Gridsmasher11

From my understanding you can only be awarded for 1 mental health issue. But they can be combined.I am awarded 70% for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder...Plus PTSD and Depression normally go hand in hand together..........Grid

Sorry to hear about your denial..But don't ever give up..I fought the VA for years about flat feet and bad knees. I finally got ahold of my exit physical (the same one that was sent to the med board that put me out of the Army) and these items were listed on the physical. It took a couple of years and several C&P exams but I was recently awarded for these conditions.You can request a copy of your exit physical (and med board board proceedings if applicable) from the JSRC , it will take a couple of months but they will send them to you.Also I would do what was previously suggested and get an IMO from a good Orthepedic DR and would consider one of the recommended docs that are remmended on here.Also EVERY TIME you see your PCP complain about the conditions and the arthritis and pain.KEEP TRYING and NEVER GIVE UP........................................Grid

That is great.Here in Texas they have something similiar called the Hazlewood Act. It provides free college tuition to combat veterans in a state run University. It can be signed over to the vets child if the vet chooses to do so.I plan to use it to send my 12 year old to college when she finishes high school. Texas is a really good state to be a veteran in.........Grid

Thanks for your service and congratulations on your award.....................Grid

Just a note is that Ebenefits showed that they needed more evidence from me for the last 2 claims I had up until the day it was decided.If you have given them all the evidence they have requested and all that you have I wouldn't worry about this too much.I think that this is a canned posting that they put up on all claims....good luck....Grid

First of all, thank you for your service. I went through this and won. Important is that when the doctor asks "How are you" you DO NOT reply with OK or Fine.Tell them you are depressed or feeling down etc.As previuosly posted steer away from Family questions.If asked state that you had a normal childhood, good parents, did well in school and had healthy friends and relationships.Make sure to mention the changes in your personality and moods from prior to the military to present.Mention any changes caused by the MDD such as personal relationships, trouble with spouse and extended family.Make sure you have a list of all drugs that have been prescribed and taken and any changes you and your VA psych have made in said drugs.Also include any drugs given for sleep issues( insomnia, nightmares ) as these tie into Depression.Problems with work, being late, missing a lot of work and frequent job changes, trouble with the law.Try to not include any substance abuse problems (alchol, drug abuse).If there is a marked event that ties in with it or it is in conjunction with PTSD be sure to inform doc about these instances and your reaction to them.You should do fine.I went in with a average GAF score of 45 from my VA Psyc and was examined by a VA contract doctor and came out with a GAF score of 35.Went from Disapproved claim to 70% for PTSD/MDD..................Good luck and hope all comes out well for you.........................Grid

I just wanted to say that this option worked wonderfully for me.After several attempts to get my PTSD claim approved I changed tactics. I filled out the Fully Developed Claim paperwork, attached over a years worth of Mental Health notes from my VA Psychiatrist showing she had diagnosed me with PTSD/MDD and showing my meds and my attendance at the PTSD group at my clinic.Also included a buddy statement written by my sister about the changes in me and my personality from before the Gulf War and to present.I submitted this all together (certified,return reciept) and in less than 4 months I had C&P exam with a VA contract Psych and a decision awarding me 70% for PTSD with MDD.IT WORKS, just make sure that you have all of your supporting paperwork including........And this was done through the Waco RO which seems to be very slow claims.......Good luck to everyone.....Grid

It could be just a normal appointment.I went through about a year of seeing my doc through video because my local clinic did not have enough Mental Health docs and the VA Medical Center was over a hundred miles away.I just went to the clinic and they put me in a closet sized room with a video set up and the doctor and I went over how things were going, med changes , etc.Since then they hired some more Phsychiatrists and now I get to see my doc in person ( which I like much better).Hopefully that is the case with you...Thank you for your service and I hope everything works out well.......................Grid

Rover, I don't know about the average time, but on my claim which was closed about 2 weeks ago it was about a week from the time that they said that a decision was reached until it showed up on E-benefits.This was from the WACO RO. I think all RO's are different and it also depends on work load..Hopefully you see or hear something soon...Good Luck and I hope you get everything you deserve...................Grid

To help support your claim for PTSD you will need proof of treatment from the VA.Go and ask for copies of your psychiatric treatment records, it may take a few days because for mental health records many times it requires for the doctor release them to you....I fought a battle with the VA over my PTSD for several years, they kept denying it claiming that their was no evidence of it.Then I started seeing a VA shrink regularly, was prescribed meds and diagnosed by her as having PTSD.I also attended a PTSD group at my local VA clinic once a week that was documented in my records.After a year of this I obtained copies from Mental Health of my records showing over a years worth of appointments with the shrink (with a PTSD diagnosis) and the group therapy appointments all at the VA.I then sent in a claim using the Fully Supported Claim program.The VA had previously accepted my exposure to combat so that was not a problem.2 months after the claim I was sent to a C&P exam to a VA contract doctor.Less than a month later I recieved a notification that I was awarded 70% for PTSD/Major Depressive disorder.This was a wonderful suppries as I was hoping for a rating of 50% but was really expecting 30%.........Insure that you inform the VA of all of your symptoms and problems caused by your PTSD and all the PTSD related meds you take.I currently take 3 different anti-depressants but have leveled out, am not always in a rage or depressed and have greatly improved my work attendance record, have more energy and a better outlook.....So keep going to treatment and establish a good solid paper trail............................................Grid

Just checked the bank account online.Just had 19K deposited from the VA.So the retro is here .....Grid

Gridsmasher was you stationed in Babenhausen Germany? Yep, been there done that.That was my final duty station.But it was not who I served in Desert Storm with.I was in Desert Shield/ Storm out of Bragg with 3/27. Also was stationed at Wertheim as a founding member of 4/27. Grid

No I didn't get TDIU, I haven't applied for it because I am working....Maybe some day................Grid

Today when I got home from work I had the large white envelope from the Waco RO.I knew they had closed my claims from looking at e-benefits.The letter broke it down I am now at 90%.They also added my dependents which was back dated to 2008.I should be getting some retro but the letter doesn't say how much....My new ratings are as follows: Bilateral Ples Planus- 50% Chondramalsia right knee- 10% Chondramalsia left knee- 10% Tinnitus- 10% Combined with my previous ratings of 70% for PTSD and 10% for Left wrist degenartive arthritis it brings me up to 90%> there will be further exams. So now just waiting for the retro to hit the bank. I would like to thank everyone on this wonderful site, I don't ask many questions but learned a LOT from reading on this forum. Gridsmasher11

Ask your primary care physician for a prescription for Diclofenac it is used for athritis and pain management.It is not an opiate.I was prescribed it when 800mg Ibuprofen wasn't working very well anymore. And I preferred not to take the Tramadol as often. It works pretty well for me, it reduces inflamation and eases the pain.I now very rarely take Tramadol anymore. I do still have some pain but it is manageable and I am not as stiff.When my refill is slow getting to me and I run out I can tell the difference.Also consider a claim for Depression caused by the constant pain.Being in constant pain tends to make one depressed and that goes hand in hand to make you hurt worse.I hope you get some relief........Grid

I agree with both Pete and Hedgey, get your husband back to the ER ASAP.I take mirtazipine and while it was very sedating in the beginning I did not have numbness or any of the symptoms you describe.It just made me sleep a lot...Your husband is experiencing some serious side affects and could be in danger......Grid

Congratulations, this is great news.....grid

AF, don't give up..They denied my PTSD 3 times saying there was no evidence of me currently having it..It took a years worth of clinical notes from a VA phsychiatrist stating that I had it plus attending therapy for me to get a new C&P exam....Shortly thereafter I was awarded 70% for PTSD........SO go to your VA primary care doc and request a mental health exam, then attend the therapy sessions...Once you have seen the shrink a few times get your notes and submit them.....I think that you really need to establish that you still have it.But remember that it has to be diagnosed by a VA mental health professional...................Good luck and keep trying......Grid

You need to seek help ASAP...Your symptoms will only get worse if not treated....As previuosly suggested find a vet center or go to the VA...No one needs to know except you and your counselor...I denied having PTSD for many years until I was almost suicidal due to fighting the symptoms....Now thanks to counseling and meds from the VA I am functioning better and family life at home is better...This will not go away alone....My advice is to seek help and the sooner the better...If there is no vet center close and the VA is too far away do an online search for a local PTSD support group.Many cities offer them and they are not connected to the VA....I hope this helps you out and I pray that you find some help and relief...........................................Grid

I am currently 70% service connected for PTSD and MDD.I am still within my year for appeal....I am currently employed by the Department of Defense as a mail clerk...It is a boring job with little responsibility and limited contact with others..My main function is just to be here......But I am having problems with attendance due to my PTSD and really barely just hanging on....My meds make it extremely difficult to wake up and drive the 90 miles to work and to function properly once there.I don't really work well with others and have had altercations in all of my previous jobs until this one.....I have a wonderful supervisor who signs off on my sick days but my attendance is getting worse..I now average between 2 and 6 days a month missed time due to the PTSD and meds........It is getting to be really difficult to keep working..........Should I go ahead and file for TDIU or should I wait until I get to the point where they have to fire me and then file....By the way I am 48 years old.......Any thoughts would be appreciated....................................................Grid

My PTSD claim was submitted under the FULLY DEVELOPED CLAIM program and took a little over 4 months.But, I had a years' worth of VA Phsychiatric notes stating that I had PTSD and recived a quick C&P exam.......From what I have seen and understand you will have to have a C&P if for no other reason than to determine the level of disability you are at...................Grid

Berta, way to go....Your vet deserved this and he is enjoying it through you and your help of other vets..congratulations. Grid

Broken, I was in a similiar situation as you...A lot of missed work, flattened affect etc...Based on what I was reading I was fully expecting to recieve a rating of 50% for my PTSD with MDD...I was pleasantly shocked when my letter came and I was awarded 70%.And I am still working..It is difficult at times, and I miss more work than I should but so far have managed to hold onto my job.It is a job where I have limited contact with others, I have my own office that I sit in for 8 hours a day and some days I am JUST HERE....They sent the TDUI form with my rating but I see no reason to send it in as since I am employed it would be denied..I will submit it when I can't work anymore..So wait for your decision and hope for the best.....As Carlie said each person that looks at your claim might think that you should be a certain percentage and they may all differ.......I am proof positive that you can be rated at 70% for PTSD and be employed...........grid

I take it....Only side effects are the weight gain....watch it because it can cause weight gain...When I first started taking it I had some swelling of my ankles.....It seems to work well for me for help with pain...........................grid

You never know until you get the letter from VA...They had denied mine for 2 years while I had a VA phsychiatrist that was putting in her notes that I had PTSD..I resubmitted the claim with over a years worth of her notes, had a C&P and waited for the results...I fully expected 30% max and in the end was very, very suprised to get 70%.In my case it seems that my C&P exam went in my favor.BUT, NEVER GIVE UP, always keep fighting..If you have MH notes saying that you have PTSD submit them ,but never let the VA get the upper hand...GRID