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Practical Use of MMPI-2-RF Validity Indicators in VA Compensation and Pension Examinations

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Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder is becoming increasingly compensable and is susceptible to feigning. US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation and pension evaluators should carefully consider the classification accuracy of the validity scales they use to determine if veterans are feigning mental health symptoms. Although the MMPI-2-RF is useful in detecting feigned PTSD in VA compensation and pension examinations, the validity scale results are impacted by certain clinical conditions such as PTSD. Fp-r accurately differentiates veterans honestly reporting PTSD from feigners, with some concern about moderating factors. Due to issues with F-r’s classification accuracy and limited research on the ability of Fs, FBS-r, or RBS to accurately detect feigning of PTSD symptoms, detailed collateral information is needed to make conclusions regarding feigning. VRIN-r and TRIN-r are specific to random responders at the recommended cut score for veterans diagnosed with PTSD and feigners with low sensitivity for TRIN-r. Examiners should take into account the variety of interpretations that can be associated with invalid MMPI-2-RF profiles and consider comparison group norms specific to the evaluation context as well as relevant collateral information.

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Correspondence to Christopher L. Ray.

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Ray, C.L. Practical Use of MMPI-2-RF Validity Indicators in VA Compensation and Pension Examinations. Psychol. Inj. and Law 10, 223–233 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12207-017-9289-3

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