Rockhound

You may not feel it now, but if you are the point that you need the assistance of oxygen for your lung problem, their most certainly will be respirtory hypertension to some degree present and with respirtory hypertension, you will have some degree of heart issues, if not only in their earliest development. A complete cardio workup along with a complete respirtory workup is in order, not only for your benefit, but to get a beginning baseline of possible heart involvement. This is mostly for your benefit, since whether or not you have a claim, your health come first and foremost. The last time I had a heart stress test, because of my HBP and weight issue, I had to have a neuclear test done because I could not be tested on a treadmill. If it hadn't been for this test, which turned out to be a false possitive for an ischemic lower heart reading, I wouldn't have know of the beginnings of respiratory hypertension in my artery to my lungs. I now have a baseline for any problems in the future, to help me keep and eye on things. The only problem with finding this out, is that I had to have a cardiac cath done to get the results. The procedure is not all that complicated, but it does have its own risks, having it done. Your PCP can give you the proper referal, so that they can evaluate you, to see if you are a good candidate for this procedure, but if they say it is marginal, I would consider very long and hard before doing any procedure, that at this time may not bring you more than very limited information, of course I doubt the VA would do this procedure unless they suspect your need is more than marginal. In the mean time, keep your eye on your blood pressure and your pulse rate, whether or not you get fatigued more than usual or you find yourself gasping for breath and your BP and pulse run out of control. Then it is time to consider another heart stress test or at the very least, a heart to heart talk with you PCP on whether it is time for futher testing of the sort I mentioned above. Rockhound Rider B)

As some of you have read, I have been suffering through a bit of trouble with Kidney Stones. It was such a problem, that they inserted a STENT from my Kidney to my Blader, so that the stones could pass without the severe pain I suffered in the beginning. Well, the STENT was removed today without to much fan fair and pain and I am hoping that things get back to normal now. The second item that has been in the forefront of my mind and concern, has been what has been happening with my current claim. Although it is not a very complicated claim dealing with secondary issues as a result of a SC issue, it none the least became necessary for the Tiger Team to assist my local VARO with their over flow of to many claims that was slowing down the amount of time claims took to be completed. One of the secondary issues was for painful scars (two PS's to be exact). I had only my statement as to the fact that these scars met the requirement of scars that would become iritated and ulcerated at times during the year. As it has happened all to often, the scars are once again inflaimed and on the verge of ulcerating. As part of my claim, I sent unretouched photo's showing the scars that I was making the claim for, as proof the scars exsisted, now I am able to show the scars in their second stage, showing them inflamed. I managed to schedule an appointment with my PCP on short notice, so that she can document this process and do a comparison of current photo's, so that I will have other evidence than my own statement, to varify and support the requiremnet of the rating schedule for painful scars. I am hoping by the time of my appointment, at least one if not both of these scars will show, even a small indication of ulceration of the scar tissue. However it sounds, I am no massichist, enjoying the pain that this causes me, but as they say, proof is in the pudding, sort of speak. Having this appointment may also give me an opportunity to get my PCP to say something in support of my second part of my secondary issues and that is for Chronic Sinusitis and Rhyinitis in what ever form, so long as it is caused by the primary SC condition. Getting this into my records before my already schedule C&P exam, hopefully, will give the examiner less wiggle room to refute the evidence as it is. I would like to try and get another IMO from an ENT specialist, but it will have to be a different one from before, since I suppect the VA may have had a talk with him, since he used to be a VA Dr. in the not so distant past. It's only speculation, but his relunctance, no! statement ,that he could not help me any further, leads me in this direction. I shouldn't, however, have any problem getting a referal from my PCP, since she has been helpfull in this regards already. Good news begats better news and I am hoping this will bring even better news and results. Rockhound Rider :D B) :D

Testvet: The VA, knowing the severity of your heart condition, are playing the delay game, hoping you will die before they make a decision on your claim. This means if your death is the result of your heart condition, then they no longer have to deal with you. Their hoping your wife either doesn't know enough to carry on your claim and seek DIC or that they can delay her claim long enough that she either gives up or dies too. I don't know enough of when or when can't a Lawyer get involved, but this seems like a good time to consider one, even if it means giving up a portion of your back pay, just so long as it takes some of the stress off you and your wifes shoulders. JMHO Rockhound Rider ;) p.s. I hope you are keeping tabs on your blood pressure and pulse rate daily, if not more often.

In 1974 the DSM II was used when making a diagnosis. Today it is the DSM IV. the diagnostic coded number remained the same, but the diagnosis specified did. DC 9205 in 1974 was for "Acute Schizophrenic Episode, that same DC 9205 today is "Schizophrenia, Residual type, other and unspecified types." How do you or what should you do and/or show to reconsile these two differently named psychiatric disorders, that retain the same DC number? Rockhound Rider ;)

Maybe James, James Bond can help. The VA may be a over selous fan and thinks that your Senator works for SPECTER and not that his name is Specter. LOL LOL LOL Sorry, but I find with out some humor, dealing with the VARO can be as difficult as trying to decifer some coded message. As we all know, it's deny and delay as long as possible, hoping we will go away or die. Rockhound Rider ;)

Testvet, you had me second guessing what I had said. I did not say I was "kidding" I said the thoughts were only transient thoughts, which are like saying I have transiet thoughts of suicide, but their is no plan to carry it out. I am only stating what my fears are and what they have been for the last 35 yrs. That it has been only in the last five were my paranoia has gotten worse and I have tried on many occasion to make this clear to my Psychiatrist. These are scary thoughts and that is why I am on Quitiapine for these Schizofrenic in form thoughts. I am sure the VA is watching me closely each and every time I make an appearance at my VA hospital and/or VARO. Of course I try and stay as far away from the VARO, having only gone to the same building to see the VSO officed their once in those five years, since that time I do all my business with the VSO rep at the VA hospital, just to be on the safe side. I might add for your information and for anyone reading this, NO I DO NOT OWN ANY FIREARMS or weapons of mass destruction. Although I was trained in marksmanship by one of the Marines elite shooting team members, my Father. I would have held the shooting record for my time in Basic Training, had it not been that I did my time in a special company and we did not compete as other training company's did. I loved not only target shooting as I grew up, but I also enjoyed hunting anything that was in season and was liking to my taste buds, but since my episode in the service, I have not nor do I want to ever handle a firearm. It wasn't by an act of the Navy that I was a Hospital Corpsman, I don't believe in the taking of a life, whatever the circumstances. Besides, it costs more for a criminal on death row than it does to keep them locked up for life. Of course some would argue that they are taking up much needed jail space for other criminals, because of our overly crouded prisons. Even if the VA or someone misinterprets what I say, I learned the hard way, that what ever the case may be, I won't as a rule hold anything against anyone, even if it land me on a psych ward, if only for mine or anyone elses safety. A reality check is always a good thing for someone with my psychiatric profile. At least it is one fact of life for me, it is always a good sign when I can admit and write about things like this. It is the time I don't, that has me petrified at times. Anyone who has delt with psych issues can tell you, as long as you are talking about it to someone, your more likely not to do anything wrong, it's when you keep it all bottled up inside until the cork blows off, that all the bad things happen. Thank you anyway for your concern, as long as I have people like you who are concerned enough to act and point out their concern, I will have that and other things to help in holding onto what little sanity I have left. Rockhound Rider ;) p.s. the heart above is for your act of concern and well ment warning.

It's just as I thought, since my claim has been transfered to the Tiger Team, the C&P exam they are requesting is not only to rate my secondary issues, but to determine my existing disability the secondary issues are based on. Since the C&P is being done at the same location as before, I suspect that the same Nurse Practitioner will be giving the examination. It was because of her enept exam and her results that prompted me in getting a second opinion with IMO. If I am examined by this same person, I am worried as before, I will have to seek another IMO to rebut her opinion by a specialist in the field. This means more time delay and money out of my pocket because the VA won't except any evidence that we as Veterans present to them as proof of our disabilities from other than their own examiners and even then they have been know to ignore those as well. As far as I am concerned but hard to prove, their just shopping for an evaluation they can use to deny our claims. If this happens, I can be assured of a stay at my local VA hospitals psych ward for sure, I only hope it is not for a psychotic brake. If that happens I worry about not only my own safety, but that of others as well and those employed by the VA claims system, since it appears that is who my paronoia is directed towards at this point in time. Don't get me wrong, these are but transcient thoughts and have no plan whatsoever to hurt myself or others, it's just to point out what I have had to deal with for these past years since being medically ousted from the service. It's just in the past five of six years, it has gotten worse to deal with on a day to day basis. Time for a chill pill, if I don't get any rest from this soon, I fear no amount of medication is going to do me any good. I'm not their yet, but the VA sure knows how to push my buttons. Rockhound Rider ;)

LarryJ: At least with this one (309.3) If you decide the punch out the lights of a C&P examiner who you think is messing with you, you might have a viable "not in your right mind defense" LoL ;) LoL LoL I'm only funning people, you don't want to do anything like what I stated. You could end up where your better half has to see you through a two inch glass window and talk to you using a telephone receiver, nor do you want the guys in white coats to come fit you with their funny jacket, that has sleeves to long and it buckles up the back, if you know what I mean. Rockhound Ride

If what you are saying, that one Psychiatric disorder will be chosen that is the more serious of say three seperate Axis one psychiatric disorders, then they lump the lesser of the three, then how do you rate the following Adjustment disorder with anxiety and mood disorder Major Depression, chronic Chronic Dysthemia On top of all this, another Axis one diagnosis of Personality Change due to a Medical Condition. By the way, the Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety and Mood Disorder was Rated at the time for pension purposes, 50% and now I have evidence to support my claim that it should have been SC, so if I do SC it, they are going to have to try real hard to lower that percentage. The Major Depression as far as I can tell meets the 50% evaluation as well. I have no idea how they would rate the chronic dysthemia, since it is also a depressive type disorder. Oh yea! don't let me forget, that if I am SC for the Personality change due to a medical condition, then it will rebut a prior diagnosis of a personality disorder, inadequate type which was the VA's basis for denying an in-service Acute Schizophrenic Episode which has been revised to date by the DSM IV as Schizophrenia, Residual type, and other unspecified types With all this going on in this claim, I doubt they decide it within a years time. I predict they will drag this one out two maybe even three years and I still think I am being conservative in this time frame and I don't have to prove to them that I am schizophrenic, only that for the past 35 plus years, I have had the ongoing residual effects that were noted back then and that they still remain the same symptomology as today. Pyramiding or not aside, I'm assured of at least one thing, I can finally unsaddle myself with the VA's wrongfull diagnosis of a Personality Disorder, Inadequate type, and hopefully for good. I won't even mind currently being diagnosed with a personality change due to a medical problem such as a Post Traumatic Organic Personality disorder. Man I got to get some sleep tonight, so I can get out of this blithering nonsense mood. Rockhound Rider ;)

carlie: I guess you can't believe everything posted on the Internet, even if it appears to be from a reliable source. My source came from BehaveNeet Clinical Capsule "DSM IV Adjustment Disorder The specific(s) can be specified on Axis IV 309.0 With Depressed Mood 309.24 With Anxiety 309.28 With Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood 309.3 With Disturbance of Conduct Maybe this is why I get so easily confused, no one can use a common DC for anything. Rockhound Rider ;)

When I am not working on my current claim, always trying to find additional supporting evidence, I am working, not only on my next claim, but I am always thinking and working on my CUE claim whcih dates back to 1974. Boy does it ever get confusing, especially with the meds I am on. The Cue claim has to reference the evidence, laws, regulations, and such extent at the time (1974) My current claim references (DC) that may have changed since the previous claims denial. This is were it gets a bit confusing. Either the VA Rater miss labled the (DC) or they changed since then, but it has only been about 5 yrs. between these claims and what I am seeing sure has me going over the Disability Schedule over and over. Apparently the VA is using a different coding than the DSM IV (DC) numbers and some DSM (DC) either don't have corresponding VA (DC) or the reference material I am using is outdated or incomplete. I already noticed that the DSM II (DC) has changed, when using the DSM IV, which is understandable, but the VA (DC) don't necessarily correspond or cross over in the DSM IV in all cases. I think even the VA Rater is having trouble differentiating between the two. For instance, I was given a diagnosis of an Adjustment Disorder the Depression and Anxiety, NSC with a VA (DC) of 9434, yet it corresponds with the DSM IV with Major Depression Disorder, where as the Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood and Anxiety in the DSM IV gives the (DC) as 309.28 It's driving me nuttier than I am already and it's happening already in my current claim, where the VA has my painful scars being rated under VA (DC) 6504, when it should be under 7804 for unstable or painful scars. If anyone can make sence of this, all the power to you, it's got me chasing my tail, sort of speak. Rockhound Rider ;)

I don't know if others like myself have this problem or not. I was a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy and for a very brief time an EMT II after service, but it was quickly apparent that my psych problems made handling stress to difficult to continue working with people under life and death situations. However, it did not keep people refering to me with the slang title of "DOC". I know it is the way our fellow service men and women honor our contribution to their medical needs and it is easier to remember "Doc" than our names, but I am no longer in that line of work and have not stayed in the field of medicine or Emergency care, yet people still look to me, even in my wheel chair, knowing who and what I did in the service, when someone is injured or sick and in need of immediate assistance. I no longer have the skill set nor psychy to deal with these kinds of situations. It's hard enough for me to deal with my own inadequacies in this area, but to tell people I no longer can help makes me feel worse than those standing around not knowing what to do, other than call 911. I don't want to come across as if I don't care or don't want to help or get involved, but I just can't is all. It's not that I don't like being refered to as "DOC" I was proud and felt appreciated by those under my care, especially during my time at sea, when it was me they looked to when they were in need. I even wear a Vest that displays a medic cadusa on it and plan to have a banner added to the back reading Hospital Corpsman to go along with the Navy banner on it now. I want people to know I am a Vet each and every time I go out in public, if anything it keeps the public knowing that not every serviceman, having been in combat or not, come away from the service all healthy and wise. Man I got to find some medication I can take, another couple of days and nights like this, ragging all the time isn't doing my health any good. My blood pressure, which was dangerously down, is now dangerously up, my anxiety is way up, my mood is in the celler, my pain, well, I'm just glad my OxyC repfill came today Well my stomach is telling me it's past my dinner time so I better do something about it or I won't be able to keep my energy up to help me get through this unusual bad time. Rockhound Rider ;)

Have you ever seen those carnival games in which you hold onto a couple of metal handles as long as you can, while the voltage is raised higher and higher, until you have to let go. it's not like that at all, it's worse, the voltage is usually high to begin with, so they can measure how long the nerve signal takes to travel a specified distance and you are in no position to let go of any handles because the examiner has control of everything. Don't worry, their not sadist, the pain from the shock doesn't last to long, LoL At least now I can be assured the weakness in my left hand and arm are not from a stroke, but rather from disk impengment of nerve clusters and bony spurs. Good luck and post how you found the experience, I need a good humor day. ;) Rockhound Rider

p.s. Replying on my own statement, my C&P exam is at 09:30 in the morning, which means I will probably be a bit groggy and not of a frame of mind to demonstrate to the examiner my true condition, so I have no choice but to go off my meds for a day or maybe even two, just so my worst case can be evaluated. the C&P is for physical/medical reasons, so if I end up being helped by some guys in white coats, I'm not really caring at this point. I'll kill two birds with one stone, sort of speak. I'm just glad I am single and don't have to worry that someone is fretting about my well being like some. A 72 hr. self admit might be good for me about this time and another evaluation may just be in order. Rockhound Rider ;) ;) :P

I'm glad to that I found a psych evaluation on my last impatient stay at my local VA, otherwise I would have gone through life thinking everyone was out to get me. Now I know it was just my problem with paranoia, so now I don't think everyone is out to get me, just the VA claims people. I wonder everytime something like this happens if I am really paranoid, if the people who I think are after me, really are. I've been tracking my current claim all along and I still don't know what is going on, it's here it's their, it's up for decision, no it's not, now it's been sent back to the Rater, no it's not, it's at the Tiger Team now? I have a C&P exam next month on my birthday of all days. Thanks alot VA for letting me injoy the one day I thought I could call my own. I had hoped to spend the day pampering myself and taking in dinner and a movie and staying at a hotel that has steam in their showers and large jacuzzi like bath tubs. Now if I want the whole day and night I will have to do it on another day, since I don't want to reschedule my C&P so they can waste more time while my claim waits on the C&P report. Glad you got things fixed relatively soon, just think where you would have been if you hadn't. Like you said, another two years, which I think was a conservatine number, given how slow it is to get a DRO for reconsideration these days. Even if it could be shown it was the VA's fault. Rockhound Rider ;)

I know it is my paranoia that is getting the better of me, but I don't trust anything coming from anyone on the payroll of the VA, least of which is either the person on the end of the 1-800 number or from an IRIS inquirey. I called IRIS and they said my claim was at the rater, talked to my VSO who called someone and they told me my claim was slated for a decision in June and then I called the 1-800 number and they told me my claim was returned to the rater, but could not say where it had been or if a decision would be made soon, but she said, without saying who that a letter was forth coming. Digging to find out from whom, they said it didn't say. It turned out to be from the Tiger Team in Cleveland Ohio, saying they have taken over my claim and just yesterday I got a letter for a C&P examination on a date non other than on my birthday, some present. This was after I was told by a person at the VARO here that a new C&P exam would not be necessary since I had just had one for the main cause of the secondary issues I was applying for now. I think they try to guess what you want to hear and then say just to be patient things are moving along when nothing constructive is really getting done except to screw up your claim and delay it as long as they possibly can, hoping you will die and blow away. Not in a good mood today, what little sleep I did manage to sqeek out last night wasn't nearly enough to help brighten my disposition today. It was already 80% by 11:00 a.m. and I suppect it will climb to above 90% and my swamp cooler is non functional since the frostless spicket that feeds it, ruptured this past winter and I don't have the money until the middle of June to get the parts to replace it. So I now can only blow the hot dry air around with a fan untl then and sleeping in this heat is out of the question, even if it is a dry heat. Sorry guys, I need this claim approved and sooner than later is all. Living hand to mouth and borrowing from Peter to Pay Paul is no way to live, I would probably be better off homeless, but only if the weather was a constant warm temperature. Maybe a cold shower will help me from heat stroke. I know it's just the meds that make the heat so umbarable, but without the meds, lets not go their. Rockhound Rider pant pant pant ;) LoL

If your drawing SSDI as well, I am surpprised you haven't seen it already, I have. I was direct deposited the day after my normal SSDI award was deposited. It's kind of funny, your about the third person who has told me that their stimulus check did or would arrive on a different schedule. I guess they didn't want to over burden the banks computors or the mail carriers load. Rockhound Rider ;)

I do believe it is posted somewhere, but I like that you mentioned it in this forum, if anything to just remind us that these exam worksheets are available. The one I made not of in my case was for mental disorders except PTSD and eating disorders. It list several types of health care providers that can perform the initial examination for mental disorder and perform review examinations for mental disorders. It doesn't say that the person has to be an Examiner for the C&P Dept., which gives me thought to consider, if these health care providers can do these exams, then why won't, or is it, can't, do them? If you provide them with the needed documents listed in the exam worksheet, then they have all they need to not only evaluate the original diagnosis, but the current one and the nexus between the two. My belief in this is, that the VA health care providers are so busy pushing Veterans through a revolving door of quicky appointments, they have little to no time to really consider the whole picture of the Veteran's problems. I get 20 to 30 minutes with my Psychiatrist, which barely gives her enough time to go through the standardized questionaire she does each and every time I have my normal visit. Their just no time left for them to really sit with you and discuss your case, nor to determine what, if any other type of treatment might be better, or a review of you history before service, during service, and after service. So we are left with a 30 to 60 minute evaluation from a C&P examiner, who probaby hasn't had time time or inclination to review your complete file, disregarding the fact that it may be a Nurse Practitioner who is doing the exam where a Dr in the field with the training and experience to pick up on certain things a Nurse Practitioner may never have been exposed to or even had the specialized training and experience to pick up on. These exam worksheet are a great tool, but it is hard to go into a C&P exam with the frame of mind that they should be evaluating us not only during good days, but during our worst days as well, because you really want them to evaluate you at your worst and not your best. As I said in another post, I'm in one of those ragging moods and can't help but vent. I have another C&P exam coming up, when they said I wouldn't have to have one, so now I have to weigh whether or not I must put of my worst day appearance or just hope for the best and understanding of the C&P examiner to no what I am expressing is what my days are like more times than not. Anyway, these exam worksheet have at least given me time to pause and wonder, how can I demonstrate that if I'm having a good day, that it is only transiant and that things are usually much worse for me each and every day, dispite how I might appear that day. Rockhound Rider ;)

I got home today from a trip into town to discuss my claim with my AMVET rep and add one more item of evidence that showed I had no problems with chronic sinisitis before my injury in service to my nasal bone. It also goes to show that no PD was identified in the information. What was the information you ask. It was the re-enlistment physical I had just prior to my psychotic epsode and subsequant nasal bone injury. I was given a clean bill of health with normal sinisuses and mind you, no psychiatric or PD noted. I was approved for re-enlistment for a six year hitch under a special training STAR program of my choosing, with a guarenteed advancement to next grade should I complete and pass the training I chose. Any way, back to coming home. In my mail box was a letter from the VAHA scheduling me, you guessed it, another C&P examination. I just knew it, their telling me a C&P exam would not be necessary since I had already had one for the primary cause for these secondary issues. Here's the rub to the whole thing, they schedule the exam on my Birthday. Maybe I ault to ask the examiner to give me a good review as a birthday present. LoL LoL LoL ;) Now I have to get busy and resorect my claim file on this issue, so I can make sure the C&P examiner has everything that he should. Not that I would do it, but I should put on an old pair of glasses I have and strike the outer edge so it will bruise the scar tissue on my nose, just so the C&P examiner can see what I have to go through when the bruised tissue ulcerates and the pain and discomfort I deal with about three or four times a year, all because the broken bones in my nose left ruff edges that rub raw because of the bridge feet of my claissed ride on them constantly and all it takes is a slight jar, like most of us with glasses know so well, it hurts like hell, even with nothing wrong with the nose. Add my problems and it makes it ten times as bad. This does however mean I will have to go off my corticosteroid nasal spran and my meds for allergies, which doesn't do much, if anything, anyways. Just so the examiner can see me at my worst. I just knew that something like this would come up, since they forwarded my claim to the Tiger Team. If I have to wait another eight months for a decision, I'm going to have to get an increase on all my psych meds for sure. I know, I'm Venting again, but I can't help it, my anxiety has gone up, my mood is down and my paranoia is starting to peak its ugly head up along with my panic trigger level. I dought I will get very much sleep tonight, it takes vary little to do me in, I just hope I don't end up in the loony ben for another self admit, so I don't end up hurting myself or the Great Spirit help me don't hurt someone else, namely someone at the VARO where all my anger and paranoia is centered at. Yes! I have taken my meds, but it will take a bit of time for them to really kick in and hopefully its la la land and not me pacing the floor unable to sleep, which is usually what happens. I've ragged enough. It's just that nothing that comes out of the VA can be believed, until you see it in writing and even then you have to question their sanity when they do. Rockhound Rider :P ;) B)

I read the discription of both the Acute Schizophrenic Episode and PD inadequate type and could find no justification in my existing medical files at that time to warrent the PD diagnosis, yet the discription for Acute Schizophrenic episode was right on the money, including the catatonia that followed the episode. This being able to quote the DSM II gives me more faith in my CUE claim and more supporting evidence to show, by evidence at the time,did not warrent the PD diagnosis, were as it did the acute schizophrenic episode. It also justifies my belief that the moderate impairment to social and industrial adaptability was never included as a residual of the psychotic episode, as well as the mood and anxiety disorders that were a part of the whole diagnostic picture. Now that I have evidence to rebut the PD diagnosis with the post traumatice organic personality disorder or personality change due to a medical condition, it will leave open once again the determination of the Acute Schizophrenia Episode, revised to date as being Schizophrenia, Residual Type, Undifferintiated Type. Rockhound Rider ;)

I haven't used the information as of yet, but I asked my treating psychiatrist to make a note in my progress notes that delt with her opinion as to whether or not I had a personality disorder. To help support her opinion, I provided her with my Navy physical evaluation summery report of my psychotic episode, along with the C&P examination summery report that opinioned that I had a personality disorder and anthing else that was a part of my C-File and some that wasn't. She then documented this information and her examination of me and opinioned that I didn't meet any known personality, based on the standards of the DSM IV. My belief is that you should provide any and all information that is not available on what you are claiming in the hospitals computors or IMO's files, so the VA can not come back and say they didn't have access to your full medical records, without it, they can ignore the opinion as having little or no weight in their decision. You should list all the information provided the Dr. so the VA can not say it wasn't before the Dr. when they gave their opinion. I can't say it enough times. This will also give weight to any nexus statement they may provide as well. The more you provide, the less it is likely the VA can ignore the opinion. Rockhound Rider :D

I'm so full of questions, it is hard for me to see the trees because of the forest, if you get my meaning. This future claim has a connection with the one being decided now. The issues all had their beginning with the fractured nasal bone for which I resently was awarded 10% for. The claim currently in the process is secondary issues directly related to the fractured nasal bone, the new issues are a direct result of the injury in that it resulted in a cerebral concussion which was originally denied as having no residual problems. I have now found out through further testing and evaluations that the cerebral concussion in fact caused a TBI resulting in cognitive dysfunction and a personality change due to a medical condition or as diagnosed as a post traumatic organic personality disorder. I want to wait on submitting this future claim but now that the other claim has been turned over to this Tiger Team, maybe I should go ahead and submit it. I was holding off on it becuase I didn't want the issues to get confused, with to many problems that have their inseption from the fractured nasal bone. I would rather it be associated with a post traumatic brain injury. I hope this isn't confusing you more than it does me, as you can well guess, my thinking and deductions in reasoning are a bit foggy at best, having to deal this congnitive dysfunction issues. Rockhound Rider :D B)

I just received in the mail a notice or more to the point another VCAA letter, only this time it was sent from the TIGER TEAM. It appears my claim has been forwarded to them to supposedly expedite my claim. I've left a message with my VSO, but being that Monday was a holiday, I think they will probably take the whole week off or at least close their satilite office at the VA Hospital till next week. I am wondering what I need to do so I am prepared for when my VSO gets back to me, I have only 30 days to return any new evidence and if needed, another letter in support of my claim, plus a listing of all my evidence and probably copies of everything I have already sent the VARO. I do have some evidence that may be of value, that I have yet to send in, however it has more value with the claim I hope to present once this one is decided. If I send it now, it would not be considered as new and material evidence in support of this future claim. It is not the only evidence I have in this future claim so I am not so much worried about being able to use it specifically as evidence to reopen a past decided claim. I just need to know what to expect and/or what I should do. Rockhound Rider :D B)

Hoppy: I am overjoyed that your research was fruitfull in that you found a copy of the DSMII. I on the other hand have been unable to find a copy of the DSM I or even a DSM II. I am trying to find any information that relates to the type of PD I was saddled with in 1974 as I believe you know well my problem. Currently I am dealing with a transportation issue, because of the current cut backs in funding for my ride due to the present economical shortfall our state, county and city is experiencing. I may end up having to find a used copy to buy if my search at UNR medical library doesn't yield anything. If you happen to have come across a DSM I and a DSM II that is for sale, could you or anyone else let me know? A personal message would be fine. My current train of thought is that a PD is a developmental problem and their for the diagnosis should have been based on a persons personal and personnel records, and since they were not consulted or even provided in the C&P examiners opinion, then their could not have been a proper diagnosis in the first place, also the use of the broad statement "on the basis of the history" does not give anyone a clear idea what in the history was so compelling that the rater and the examiner were able to agree that the PD diagnosis was not only the right one, but a correction of the prior psychiatric diagnosis. Sorry, I'm just ragging a bit. Everytime I hear or read about a PD being given to a Veteran it sets of bells in my head and I think of all the time that has gone by, having been labled with a PD diagnosis as well. Rockhound Rider :D B)

Hoppy: Keep us posted on what you find out and how things ended up. You know that I have had similiar problems with the VARO not providing me with a C&P exam in regards to my Schizophrenia claim and the personality disorder they used, they said to correct it. I am sure that the reason that they do not want to give a current C&P exam, is that they would then have to use the current DSM IV criteria to diagnose his current and previous symptoms. Seeing that a psychiatrist has compaired his symptoms from his records and that he meets the criteria for a panic disorder just go to show that the VARO will do just about anything to keep a Veteran from receiving what is due him and this is a great example of it. It's going to be interesting when I present my newest claim, because it will rebutt the personality disorder, showing instead that I had a post traumatice organic personality disorder, which should have been rated under Personality change, due to a medical condition. Rebutting the personality disorder leaves the question, how do they, the VA, plan to rate my schizophrenia I had in-service, that crops it's ugly head up, every now and again. Rockhound Rider :)