john999

This is why you need an IMO Fund. I tend to agree with Pete53 on the VA's motivation. I have had quite a few C&P exams over the years for various things. All but one were just sort of like what I got on my entrance exam into the Army: fast, incomplete and inaccurate. I like to get a copy of the C&P and then explain to a doctor what I want to do and what things are important for him to rebutt. Doctor's don't obey me word for word, but it is usually obvious that the VA's exam is a joke. Psychiatric exams are a total crap shoot.

Regarding the pain from the TMJ surgery I think you need an IMO from a local dentist. I have TMJ and it used to be very painful. That was why I went to a dentist. For the VA dentist to say that he is "unsure" about your TMJ surgery being the cause of your pain is just a usual dodge the VA doctors use to avoid responsibility.

When you file for a secondary condition you really need medical evidence that spells out how, why, when your primary condition led to the secondary condition. With DMII, for instance, if you have heart problems or PN or any other secondary DMII condition you need a doctor to say that you heart or PN is a direct result of your DMII. My PCP at the VA did this for me for my PN and artery disease. If you could get a non-VA doctor to do the same thing that would work but you want to use a format the VA accepts.

Willie You tell the VA that you are suicidal and they will treat you in a hurry. If you have PTSD, depression, panic or gad this would be a very common feeling. When I was dx'ed with a major mental illness the VA did not even have a dx of PTSD. You can get 100% for any mental illness that has a valid DX. You can't get it for mental retardation or personality disorder. I was discharged from the Army on my return from Vietnam as a personality disorder. The VA reversed this and changed to a compensable mental illness and I got compensation. This is pretty unusual at this time, but I had evidence. Once the VA has got it into their heads you are a PD they will look for any sign that you are a PD and ignore other evidence that you have a real mental illness. You have to fight them with medical evidence.

Ice That almost makes sense since St. Pete is so busy. I was told they get 10,000 pieces of mail a day. I have used St. Pete for 40 years. They have never given me a break I did not have to fight for so maybe you are lucky. John

You can appeal the denial of Chapter 35. I did it.

I got a DX from a local Vet's Center "PTSD: chronic & severe" The VA just ignored that DX and went with a very old DX to grant TDIU. Since the VA has made themselves the sole power to DX PTSD in veterans if I could not get the VA to dx me with PTSD I would get an IMO to DX me with either depression,Panic or GAD. This way you side step the PTSD roadblock. It all boils down to the same thing.

You need a DX from a VA doctor. Keep trying!

Read Cushman vs Shinseki to see how hard a CUE can be to get by the CAVC. Cushman has been waiting 30-40 years for a decent ruling on a series of claims that involve VA misconduct.

A good IMO/IME can turn a claim around and transform a weak claim into a winner. A lot of times the VA will concede service connection but it is the IMO that gets you the highest rating. A good IMO is what can turn a claim that is swinging back and forth on needing the benefit of doubt into no doubt. If I had to depend just on the VA for medical evidence I would be crying.

I was entitled to "S" for over two years and did not know it. When I found out from Hadit member I asked for it and it became a CUE. I got the SMC "S", but I never would have if I had not asked for it and quoted Bradley vs Peake. You are not supposed to have to ask for a SMC but I sure would not trust the VA to do the right thing.

When were you first DX'ed with these problems?

You know depakote is for seizures. It is used off label for bipolar and other conditions. I took it and got lost on local highways. It is usually used for mania in the bipolar realm. Neurontin, topomax and lyrica are all seizure meds that are used off label by the VA. If you are on CPAP it is because you have sleep apnea. If doctor will say that VA meds caused weight gain which caused apnea you have a good claim.

I don't have any idea besides the one Phil gave for them not wanting to give you the results. If they give you results of PTSD c&p I can't see why not for TBI. You have a right to see this stuff since these are your medical records . With a GAF of 43 you are in 100% territory for the PTSD all things being equal.

You can have the results sent to a private doctor and then have that doctor show you. I did this.

If you had dental work done at your expense while waiting for 100% claim to be approved you can be reimbursed for part of that expense. While waiting for my TDIU I had two crowns done and I put in a claim with the VA via Fee Base and I got paid. It took six months and many phone calls but I did get a payment of around 2000 bucks. Not many vets do this but it is possible.

Getting off Klonopin is really hard. I did it by accident being in unable to get the drug where I was at and I did not sleep for days. Plus I was as nervous as a cat. I have kicked other drugs and getting off any benzodiazepines is one of the hardest and most dangerous.

If you have SMC for ED you get about 100$ a month. Something wrong with that picture.

Phil What is the major regulation your lawyer is quoting and what are the precedents. How would I find your case on the CAVC? If you were to win your claim it might help me if I win mine. I am asking for 100% back to 1971. If I get it and they don't consider HB for all those years?????

I think this so-called VA employee's thinking is the kind of thinking that would be used to cut benefits to vets. Next there will be a call for "line of duty" distinction or combat zone distinction. I am not saying our benefits are in danger right now but maybe in the future. I do remember what the VA was like in the 70's when I had C&P exams that lasted 5 minutes where the doctor asked just two questions: Do you hear voices and are you employed"? If you said you were employed it did not matter what else you said. We can't go to sleep and think USA/VA will keep their promises to us.

I got an increase from 30% to 70% via DRO. I then got TDIU via DRO. Both these DRO hearings/reviews took me about a year. Much faster than usual BVA. I think getting your claim approved at the lowest possible level is best. The higher up the food chain you go the longer these things take. I have been almost 7 years on my CUE which I believe could have been granted at the VARO where it happened. Now I sit at the CAVC for the second time. Two BVA decisions both wrong headed. John

As long as it is under "honorable conditions" it is almost the same as an honorable discharge.

I bet the first few days you are on Cymbalta you will find yourself falling asleep at odd times during the day. I like Cymbalta because it helps me stop worrying and relieves my obsessions. I think it helps with depression and that helps with chronic pain. It is not a wonder drug.

If you are talking about "S" housebound I think the fact you have A&A makes that moot. I don't think you can have S and A&A at the same time, but I could be wrong. Someone will correct me if I am wrong.

Paxil is famous for producing ED in men and inability to have orgasm in both men and women. All SSRI uptake inhibitors do this even new drugs like wonder pain drug Cymbalta. Clonazepam will do it to you and all narcotics.