Medic

T8r...I've been on Citalopram for about 9 months now and I started out on 20mg now I'm up to 40mg...I still have suicidal thoughts but not as any as I use to before - can't really say I have many side effects. I also still have anxiety and depression.

lol my bad sorry bout that I corrected signature it :) @Deacon - with all you have going on I believe u might not even need IU - should come out with 100 P&T. Remember please do not miss any C&P exams - It's so hard to get another one. Good Luck and I'll be keeping u in my prayers for 100% (for which u will receive) :)

Deacon - it depends - I've had C & P's before that had 5 things this one guy was rating me on. My hearing loss was a different exam and my PTSD was a different exam. Make sure to have your game face on. I have a C & P in the morning for about 4 things including IU.

Congrats CBTVET !!!

Congrats!!! I love hearing the great news

It depends if you are a good distance from the MH or you do not have transportation - then the tele-video is the new way that the VA MH are using to at least make sure you are receiving some kind of treatment. It's like taking online classes because you are unable to be in a classroom with a lot of people because of PTSD. But you can request a different MH Dr.

OMG! I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel – I received a call today informing that I have a C& P on 10/14/2011 for my back pain and pain in both knees. I'll take all the advise I can get - this is a re-exam of an increase - I believe that I will also be reexamined at the same-time for my shoulder (I just had shoulder surgery in April) and for chronic sinusitis. My current conditions are: Recurrent Dislocation Left Shoulder (I received surgery on this 04/19/20110) Patellar Chondromalacia Right Knee Patellar Chondromalacia Left Knee Herniated Nucleus Pulposus Lumbar Spine

Congratulations & best wishes on your future Gmaan23 If you served after 9/11 you should have the Post 9/11 GI Bill (so look into that http://www.gibill.va.gov/) and if you are a full-time student you also in addition receive a housing allowance. Social Security has a Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program (WIPA) Social Security Info However the SSA and VA 70% can stop at anytime so please open a Roth IRA and start putting some of your money away each year. (for rainy days) just an FYI. Again Congratulations!!!

Great news Bama...I love to hear good news it keeps me motivated...CONGRATS!!!

I agree you should walk in and have an inquiry done via your VSO.

That's awesome. Congrats!!!

Great news to hear ! Congrats on getting the percentage and on the PTSD that should be coming soon might be 50% on PTSD alone.

Great news...Outstanding!!! It gives us all hope to stay in the fight.

Wow - I'm glad it finally came in for u God bless!

Wishing you the best of luck...I might have to do the same after my 100% comes in because I'm having a really hard time adjusting and I hate to feel the way I am at times - even with the meds and counseling I still have very bad days.

Congrats!!!! I'm so happy for u...put some of that retro in a Roth IRA :)

@Cooter - Thanks - I'll do that on Tuesday

@Berta - Thanks for the follow-up - I did not do a formal claim for the sleep Apnea (secondary to PTSD) but I did have a claim in for sleep apnea before the VA Mental Health gave me a sleep apnea machine - I was dx with sleep apnea from a civilian Dr and turned that paperwork to the VA and am waiting to hear back from them on that claim. I was waiting to hear what the claim will bring in before putting a claim for sleep apnea secondary to ptsd - I'm sure I can get my mental health Dr to state that I have sleep apnea due to secondary to ptsd because he suggested and put in the referral for the sleep apnea test but I told him I already have 2 done and both stated I needed a machine so he got me a machine from the VA. I did list a number of side affects from the meds, depression, etc on the TDIU form. plus with the shoulder surgery I should be going from 20% to 40 or even 50% - but like you said the VA are in their own world lol

Were the Doctor's VA ?

Currently have an overall rating of 80% for Lumber Spine Herniated nucleus pulposus (10%), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD (50%) Left knee Patellar chondromalacia (10%), Osteopenia(10%), Recurrent dislocation of left shoulder (20%). I also just had arthroscopic left shoulder surgery with relation to the service connected left shoulder in April 2011. Will receiving 100% hard from here? I heard that receiving the surgery should increase my 20% to maybe 50%. Also my VA Mental Health got me a Sleep Apnea machine last month - which I believe is secondary to my PTSD.

Diver! Congrats on your award

Congrats - Yes - I've heard of it most of the time from my experience when the DAV reps call and ask you a question like that the person making the rating call has already spoken with the DAV rep - that happen in my case with the American Legion Rep when he called me but like the others say keep at it - it's a very long road but worth it.

Congrats Baca :)

Terry...I know that math is crazy lol the way the VA goes about it - Pete's number are correct check out the link from Service Connected Disabilities Rating Calculator Good luck

Thanks for the post - it gives the rest of us Inspiration...Congrats!!! God bless