dolfanbls Posted May 28, 2016 Share Posted May 28, 2016 What type of increase do you think I will get? I am currently rated at 10% for Back, sciatica and depression. I have applied for an increase and unempoyability, C&P Exam.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Mark D Worthen PsyD Posted May 29, 2016 Share Posted May 29, 2016 This descriptor is at the 30% level, from the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (38 C.F.R. § 4.130): [X] Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, although generally functioning satisfactorily, with normal routine behavior, self-care and conversation However, these items, from Section II, Number 3 of the Mental Disorders DBQ, are at generally higher levels: 30% [X] Depressed mood [X] Anxiety [X] Suspiciousness [X] Chronic sleep impairment 50% [X] Disturbances of motivation and mood [X] Difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships 70% [X] Difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or a worklike setting [X] Inability to establish and maintain effective relationships [X] Neglect of personal appearance and hygiene [X] Intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene You can find the signs, descriptions of functional impairment, and symptoms associated with each disability rating level in the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. I attached a Word doc, whcih contains the Rating Formula. Of course, the RVSR (VBA 'rater') determines your disability rating, but as I understand it, if they assign a rating lower than 70%, in your case, then they need to provide a rationale. It partly depends on your medical records, particularly mental health treatment records, but if they are not dramatically different, in terms of the symptoms and associated problems noted, then I would anticipate an increased disability rating for depression. I noticed that she (the C&P psychologist) did not say anything about IU (Individual Unemployability). If the VBA requested information about employability on VA FORM 2507 (the referral form VBA uses to request a C&P from a VA medical center or contractor), then VBA will probably send your exam report back as insufficient and instruct the examiner to answer their question(s) about employability. Her diagnosis for ICD-10 code F32.9 is wrong. She listed Depressive Disorder NOS (Not Otherwise Specified), which is a DSM-IV diagnosis. VA instructed C&P psychologists to use DSM-5 beginning on 1 December 2013. The ICD-10 code F32.9 is for Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, Unspecified. Although the C&P psychologist's report is not a good one, it looks like the end result will be positive for you. Thank you for your service and sacrifice for our country @dolfanbls. All the Best, Mark General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.docx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 dolfanbls Posted May 29, 2016 Author Share Posted May 29, 2016 Thanks for the feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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What type of increase do you think I will get? I am currently rated at 10% for Back, sciatica and depression. I have applied for an increase and unempoyability,
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