DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Veterans Health Administration

Washington DC 20420

cember 12,2008 In Reply Refer To:

ne L. Weismann, Esq.
ief Counsel
izens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW)
00 Eye Street, NW, Suite 450
ashington, DC 20005

ar Ms. Weismann:

is is in response to your June 10,2008, letter to the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA)
fice of General Counsel, which was referred to the Veterans Health Administration for further
cessing. In your letter you request:

all records from January 1,2001, to the present relating to any and
all guidance given to any VA Staff, consultants and/or other
recipient(s) of federal funds regarding the diagnosis of post
traumatic stress disorder ("PTSD") in veterans. This request
includes, but is not limited to, any and all records that reflect or
contain guidance on (l) whether or not to make a diagnosis of
PTSD; (2) alternative diagnoses that should or could be made in
lieu of diagnosing PTSD; (3) time or expense factors bearing on a
diagnosis of PTSD; and (4) guidance on PTSD diagnoses as they
relate to veteran appeals.

I understand your request, you are seeking copies of any VA guidance given to clinicians on
w, when, or why to diagnose PTSD. This response includes the second mailing of documents
t the Veterans Health Administration has determined is responsive to your request.

you have any questions concerning the contents of this response, I may be reached at (202)
1-5876.

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D Timothy H. Graham
Acting VHA FOIA Officer