Core Competencies in VA Compensation and Pension Exams for PTSD and Other Mental Disorders

Abstract

The concept of core competencies has in recent years seen a rising interest as the mental health field has increasingly focused on empirically validated approaches to assessment and intervention. VA compensation and pension (C&P) examiners are required to complete some basic training outlined by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), but little has been put forth about the specific skills, knowledge, and attitudes required of the examiner. Outlining core competencies for C&P examiners helps gauge to what extent an examiner meets the standards of their professional role. Such a framework is helpful for those responsible for training new examiners within the VA as well as for contracted examiners who need continuing education. Additionally, core competencies provide experienced examiners a framework to help self-evaluate as they continue to develop their skills. This article does not intend to address how to perform C&P examinations, because such issues have been addressed thoroughly elsewhere (i.e., Moering in Psychological Injury and Law, 4: 217–234, 2011; Ridgeway in Psychological Injury and Law, 5: 72–87, 2012; Worthen & Moering in Psychological Injury and Law, 4: 187–216, 2011). It does, however, attempt to describe the core competencies required by those clinicians who perform posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental disorders C&P evaluations on behalf of the VA.

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