Falsely claiming PTSD for VA benefits?

I have a real problem with VA Comp & Pen psychologists who diagnose mental illness, PTSD and Somatoform Disorder. Since 1994, I carry a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (subset Gulf War Illness), which excludes ALL other diagnoses, including mental illness. In 2007, and within 5 minutes at VA Comp & Pen, I was diagnosed with somatoform disorder by an incompetent psychologist. My VA appeal included 27 pages of blood tests / diagnoses that make up the cluster of diseases and symptoms found in CFS / autoimmune diseases. Based on DSM5, only psychiatrists who have observed patients for 3 months can diagnose PTSD or Somatoform Disorder or any other mental illness. (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) Vol. 5) Claiming PTSD without valid reason is definitely fraud, criminally and civilly. Have you submitted a complaint to VA Office of Inspector General (OIG)? Once VA OIG receives a hotline call or a written form of complaint from its website, OIG must follow through. https://www.va.gov/oig/hotline/default.asp . . . "The OIG hotline receives, screens, and determines the disposition of complaints concerning veterans or VA that relate to potentially unlawful activity or potential violations of rules or regulations; fraud, waste, and abuse; and gross mismanagement of VA programs and operations." . . . Other Contact Resources
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At the VA I have encountered at least 75 percent are full of bull shit! Most are total fakes applying for disability in many different areas! Most are easily found,

The VA abuse [making false claims] is outrageous. They just opened the barrel. They can easily have 1000+ cases a year if the inspectors look. A lot of VA funds have been misdirected to other programs. The VA is a medical program and not a society/welfare program. Enough said.

You are the problem. You are why some ppl never get help and would rather commit suicide. Unless you have a degree or the money is being taken from your check, mind ya business.

Here is a quick explanation of Service Connections works.
"A VA service-connected disability is an injury or disease incurred in or aggravated beyond normal progression during active military service."

What's this mean? Well, here's an example: Say you had a knee injury before entering the military; if something happened that even worsened this condition, you qualify for SC if you can prove that during your service in the military, it had gotten worse. Simply put, the injury DOES NOT have to originate from your military service; you have to prove it got worse.

Remove all personal weapons from his home and not allow him to possess or own any weapons. This includes hunting. Let him go fishing as he has been doing all his military career.

P.T.S.D. MUST Be Such A Broad Field.
I Was TOLD I Have P.T.S.D. By The Doctors & It's On My Medical Records...
.But I Do NOT Think So Myself...
I Think THEY'RE Full Of SH*T.

In this specific situation, I would say he should be investigated. If your scenario is accurate, then at a minimum, benefits should be denied and reimbursement should be considered. Consideration of Fraud charges either with civilian court or under the UCMJ is also in order. It is hard to think that he was so good at faking this that he fooled all of the professionals and Doctors he had to talk to to get that 100% rating. I sincerely hope this is not wide spread and taking services from those who need and deserve it.

I’m always intrigued by discussions on PTSD. There are a lot of myths and misunderstandings. For the record, I’m a licensed professional with three board certifications in diagnosing and treating PTSD. Often, the term is used too broadly to describe traumatic experiences that don’t meet the diagnostic threshold. Only certain very specific types of trauma with specified post traumatic symptoms qualify for PTSD. Lesser traumas can meet the criteria for other trauma or stress disorders, such as an adjustment disorder. Not everyone who has been in a combat zone gets PTSD. They may be stressed or even traumatized by the experience, but that doesn’t equate to any form of PTSD necessarily. I carry 10-20 veterans on my caseload at any time as a provider in the VA community care network. My experience with VA behavioral health is that the quality of the service depends on where you are. My clients have been universally unimpressed with their treatment at the VA for a variety of reasons. Many of the VA providers in my area are not adequately qualified or trained to treat PTSD and a variety of other issues.

Do some veterans fake their PTSD? I’m sure that’s the case. A trained, competent therapist is a lot harder to fool. While it’s true that some veterans with PTSD downplay their situation with their families, are non-compliant with treatment, and lie, these can still be red flags to look into. The case related by OP sounds sufficiently suspicious to be examined further. On a further note, even those veterans whose trauma doesn’t meet criteria for PTSD need treatment. Often, many of the signs and symptoms are the same as PTSD and respond well to the same behavioral health interventions.

PTSD is highly personal. Who are we to get inside someone's head. If the man served in a war zone, then he deserves the benefit of the doubt. Any dishonest or dishonorable intent is something he has to carry as a man.