WHOLESALE

IMO's are used commonly when there isn't continuity of treatment, meaning continuity from discharge. An IMO can sway "benefit of the doubt" in the Veteran's favor. Jay

Something is also backwards here, a person may get depression due to headaches, but I do not see how your going to be able to connect headaches due to depression. Sorry my last was confusing. I was actually replying to this comment. Jay

What constitutes continuity? If you put in a claim now by the time it get rated YOU WILL HAVE CONTINUITY. Also, even without continuity an IMO will do. You have a current disability, have in-service treatment, so all you need now is an IMO. I wouldn't get the IMO right away. Wait about 3 months of treatment so it's more probative meaning you have been seeing a physicial that knows more about your current status and history. I don't think it's a long shot by any means if you start now and get an IMO down the road. Jay

Did the examiner explain why you're "ESSENTIALLY UNEMPLOYABLE?" I mean were all your symptoms expained in a way for him/her to come up to that opinion? I'm surprised that the VA's own examiner would say "essentially unemployable." It's either you are or you're not. Sounds like the examiner was afraid to give a definitive answer. I hate it when examiners do this. Statements like this just leave an open door for the VA to mess with you. The VA can easily come back and say, "the examiner stated the Vet is essentially unemployable." This in itself does not indicated 100% unemployable so Total Unemployability cannot be granted at this time. I can just see the VA saying this to deny but keep your head up because they might fool us all and grant you. Jay

I agree on that but some medications for depression do cause headaches. In that case you could get secondary for headaches. I have a side effect (chronic diarrhea) from meds I take and have had a C&P exam. I'm just waiting on the rating now. Jay

MMMM, I would have said, "you're right, IT IS IN MY DAMN HEAD." Where else would depression be???? Some shrinks think they know it all. Jay his PRimary care Dr he tells him its all in his head and when he starts to do things he enjoys he will feel better...?? I think not,

Good luck!

I would still go ahead and file. It's not like their going to decide your claim in the next three months anyway. By then you will have your complaints on file and an IMO connecting your current elbow problems to the soft tissue injury in service. Jay

I'm not a doctor but this report looks bittersweet. Bad for you since you have all these issues but on the other hand looks good for disbility purposes. That is if i'm correct on that assumption your going for social security disability. Jay

Is your elbow S/C now or not? If it is already service connected at 0% then apply for an increase now. By the time they decide your claim or examination you will have several months of history in your medical file. This will substantiate your claim for increase. Jay

Aggravation of your bipolar from your service connected injury might be your best bet. For aggravation you don't have to have onset or occurance in service. You already have a diagnosis of Bipolar so all you have to do is prove to the VA your service connected condition is aggravating your bipolar condition. If you can get your doctor, perferribly a shrink, to opine that your service connected condition is complicating (aggravating) your bipolar condition. He (doctor) would of course give his own rationale for this. I was granted aggravation for bipolar disorder from my primary service connected illness. It's not as good as onset in service but it's better than nothing. Jay

If you don't mind waiting a little go to your local office and check with them. They will know. When I called the 1800 number about my SSDI they told me the same this, Neither can deny or confirm so I went to my local office and they told me I was awarded. They don't like giving answers over the phone for liability reasons but they will in person. Jay

There are some medical conditions that are co-morbid with bipolar disorder such as HIV or any other illness that affects the brain. The onset of bipolar can occur with stress and if your medical condition in service was causing extreme stress this may have triggered your bipolar condition. Stress has been medically determined to trigger onset and progression of bipolar disorder. In saying that, if you have a genetic disposition to Bipolar your chances are real slim for service connection. We really need more information to help you out but we'll do the best we can. The other post below are generally correct that a physical condition like does not cause bipolar disorder but can lead to depression. Jay

Is this a disabling condition. I mean is the stent interfering with your life such as inhibiting normal activities such as work or normal everyday duties. Is your blood pressure back to normal with the stent. What i'm saying is if your condition is resolved without residuals they won't grant you disability. I know the VA doesn't service connect for such issues as high cholesterol but I'm not sure about high blood pressure. Jay

Vets apply for depression all the time when it's secondary to the primary condition. Are you seeing a shrink for depression? If not you should start doing it to get continuity and possible a diagnosis. Your chances will be better with those two. Also, you will need an IMO indicating your physical injury is causing your depression and aggravating it to the point that it has become a disabling condition. It is very common for Vets to attain secondary depression due to a primary service connected condition. I don't know too much about back problems and hip so I can't help there but I would apply for depression for sure. Jay

Just by being qualified for Voc Rehab isn't going to jeapardize your TDUI. If you start college full-time and continue to progress maybe the VA will scrutinize your TDUI but not usually. It's not like your working and making money. I do know that NOT being able to do college due to your disabilities is further evidence of social and occupational impairment. After you're granted TDUI you may try to attend class since TDUI is for those that are unemployable due to their Service connected disabilities not educational avenues. Showing the VA that your are at least trying to do better for yourself shouldn't jeapardize your TDUI but the VA has been known to Fu** veterans instead of be empathetic towards the Vet. Jay

The GAF is just one thing the VA MAY or MAY NOT look at when rating mental disorders. One person with a GAF of 50 might get 50% and another 70%. Depends on the rater and medical evidence as a whole. Frank

In the eyes of a layperson, YES, your documentation would be nexus but the VA probably will require an IMO to connect the dots. Just their way of doing things. Get your doctor you see on a regular basis to write up a short IMO connecting your fall in service to your current injury. Frank

Sounds like from your post the neuropathy and heart disease are making the depression worse. It would have to be the other way around if you were to claim heart disease and neuropathy as secondary to depression. In other words your doctor would have to say heart disease and neuropathy are a result of the depression. I don't think you really have a case as in I never have heard of depression causing heart disease and neuropathy. But maybe the meds he takes for his depression may contribute to the neuropathy. Kind of confused. Jay

Do the examiners review the medical notes before the exam or after? Is there a protocol for this or is it up to the examiners discretion? Jay

I usually get my records myself, review, make a copy, and then turn them in with all the important things highlighted. Is that ok to do it that way? Jay

Thanks for the help. I have the UI form filled out and ready to turn in. I'm turning it in with my SS award and the VA already has my medical records. I'm going to make sure and do what you said about taking my evidence with me to the exam such as SS award and I will take my medical record indicating I was manic when I was terminated last May. I will make sure the examiner see's it all. Should I wait about a week after to request a copy or should I go ahead and do the release that same day?

Hi, i'm new here and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for my upcoming appointment. I am service connected 50% for mood disorder NOS. I filed for increase last November and have my exam later this month. Over the past year I have lost my job, granted SSDI, and have had persistent depression, anxiety, insomnia, mania, and fatigue. All this is in my notes over the past year. I lost my job last year after I had a manic episode and cussed out a customer. This is also in my medical notes. My Psych stated I was in a manic episode which led to my termination. Soon after my termination I applied for SSDI and was awarded in November 08. SSDI is for the same condition, mood disorder NOS. I also have a record in my Voc Rehab to discontinue due to ongoing depression and anxiety. I haven't been able to work or do Voc Rehab since May 2008. With what I just presented do you think I have a chance at getting UI? My DAV rep told me I definetely should get an increase to 70% and then I would probably have to apply for UI. Does this sound right? Thanks, Jay

Still to this day after 9 years the VA still hasn't located my SMR's. I requested them myself and got a letter back saying they are lost. Luckily I was discharged in 2000 so it was very soon afterwords I put a claim in and continuity of treatment is what got me my first award. Jay

What additional benefits would there be for 160% vs. 120%????? Let me know because I have searched and can't find additional benefits. All i'm saying is don't reward yourself by putting yourself through all the stress again. You only live once. Frank