Quaymar

I wish Cattleman's had cheap steaks like that. I've been there 5 times now....LOVE that place! You wouldn't recognize Ft. Bliss anymore. It has tripled in size just in the last 5 years. "Main Post" has moved out to Biggs Field...that's the center of the Bliss universe right now.

Wow...you have already received a lot of good advice so all I can say is that my prayers are with you. I hope it works out for you and your husband!

Yep, you're probably right...I'm just trying to be optimistic. As of today, it's been 2 weeks since my rebuttal was submitted.

Well, I imagine that they would have said so already if their answer was negative.

So...I submitted a rebuttal to my NARSUM (DA Form 3947) asking that something (Severe Chronic Depression) be changed from "below the line" (Fitting) to "above the line" (Unfitting) back on the 6th. It's been 10 days now...could that be a good sign? I would imagine that I would already know it if they were going to disagree with my rebuttal by now...no?

Yeah, I can speak from first hand experience that the mental health care system within the military is horrible. We have soldiers here at Ft. Bliss that go "off their meds" all the time because they cannot get back in to see a "prescriber" in time. To schedule an appt. takes about a month and they offer 2 "walk-in" appt's each day but it's still not enough to meet the needs of the soldiers here. And, what's worse, is we have a couple Brigades returning from Afghanistan soon. They really need some more staff here and quick.

That's awesome...congrats!

What does T&P stand for and what is DAV?

Congrats! I hope to get about the same.

Cool...congrats!

Awesome pictures!

Still haven't heard from them...

Thank you. I know that I could make a strong argument that the doctor should have said yes rather than no. How could all of these symptoms NOT impair occupational and social functioning???

I appreciate the feedback....thanks!

Yep, I was also able to just walk into the VA here and go to the records dept. and get a copy of both my physical C&P and the mental C&P. All I had to do was show ID and sign a form. It took all of about 20 minutes including driving time. =)

I started the MEB/PEB process the first week of January. It is now called the IDES system where you are processed through the DoD and VA simultaneously. This saves a lot of time in the long run. From what I have heard and read, this process is taking anywhere from just a few months (rarely) to over 2 years or more. The average seems to be about 6-9 months. And, yes, I am on active duty in the Army right now.

As an update... I just had the last of a series of 3 bilateral epidural injections in my lower back due to lower back pain. If those don't work, I will be facing yet another surgery on my lower back this time. This would be in addition to the fusion I already had on my upper spine. I have missed another 7 days of work due to these injections as well. If I should need the surgery, should I put it off until I get out or have it done while I am still on active duty?

Yeah, from what I have read, I believe that they will try that. However, not only do I have these mental health issues but I also have may back, left foot and left wrist. With all of those combined, I should get 30% or more but I am not counting on anything at this point.

Heh, I JUST got an answer last week. And they declined me. They said that I would probably get less than 20%. HUH?! I re-applied and asked how I could possibly get less than 20% with sleep apnea (using a cpap), tinnitus, spinal fusion and MDD. I think someone must have goofed the first time.

I was speaking from the standpoint of having been an insurance agent. I assume you have shopped it around. Sorry to hear about the difficulties.

No, I don't have an independent medical opinion yet but I may have to get one if my NARSUM is all messed up. And I am working right now on Active Duty but not for much longer depending on how long the MEB takes.

The definition is what makes me think con leave counts. I was unable to work and under the care of a doctor and therapist for over the 6 weeks that you need to get the 60% rating. What is SC? Service connection? If so, then yes, I do have that for certain.

I have a copy of my mental health C&P exam FINALLY and the diagnoses is as follows; 296.33 Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Severe without psychotic features. Memory Remote Memory: Normal Recent Memory: Mildly Impaired Immediate Memory: Mildly Impaired MMPI-2 was administered - It is noteworthy for extreme elevations on scales 1, 2, and 3. This pattern is often referred to as "conversion V" referring to the tendency of the individual to "convert" psychological disturbances into a preoccupation with physical functioning (huh?), to a degree which exceeds what might be a normal focus in the possible presence of very significant medical issues. In addition to the significant elevation on scale 2 (depression scale), this profile reveals the presence of a sorely depleted reservoir of emotional energy (Man, that sure is true). This scale configuration is associated with a diagnosis of a major depressive disorder. This configuration also indicates the presence of disturbed, ruminative thought processes, as well as vulnerability to excessive use of alcohol. Individuals producing this profile acknowledge that life is a strain, and admit to feelings of depression and despair. They report difficulties with concentration and memory (absolutely) and acknowledge that they worry excessively... Comment on validity of results: Valid. GAF score: 53. Is there total occupational and social impairment due to mental disorder signs and symptoms? No. If there is not total occupational and social impairment, do mental disorder signs and symptoms result in deficiencies in the following areas; Judgment, thinking, family relations, work, mood or school? No. (SERIOUSLY???) Is there reduced reliability and productivity due to mental disorder symptoms? Yes. Examples and pertinent symptoms: The service member is vulnerable to impairments of attention, concentration and short-term memory. He is frequently preoccupied with disturbed, ruminative thought processes. His preoccupation with physical symptoms and concern about his future fuel his depressed mood. Does the patient have panic attacks? Yes. Frequency, severity, duration and effects of functioning; The patient reports periodic panic attacks. More than once per week. Is there presence of suicidal thoughts? Yes. Attention: Attention disturbance (Easily distracted), attention disturbance (Short attention span). Based on the VASRD, I'm not sure if this means a rating of 30% or 50%. Any feedback or questions are welcome. Thanks in advance for your help.

I finally got a copy of my C&P exam and I am trying to interpret the results. I'm hoping to get some help understanding what I'm looking at so any and all feedback is appreciated. The ROM results are as follows; Cervical Spine ROM Flexion: 0 to 30 degrees. Extension: 0 to 39 degrees. Left Lateral Flexion: 0 to 30 degrees. Left Lateral Rotation: 0 to 60 degrees. Right Lateral Flexion: 0 to 30 degrees. Right Lateral Rotation: 0 to 60 degrees. Is there objective evidence of pain on active ROM? No. Additional limitation with repetitive motion; Is there objective evidence of pain following repetitive motion? No. Are there additional limitations after three repetitions of range of motion? No. Thoracolumbar Spine ROM Flexion: 0 to 60 degrees. Extension: 0 to 20 degrees. Left Lateral Flexion: 0 to 20 degrees. Left Lateral Rotation: 0 to 20 degrees. Right Lateral Flexion: 0 to 25 degrees. Right Lateral Rotation: 0 to 20 degrees. Is there objective evidence of pain on active ROM? Yes. Additional limitation with repetitive motion; Is there objective evidence of pain following repetitive motion? Yes. Are there additional limitations after three repetitions of range of motion? Yes. What is the most important factor? Pain. ROM After Repetitive Motion Flexion: 0 to 55 degrees. Extension: 0 to 25 degrees. Left Lateral Flexion: 0 to 15 degrees. Left Lateral Rotation: 0 to 5 degrees. Right Lateral Flexion: 0 to 20 degrees. Right Lateral Rotation: 0 to 5 degrees. Time lost from work during last 12-month period: 8 weeks. Cause: Con leave from back surgery. I didn't type every last word, I just wrote what I think matters. If I missed something or you have a question, please ask. The information regarding my cervical spine seems correct as I haven't had any issues with that part of my back until just recently. I'm getting epidural shots now and may need another surgery but that occurred after the C&P exam. If I'm reading the Thoracolumbar part correct, it seems that I should get a rating of 20% based on the Flexion ROM of 55 degrees or would it be; "Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine......50?" But, since I had spinal fusion of T7-T8, I should get 60% because I missed 8 weeks of work and the VASRD states; "With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months ..... 60" It seems quite confusing to me, I hope someone can clear things up for me...thanks.

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