Chosen Solution
I have a problem with my vita where I cannot use my: dpad, R trigger, cross, circle square and triangle buttons in applications. I have tried to do the following; format my sd card thingy, rebuild the database and restore my settings to normal.
open up ur vita and wash the shoulder buttons and the glue around them then it may work fine or if still doesnt work then take off the shoulder buttons Update my solution sounds stupid but trust me it works