My two cents: Will the VA C&P Doctor connect your secondary contention (depression) to your SC issue(s) - they may and they may not. In a perfect world they would, but all one needs to do is read a few posts by our fellow vets to find that dealing with the VA is far from a perfect world. I learned from reading other vets experiences in dealing with the VA, specifically C&P exams, to leave nothing to chance (hoping VA Doc provides a Nexus or a fair medical opinion/exam). The appeal process is a very long one, sometimes the appeal process can be averted with an IMO/IME prior to that first rating/upgrade. Thanks to the vets who went before me, I was ready with IMO's/IME's . Hadit.com provides very good information on what is required in an IMO and this information should be given to the Dr. you are requesting one from - unless this person is extremely experienced in writing them for the VA. http://www.hadit.com/imo_nexus_letter_by_dr_bash.html
Some wait until they receive the results of the C&P exams (which do not automatically get sent to the vet - they must be requested from vet's Regional Office by the veteran if the exam was done by an outside source (contractors of the VA such as QTC etc) or from the VA Hospital/Clinic if done by the VA) to see if an IMO is needed. The benefit of the doubt rule is very important and should never be forgotten:
Evidence relating to a veteran’s claim is subject to the “benefit of
the doubt” rule, codified at 38 U.S.C. § 5107(b) as follows:
The Secretary shall consider all information and lay and
medical evidence of record in a case before the Secretary with respect
to benefits under laws administered by the Secretary. When there is an
approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding any
issue material to the determination of a matter, the Secretary shall
give the benefit of the doubt to the claimant.
Hoping the best for you ron68 - thanks for your service.