dittybopper

My computer skills are not that great but if you wish I can mail a copy to u. I have a scanner but really don't know how to place the documents on this site.

Hey Thanks for the respond. I should clarify. The is available a word for word diagnosis on MH issues. She wrote this description word for word. And the Manual states that this is a exact criteria for 30%. Sorry for the misunderstanding. However if you google MH and VA together the VA has a definate word description for every diasability level. Mine reads word for word the 30% description. It is going to be attached to my origional disabilities (knees) because my knees put me out of work and due to economic hardship as well as stress due to not working and being unable to contribute to my household. This I think is a positive for some people out there. If your disability puts you out of work and you are not rated high enough to be placed in a TDIU status, You can file on the basis of stress etc... that the hardship places upon you.

Hello All, Just got a copy of my C&P exam. By her report it states that veterans condition is as least liekely as not 50/50 due to his pre-existing condition. Also she plainly states (word for word) that she feels that my disability rating is 30% due to this one condition. If I have done my fuzzy math correctly, 40% + 30% = 60% percent. However since this report was somewhat favorable (she at least states it is adjustment disorder) what are the odds of the rating officer throwing away my C&P report and going with his own direction. Also I have a civilian Pschycologist who is vehement that this disorder is PTSD and NOT Adjustment disorder. Should I send his responce to the C&P report to the Regional Office and will it do any good?

Hey all, Went to a C@P for a claim of PTSD secondary to a 40% disability on my kness. The diagnosis is from two outside Doctors (pschycologist and a MH Cousellor) and is supported by the administration of a MPII2 as well as a PAI. When I went to my C+P the Pschyciatrist spoke to me for about 20 minutes. I handed her a evaluation from my civilian Pschycologist that he diagnosed severe PTSD. However she read the letter and stated "Your Doctor is wrong you have "Adjustment Disorder". I returned to my civilian Pschycologist and told him what she had diagnosed and he blew through the roof. He asked if she administered any tests and I replied no she talked to me about 20 minutes. He is now in the process on writting a rebutal letter to the VA on this issue. The event was NOT combat related. However it is related to my current disability as I was forced out of work due to my disability and the stress involved with being out of work due to my disability as well as the chronic pain I was in as well as the hardship due to the insuing economic hardships. I strongly believe that there is a issue here due to homicidal idealations, suicidal idealations, recurring panic attacks as well as emotional outburts at anything regarding the Post Office where I was taunted and attacked for days and had a total mental breakdown. I am currently taking 250 mg per day and 1,5 mg xanax and 50 mg Trazadone due to sleep issues. I have been directed to apply for diasability with my employer as it is felt that if I returned I may well commit acts of violence up to and including murder. I have one Doctor that fells that my ability to work at all is impossible as i am no longer able to deal with any stressor without reacting by violence. I am sorry for posting this in so many words but I am curious 1. Is there a case here 2. why did she without any testing deciede upon Adjustment disorder 3. When shown medical evidence and test results showing severe PTSD she ignored that evidence by saying "Your Doctor is wrong 4. IF I was sent to a C+P then the VA must have at least some idea that this is a disability issue as my file ws in the rating board just before the C+P was ordered. 5. All test results and medical evidence was sent to the VA and all agree this is related to my knees as a secondary MH issue. 6 Most of all I am just scared as I have not left my house except for medical and MH appointments or shopping which is extremely difficult for me and am often forced to wait outside in the car while my wife and kids do the shopping.

Sorry for the misspellsguys but i was in a rage typing this out. Why is it we do our time and serve honorably and after were out we are treated like dogs.

Ok here we go. I went to my C&P exam today at mental health. I explained that my condition had began in Sept 2009 when my initial disability (knees) forced me out of work for 6 months. Due to hard economic issues and feelings of inadequency and all the stress and depression that comes with it. I even came 10 days from having my house forclosed. Then when my employer found a light duty position I could do I was verbal and publically attacked,humiliaed and taunted. This harsh treatment went on for 24 days and I was back out of work for what my medical Doctor called severe stress and severe anxiety. I just had a total breakdown on the day he diagnosed this. I was sent to a outside Pschtcolofist as well as a mental health councellor. The Pschycologist gave me a mpii2 and a PAI test. As you know if you ar going through a issue thee tests cannot be faked. These tests showed severe depression and severe anxiety with a high probability of suicide. I was then put on xanax and zoloft as well as trazadol to help with insomnia issues. After seeing these doctors (outside the VA) I was diagnosed with PTSD. With suicidal and homicidal idealations. Since the condition started because I went out of work due to my knees and I was attacked about my disability I filed for a Compensation claim with the VA. I got to my C&P today and told her what is going on and everything I was experiancing daily anxiety and depression as well as chronic pain as well as thoughts of suicide one going as far as putting a gun to my head during a panic attack luckily I came to my sences and figured out where I was before I pulled the trigger. I told jer I still had anger issues etc.. so the period of this issue has been with me for 1 year now. The lady Doctor doing my C&P looks at the Doctors letters I brought and states. I think your Doctor is wrong. I believe you have adjustment disorder. The sad part of this is adjustment disorder as I looked it up on the web can begin as much as 3 months after the event so this would be Sept to Nov. After this it lasts for 6 months and then it goes away with treatment. So it should have ended May of 2010. However the VA is having to increase my medications trying to help me cope with this. The timeline of this condition can be found on the web. So basically she is stating I have a temporary condition that will go away. Basically she stuck it to me as the VA will use this as a escape clause and say sorry we don't rate temporary conditions. The saddest part is I even explained I worked for the Postal Service and the sight of a Post Office even a delivery truck can send me into a rage or a frozen state. I have had to be held back from attacking mailmen who were just trying to deliver mail where I happened to be at. So I figure I will wait the next 4 to 5 months and recieve a letter saying "claim denied as it is only temporary. I have began the process of medical retirement from the Post Office as both my civilian Doctors feel there is a very gret chance of tragedy if i return. AS part of the medica retirement with the Post Office I also have filed for SSD. Somehow I think this VA Doctor took a huge swing at the ball and missed horribly. Which is just great I get to fight with the VA yet again because some Pschyciatrist who talked with me for about 30 minutes figures she knows better what the condition is than two trained mental health professionals (a Pschycologist and a counsellor) who have been working with me since June 2010 and april 2010 respectfully have diagnosed. I know the differance is huge between Adjustment disorder and PTSD. But my doctors tested me and have the test results with them showing PTSD (severe). I simply cannot nelieve this happened today as I know the VA will toss my Doctors recodrs and go straight off the C&P. Sorry to vent guys but this one really pissed me off.

Hey all a desperate plea for help. My current job has aggrevated my disability from the Veterans Administration. I am currently at 40% and have been told without surgery on my knees I cannot continue in my job. My knees are at 10% each for Retropallete Femoral syndrome with pain. My hips were added in Aug 2009 as per pain etc..... My back showed arthritis which the VA claimed was not a issue of theirs and stated my ankles were due to weight but I had medical records showing that it was in ralation to my knees. This was apparently ignored. The issue is I work as a mail man. My knees are preventing me from working and according to my Ortho Doctor need surgery. I have not worked since Sept 9 2009. I have filed a workman's comp claim (aggrevation to existing condition and am awaiting word on this case. However my C and P clearly states that even with the surgery due to the arthtitis in my back there would be "A significant impact on my ability to perform my job" So as you see I am stuck between workman's comp and the VA. I am getting close to losing my home due to no income and need some guidance on if I can go through the VA for help in either retraining or something to get income flowing again before I am out on the street. Any help would be appreciated. I apologize if I am in the wrong post for this.

Thanks to Hadit !!! Raised disability from 20 to 40 percent am going to keep the fight going still believe they are low balling me.

hey all, Just got the word from my DAV Rep decixion was as follows 10% both knees (same as initial award in 2001) and a additional 10% each hip due to degenerative joint disease. I was denied on ankles and back as they feel back is due to arthritis and therefore not their issue. I know I have to file a NOD the question is How do I support the NOD as I know my knees are worse than they were years ago when I recieved my initial award. I am now in braces and a cane and have not worked since September as my Orthopedic Doctor feels I cannot do my job as a Mail Man with the conditions as they are. He believes that all issues including my back and ankles are associated with my knees. I need advice on which way to proceed. I know I will not be 100% as I am not in totally incapacitaed state however not being able to work tells me it iss more than a 10% each knee issue. My Orthopedic Doctor wants to do surgery but states success is 70% likely to be sucessful and 30% will do no good or make it worse. ANy suggestions how to proceede from here. I thank anyone in advance for their advice.