jm0365

Fair enough. The claim is in PFD and they never requested a Vocational Specialist. My doctor described everything in detail pretty specifically and thoroughly. One C&P examiner marked “total” for that condition and the other marked that the second condition has worsened. There’s not a lot else that I can do. To be fair to myself the original question had nothing to do with what documents or evidence I needed. I was simply asking if my RO made a difference in how fast or slow my claim will get through PFD.

Thanks for the in-depth response. For my specific claim my doctor wrote a detailed letter stating how my individual symptoms impacted my ability to work and stated at the end "his ability to work in any setting can be profoundly diminished or non-existent as he would require intense interventions..............because of his current medical conditions, he is unable to secure and hold any substantially gainful employment." One my C&P examiners for this claim also marked "Total Social and Occupational Impairment" in the DBQ. So hopefully that puts my claim in the great documentation bucket. But I get your larger point. For what it's worth I called the VSO office again and spoke to someone else who told me that it's been in the National Queue waiting since 3/23/23. So longer than a few days.......

I filed a claim for TDIU 2/14/23. Already have combined rating of 80% (70/30/10). Initially the VSO told me that it wouldn't be too long of a process. Went to PFD 3/22/23. I spoke with my VSO again on Friday and he said to expect a decision in a few days. My last claim took 5-6 months, but the C&P examiner took over 8 weeks to submit the exam. I see stories on here of people in PFD for 3-4 months. Is a lot of this based on the VA Regional Office that is processing the claim or is it based on the claim itself?

Thanks. That helps put me at ease a bit.

Thanks for the clarification and advice.

Thanks for the response. I get that it doesn't matter for rating purposes. My real concern is that somehow this is going to open up a new claim since I didn't file anything with PTSD. Are you saying that it'll still be processed as a the same mental health claim and not a new one for PTSD?

Back story: Filed a claim for PTSD in 2016. The claim was denied, BUT the stressor was conceded. The C&P doctor stated that the symptoms weren't prevalent enough and I was already diagnosed with Bipolar disorder that wasn't service connected at the time. In 2018 I received a 50% rating for Bipolar and 30% for migraines. In 2022 Bipolar rating was increased to 70%. I recently filed a TDIU claim for Bipolar and Migraines, and submitted letters in support from psychiatric doctor, primary care doctor and therapist. At my Mental Health C&P the VA contract doctor updated my diagnosis to PTSD and Bipolar, with overlapping symptoms. She marked "Total Social and Occupational Impairment" and checked most symptoms. She also stated that the PTSD started upon return from combat deployment in 2008, and that it was misdiagnosed earlier. I think that seems like a good exam in support of my claim, but my concern is that the addition of a new diagnosis that I didn't file for, in the middle of my claim, will somehow mess things up. Is this something that I should be worrying about? Also, if I do get a rating for PTSD is there the potential for back pay since it was previously denied, or has that ship sailed? Thanks in advance for any insights.

Ok, but it's an evaluation of subjective experiences. Right? When I got my initial rating I submitted evidence from my primary care doctor and a neurologist. I don't have any of that now, just my reporting that it's not getting better and it's definitely getting worse.

Hello, I currently have a combined 80% rating (70% bipolar, 30% migraines, 10% tinnitus), and also have a higher level review for asthma. I am considering filing for an increase to my migraine rating. When I read the 50% criteria I fit the boxes pretty clear. My question is how is the information verified for the C&P exam? Is it just an interview to ask me my symptoms now, or is there something more rigorous? I seems like a hard thing prove how symptoms have worsened. Any help is great. Thanks! Joshua

I filed a claim for asthma in 2021. I was denied because my diagnosis was more than 10 years after separation. I saw that asthma is now a presumptive illness under the new pact act, and I’m on the burn pit registry. Does this mean that I’m now eligible since this has passed? I can’t find anything addressing this on the VA’s website. thanks

Thanks. I'm talking to the VFW tomorrow and I'll see what they say. Hopefully I can get a copy of the exam while I'm at it.

Thanks for the advice. I read somewhere that raters are supposed to consider you for TDIU if you are at or above the threshold. I was assuming that they would look at it during the claim, and I would file a new claim if it isn't granted. Maybe I'm mistaken about the process.

Not to get in between this argument, but the main takeaway from my experience was that I am very glad that I took time to prepare, made notes about my symptoms, made a list of things I wanted to bring up, and communicated this to the examiner. I think that this was helpful regardless of who the examiner turned out to be.

My current DX is unspecified Bipolar. That’s the original DX the VA gave me in 2016. I applied for an increase after several serious mania and depression episodes, but no hospitalizations. I haven’t worked since before my initial claim in 2016, which was a 50% rating. If I do get a 70% rating I plan on filing for TDIU.

I had a C&P exam this morning for an increase to my bipolar rating. I wanted to share my experience. It was a telehealth appointment. My first appointment was canceled, which was very fortunate because I was not prepared. I spent the time before the new appointment researching what to expect and the best way to approach the exam. I decided to make a page with a detailed list of my symptoms and a separate page with issues that I wanted to discuss. When the exam started I told the doctor that I was worried about forgetting something and that I had made notes as a reminder. She said that was a great idea and let me refer to my notes after every question. When she was done she asked if there was anything in my notes that we hadn’t gone over. Then we talked about that stuff. After the exam she told me that she was updating my diagnosis to Bipolar 1 with psychosis and mixed episodes. She then told me that she didn’t think I was getting the help that I need and asked if she could give me medical advice and information outside of the exam, which I gratefully accepted. Now it’s a waiting game for the rest of the claim process. For anyone with a Bipolar of Mental Health C&P coming my recommendation would be to write down in detail what symptoms you are having and how they affect different areas of your life. The exam can be tough and you shouldn’t trust yourself to remember everything on the spot.