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Rougetet wrote:

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dittybopper wrote:

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Was talking to my MH counselor on Tues and she said the .xx numbers were also codes and that the second number after the DIT  was severity.  Can anyone elaborate on these two code?

tks in advance,
DB

Actually, the codes you are referring to are ICD-9 CM (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Module) used by all physicians to indicate a diagnosis.  DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) often uses ICD-9 CM codes to indicate diagnosis.  Within DSM-IV the codes mean:

293.83 = Mood disorder (and there should be a due to condition listed)
296.30 = Major depressive disorder unspecified

To find out more about ICD-9 CM and their importance in your VA medical records, see the following VBN thread:  http://vets.yuku.com/topic/18190 

If you were expecting those two specific codes to be referring to a PTSD diagnosis - they do not.  The DSM-IV (and ICD-9 CM) code for PTSD is 309.81.  The 290 series of ICD-9 CM instead refers to psychoses.

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just looking for a full and understandable explanation of what those two codes mean............in full.  Getting a straight answer from my psych is like milking an eel.  Saw him yesterday and when I asked him for a copy of his exam notes from a visit in March and those from today you would think I squirted his mouth full of lime juice.  I told him I needed it to send to the VA and for my records.  He said come back in a week and I could get them.  Last time he told me that it took 27 days.  I don't know if I have 27 days left or not before my claim goes into decision.

DB