The only VA consistency is its inconsistency and lack of transparency across the board. BTW, your no nonsense type of way to convey this information to the layman is very appreciated. thank you for all you've done helping me! You rock and I'm a huge fan!

Need help 70% ptsd with tbi residuals need 100 diagnosed 2029

I agree with your assessment that the failure of the VA Rating System is within its subjectivity when evaluating mental health. Reading through the context of mental health DBQs, there's clearly an objective motive behind the proper percentage for a mental health rating, however, it's subjective depending on the person's view of the veteran during the C&P exam. Based on a college course I took in abnormal psychology, there's clear evidence the psyche, the central nervous system, and the peripheral nervous system, are all impacted. Prior empirical scientific studies suggest the subjective (psyche) and the objective (peripheral nervous system) cause both mental and physical handicaps. For example, people diagnosed by the DSM 5 with PTSD, tend to have smaller hypothalamus' in the brain. This smaller hypothalamus is attributed to lower blood flow. The hypothalamus is extremely important for attaching memories to emotions. IMO, when a PTSD patient has a recurring traumatic event, it's because the hypothalamus has been affected by the event. This causes all sorts of other issues with the central and sympathetic nervous system, of which the brain controls. For example, I'm a 100% P&T disabled veteran. I also have secondary issues related to PTSD involving migraines, hyperhidrosis, Bell's palsy, and sleep apnea. The VA Rating System also does not take into account co-morbidities that come with mental health illnesss. For example, my PTSD has evolved with Bipolar Disorder 2. I now have co-morbidities in both and they're nearly indistinguishable. The anxiety over normal circumstances (such as a police siren, crying baby, other loud noises), causing our faster heart rates, uncontrollable shaking and sweating, headaches, inability to speak (i.e. panic attacks), seeing red anger, is our sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response) being out of control because of the way mental health issues such as PTSD, changes the size and functions of our brain's components. The VA Rating System is antiquated, and it's why experts like Dr. Finnerty are important to glue the pieces together with a nexus showing the primary mental health disability and the secondary VA claims that come from PTSD and other primary mental health claims.