Roy

First, I would like to thank you guys for the help. No, the doctor is not a phsychatic but rather a regular VA family Doc. My problem started over a year ago and I you’re right I don’t know if that is long enough for a claim. Although, I am experiencing other problems I listed the skin condition because it is a big one. Again thanks

I am trying to determine if I have a claim for depression. Last year due my back and knees (80%) worsening I applied for IU still waiting to hear but I have been approved for SSD. Over a month ago I had appointment with a VA Doctor Due to a serve skin condition. The doctor thought at the time it was an allergic reaction to something after a month of medications and changing my food habits and detergents nothing changed. Two week ago, I had my follow up with the VA Doc and know she believes it could be anxiety/ depression and she put me on Fluoxetine which seem to be helping. All my life I have been working and I have seen many 6/12 though out the last 20 years and I will I admit that it has been very hard for me not to be able to work. My question is although I am 80% for my back, knees and foot all service connected can I applied for depression and if so what type of evidences due I need in order to win my claim? And help would be grateful

Yes, they do have all my medical evidence and even the CP examier mentioned my primary physician in her report, but I am surprised how she missed quote me in her exam. I really thought that they (VA) recorded the exams . Roy

Hi Kimo, First, I am sorry to hear about your back trouble. I would like to give you my opinion. I have degenerative disc disease due to fracturing my lower back. At first, the VA rated me only 10% for my back and they called it a back strain this was based off of only X-rays. Approximately one year later, I went to an outside specialist and had a MRI conducted which indicated I had actuality fractured my L-5. From my understanding sometimes X-rays will not show a complete picture. Also see if you can have an EMG conducted this type of ( although painful) test is helpful in showing any signs of nerve damage. Remember the VA is looking for a certain type of language, Serve, Moderate, Mild, your doctor needs to specific. Finally, look at the VA matrix for back symptoms that should give you some Idea. Best of luck Roy

I real think you need to contact a VFW or DAV representative to help you. You must remember when ever there is a change in your husband condition the VA will most likely lower It. Until he becomes total and permanently disable or he have been rated for the same condition for a long time than he won’t have to deal with CP exams; however, this subject I am not really familiar with and hopefully someone else on this forum can explain this better than I can . In addition, I would get a second opinion for your husband’s knees and back condition either a VA doctor or an outsider ortho physician. Finally, hang in there the VA is a pain the in the A??. Roy

I just went though my exam in June for my back. When the doctor checks your range of motion you need to specific about your pain of motion. In my experience, if you do not say that there is any discomfort or pain the doctor will not ask and will assume everything is Ok. If you can go to your primary care physician or back specialist and see if they are willing to write a statement on your behalf showing any incapacitating episodes you have been experiencing over the past year that would be great. Any other tests such as: EMG evidences showing neurologic symptoms would be very important also if you have bladder or bowel problems get that document. Now that I have say all that check out my post from the 12th of Aug tilted Confused that will tell you where I stand. Good luck Roy

Yes, that maybe so; however, I believe the report will be put into the computer which should allow for him to obtain the report at his local VA hosiptal records and information center. Although, I could be wrong. Good luck Roy

Yes, I just went through this. All I can say is unless you have Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine which they will grant you 100%, you need to make sure that you advise them of any incapacitating episodes you are experiencing. The max is (incapacitating having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months.) You must be clear to the doctor about the pain, swelling and spasm that you are experiencing. If your family doctor can write a letter stating your incapacitating episodes that would help. Any EMG test which shows nerve damage would be great and show it to the CP examiner. I am tell you this because the examiner will not remember everything. I thought that they recorded the exam, but after looking at my CP report, I don't believe they do. Finally, you must tell them during the exam when you are told to move from side to side and front to back if it hurts. The doctor never asked me if I had pain and they will assume you’re OK. Good Luck Roy

No, that is not correct. I had my CP exam on the 17th of June. I went down to the VA Hosiptal and had them make me a copy of the report right there. It took approximately 25mins. Roy

Hi, I am new to forum. I am currently rated 80% for my back, knees and foot all service connected. Last year my condition worsen and currently I am not working so I applied for IU and Social Security . My Social Security was approved and I had a CP exam back on the 17 of June for my back and Knees. I am currently waiting to hear back from the VA. However, I have a copy of the CP exam and the Doc failed to put some important information in her report. First, I had EMG conducted by a VA Doc last year which indicated that I had severe peripheral neuropathy and in exact words he wrote in the report " he was greatly concerned" . However, what he did not say in the report which have me somewhat confused, is that he informed me while I was sitting on the table listening to him. When you have motor sensory problems the EMG can produce a " false negative" and he continued to say that there was something going on I just don't know what. In my CP report there was not mention of this report by the doctor and I had specifically pointed this out to her. Secondly, I had fracture my back while in Marines and noticed in the report she marked my fracture as not service connected but a lumbar strain, which is funny to me because I thought all of this time I had been service connected for fracture back. Thirdly, she put down my bladder conditions as wearing of absorbent material that must be changed less than 2 times per day. However, I told her I have to change several times a day. I informed her of the stiffen in my back and radiating pain running down both legs with numbness and tingling in my feet. In her report she checked no in the boxes. Finally, at the end of the report in her opinion: Although his conditions may get progressively worse, at this point, veteran would be suitable for sedentary position, that allowed him to get up, stand and walk around a couple minutes. His physical conditions would preclude any job entailing prolonged standing or walking, and lifting or carrying. My family physical wrote me a letter stated that my back and knee conditions were severe and I have two orthopedic specialist that agreed. My family physician also stated, that I required at least 6 weeks of bed rest in the past 12 months. This letter was turned in as part of my claim. What I am trying to figure out is how will the VA rate me and will they take what the CP examiner said over my private physicians. I find it hard to believe that Social Security granted me disability for my knees and back conditions and VA will not, but I believe based on this report it will happen. Any thoughts on what I should do?

testing, testing

Sorry, if you have already recieved my response for some reason my replies are not going though. I am in a similiar situation. I am currently 80% for my back,knees and foot. I was approved for Social Security disability in July. I have applied for TDIU with the VA and had my rating exam on June 17, now just waiting to hear back from the VA. I was granted Social security benefits for just my back and knees. However, I believe that the VA has different standards when it comes to veterans applying for TdIU. If some one out there could explain how the VA would deny me TDIU while social security approved me for the same injuries I would greatly appreciate it. I am still waiting to hear about my claim.

Hi, I am in a similiar situation I am currently 80% for my back, knees and foot. I am currently recieving Social Security disability for my knees and back. Social security was easy for me I never used a lawyer to get it. I have applied for unemployeability with the VA and I sent them my award letter. On the 17 of June, I had my rating exam and currently still waiting to hear back from the VA. However, it appears this is going to be hard to get, the VA appeartly have much tougher standards then Social Security. What is hard for me to understand is that how can the VA deny me for the same disabilities as Social Security. In fact my foot was not even a part of my SSD only my back and knees. If any one else knows how this works please response. Thank you

Hi, I am in a similiar situation. I am currently rate 80% for my back, Knees and foot. What is hard for me to understand is that Social Security granted me disability for my knees and back condition and I did not need a lawyer for it. On june 17 , I had a rating exam again for unemployability and I am currently waiting to hear my outcome. The way I feel is that the VA is much harder on granting full disability than Social Security. I have been fighting the VA for over year on this I am hoping that someone in the VA would realize if I am getting full Social security disability why am I not getting it though the VA. I will let you know the outcome as soon as I hear something. Take care