized by C&P Service
What Resources Can Be Used?
Texas Tech University Database
Military Assistance Command (MACV)
Reports
Virtual VA
The Board of Veterans Appeals
PTSD Rating Job Aids
What Resources Can Be Used?
Transportation Histories from Fort Eustis
United States Air Force Class A
Aerospace Mishaps
US Navy Seabee Museum
The Dictionary of American Fighting
Ships
Gulf Link
Defense Link
What Is An Acceptable Website?
 C&P will endorse information from any website
that is a military (.mil) or government (.gov)
site.
 Other sites also have value, primarily as a
means to find “official” information.
 Educational sites (.edu) like Texas Tech
University, which contain PDF file repositories
of official military documents and provide a
search function.
How Much Verification Is
Needed?
Case - by - Case
All Evidence Must be Weighed
“Credible Supporting Evidence” to
Corroborate the Occurrence of the
Claimed Stressor
Joint Services Records Research
Center (JSRRC)
 Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard
 Historical Information on Individual Units
 Some Personnel Records Related to Stressful Events
 Marine Corps
 Marine Corps Archives
 Summary of Findings Only
 No Evaluation of Evidence, Opinions, Conclusions,
or Decisions
Joint Services Records Research
Center
 JSRRC Cannot Verify:
 Almost Happened
 Civilian Involvement
 Enemy Prisoner Treatment
 Sniper Attacks
 Convoy Travel
 Door Gunner Duty
Scenario
Questions??????
Thank You!!!!!