2024
Examining bias in the award of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits for posttraumatic stress disorder in women veterans: Analysis of evaluation reports and VA decisions
Gianoli M, Meisler A, Gordon R. Examining bias in the award of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits for posttraumatic stress disorder in women veterans: Analysis of evaluation reports and VA decisions. Journal Of Traumatic Stress 2024, 37: 586-593. PMID: 38462544, DOI: 10.1002/jts.23034.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPosttraumatic stress disorderWomen veteransVeterans AffairsStress disorderOdds ratioU.S. Department of Veterans AffairsMilitary sexual traumaVeterans Affairs (VADepartment of Veterans AffairsPsychiatric symptomsPercentage of disabilityMental disordersSexual traumaSex differencesVA policyService-connectedDisability examinationsSecondary analysisDisability benefitsVeteransDisordersPromote equityDisability programsDisabilityNegative biasMilitary sexual trauma-related posttraumatic stress disorder service-connection: Characteristics of claimants and award denial across gender, race, and compared to combat trauma
Webermann A, Gianoli M, Rosen M, Portnoy G, Runels T, Black A. Military sexual trauma-related posttraumatic stress disorder service-connection: Characteristics of claimants and award denial across gender, race, and compared to combat trauma. PLOS ONE 2024, 19: e0280708. PMID: 38206995, PMCID: PMC10783784, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280708.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMilitary sexual traumaSexual traumaBlack veteransVeterans Benefits AdministrationVeterans' claimsPosttraumatic stress disorderBenefits administrationWomen veteransWhite veteransSystemic barriersService-connectedStress disorderMen veteransCharacteristics of claimantsStressor typeGenderCombat traumaClaimsRaceArmy veteransDenialEffect sizeUnderserved backgroundsVeteransHigher odds
2023
Compensation and Pension Exams for Military Sexual Trauma–Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Examiner Perspectives, Clinical Impacts on Veterans, and Strategies
Webermann A, Nester M, Gianoli M, Black A, Rosen M, Mattocks K, Portnoy G. Compensation and Pension Exams for Military Sexual Trauma–Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Examiner Perspectives, Clinical Impacts on Veterans, and Strategies. Women's Health Issues 2023, 33: 428-434. PMID: 37003918, DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2023.02.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVHA mental health careMental health carePosttraumatic stress disorderMilitary sexual traumaVeterans Benefits AdministrationClinical impactHealth careWomen veteransStress disorderSexual traumaPotential clinical impactCurrent psychosocial functioningThousands of veteransPsychotherapy referralsDiagnostic evaluationPsychosocial functioningDisability claimsPTSD symptomsVeteransCareTraumaExaminersExamDisordersExaminers’ responses
2022
Proposed Changes to the Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Rating Rubric for Mental Disorders
Gianoli M, Meisler A, Rosen M. Proposed Changes to the Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Rating Rubric for Mental Disorders. Psychiatric Services 2022, 74: 628-635. PMID: 36510762, DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.20220377.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMental disordersVeterans AffairsFunctional impairmentSymptom-based algorithmMental health conditionsPosttraumatic stress disorderRating schedulePsychiatric symptomsCurrent standard practiceStress disorderHealth conditionsDisordersDomains of functionDisability systemDisability benefitsExamination proceduresDisability determinationImpairmentStudy dataSignificant changesVeteransReal-world functioningStandard practiceRating rubricAward amountPTSD Disability Examinations in the Department of Veterans Affairs: A Comparison of Telehealth and In-Person Exams
Gianoli M, Meisler A. PTSD Disability Examinations in the Department of Veterans Affairs: A Comparison of Telehealth and In-Person Exams. Professional Psychology Research And Practice 2022, 53: 626-630. DOI: 10.1037/pro0000479.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPosttraumatic stress disorderInitial posttraumatic stress disorderMental health conditionsUse of telehealthComparison of telehealthVA ConnecticutPTSD disabilityVeterans AffairsTelehealth technologyStress disorderDisability claimsHealth conditionsTelehealthPension examinationsSubstantial percentageDisability examinationsSignificant differencesCOVID-19 pandemicExaminationExamPresent studyPsychological examsVAAdequate reliabilityPrior studies
2020
Zonisamide as an Adjunctive Treatment to Cognitive Processing Therapy for Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Comorbid Alcohol Use Disorder: A Pilot Study
Petrakis I, Ralevski E, Arias AJ, DeNegre D, Newcomb J, Gianoli M, McCarthy E, Meshberg‐Cohen S, Yoon G. Zonisamide as an Adjunctive Treatment to Cognitive Processing Therapy for Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Comorbid Alcohol Use Disorder: A Pilot Study. American Journal On Addictions 2020, 29: 515-524. PMID: 32462773, DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13061.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAlcohol-Related DisordersAnticonvulsantsCognitive Behavioral TherapyCombined Modality TherapyDiagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry)Double-Blind MethodFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPatient SatisfactionPilot ProjectsStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticTreatment OutcomeVeterans HealthZonisamideConceptsAlcohol use disorderPosttraumatic stress disorderCognitive processing therapyComorbid alcohol use disorderSymptoms of PTSDUse disordersStress disorderPilot studyNonsignificant higher rateDouble-blind fashionReal-world treatmentCurrent alcohol dependenceEvidence-based psychotherapiesHigh rateAdjunctive treatmentPreliminary efficacyTreatment strategiesPsychosocial treatmentsPTSD outcomesZonisamideAlcohol dependencePlaceboLarger studyAlcohol useDisorders