ollieee6

I had no issues prior to the service. After being discharged from the Navy, I obtained an IME, in which I was diagnosed as having PTSD and Bipolar Disorder. No signs of a Personality Disorder. This is the first time since me being discharged that the DOD and VA has even mentioned a Personality Disorder. Let alone connecting it to my Service Connected PTSD. I have only filed a claim with the VA for PTSD. I have other confirmed diagnoses of Bipolar Disorder and Adjustment Disorder, for which I was diagnosed at the time of discharge. With the VA stating the Personality Disorder is connected to my PTSD, would that be the basis for a new claim? As you've stated, Ive seen that the diagnosis is often used by the VA to not pay benefits if it is used as a single diagnosis. The latest rating decision states Personality Disorder is included in my PTSD, again, which really confuses me. I too can no longer go to the VA for mental health services.

My issue has many twist and turns. I will pin point the most important events. While in the Navy, starting in April 2004, I started to experience anxiety, depression, and sleeping issues. June 2004, I was diagnosed by an attending Psychiatrist, and prescribed Prozac as follows: Axis I: Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood. Axis II: Personality Disorder NOS dependent and avoidant features July 2004 I was discharged with a General Under Honorable conditions, narrative reason being: Personality Disorder (Convenience of the Government) In 2005 I applied to have my discharge changed, as I felt that I was misdiagnosed as having a Personality Disorder. My request was denied. In 2007, I was diagnosed as having PTSD, and I was awarded VA compensation benefits (PTSD Service Connected) Over the years, I have filed to increase my SC disability, and here recently I have been looking in to requesting to have my records corrected to state medical discharge/medical retiremen and to have my discharge upgraded to "Honorable" I felt that I should have been medically retired, based on being misdiagnosed. I few months ago, I submitted a claim to the VA, and more evidence per the advice of my doctor, in the hopes of having my rating increased. This past week, I received the VA's official rating decision. My rating has stayed the same, but the VA has added more issues to my Service Connected PTSD. Rating Decision is as follows: The evaluation of PTSD, unspecified Personality Disorder, alcohol use disorder is continued at 30%. (Personality Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder had not been previously included) Basically, it states that my Personality Disorder is service connected. Examiner states that it is their opinion my Service Connected PTSD was superimposed on my Personality Disorder. I am in the processing of applying for correction of my military record to be upgraded to Honorable, and narrative reason be medically retired .I am requesting full retirement benefits. My argument is had a PEB examined me, it would have found that I had a mental disability, not merely a personality disorder, and the PEB findings findings would have constituted evidence of my medical condition. All of my symptoms pointed towards PTSD at the time of discharge. I'll admit I am lost and confused. I just recently reviewed my full STR/SMR and found I was diagnosed with an Adjustment disorder during several evaluations. I was not until the last eval before separation was Personality Disorder included. Should I file a claim with the VA for Adjustment Disorder? Any additional information is helpful.

Greetings All. Many thanks to the forum. Jan 2007- Filed a claim for PTSD with VA. Submitted IMO which states Permanently unable to work based solely on my PTSD.(which is the same Dr. that now treats me at the VA). Awarded 10% Oct. 2007 Jan 2007- Filed a claim for PTSD with SSA. Awarded FULL disability benefits June 2007, based solely on my SC PTSD. At that time, I did not submit documents to VA. Jan 2009- Filed for VocRehab, and was approved, still rated at 10% VA compensation. May 2009- Filed claim for increase, and requested IU, but did not complete for 21-8940. March 2010- Increase approved to 30% and IU denied because 21-8940 was not submitted. April 2010- Filed for an increase once again,Submitted my SSA records, and VA requested records as well.VA references my SSA award in decision rating: You have significant restrictions dealing with others, and cannot adequately relate to the public, and showed my records as evidence. Remember, my SSA award is based solely on my SC disability of PTSD. Sept 2010- Evaluation of PTSD, which is currently 30% disabling is continued. May 2011- VocRehab was found to be infeasible. Feb. 2014- filed for an increase. Submitted new evidence, evidence of failed VocRehab, and also submitted SSA records once again, letters from family members. Sept 2014- C&P Oct 2014- Saw movement on ebennies. Claim went from ROE to PDA within 2 weeks. Oct 30 2014- Claim moved back to GOE. Status changed, and reads: You may be entitled to compensation at the 100 percent rate if you are unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation because of your service-connected disabilities. If you believe you qualify, complete, sign, and return the enclosed VA Form 21-8940, Veterans Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability. Date Requested: 10/30/2014 Due Date: 11/29/2014 Am I to gather that I have been rated high enough to meet the schedular requirements for IU? I feel I have provided ample evidence of severe disability due to my PTSD. Unfortunately I am experiencing a financial hardship, and I do not have the time to wait for the IU process, although I have not worked since 2006. I contacted 1800 and also IRIS, requesting to defer mu claim for IU and proceed with a formal rating decision based on the evidence of record. with all this being said, since my claim is in the GOE stage, is it possible for me to submit a request to have my claim be granted the highest rating possible with the earliest effective date, dating back to my SSA award date? The evidence provides a clear indication of impaired functioning sufficient for the highest rating possible..or should I await the formal rating, then file a CUE? Thanks so much in advance.

Did you get this all figured out?