Search the Community

Hello everyone, I have a question on whether I should submit, or even mention, certain paperwork for my claim. I have recently been awarded Social Security Disability (SSDI) based on my service-connected back condition. As I'm pretty sure that would help me with my VA TDIU claim, there were things the two examining doctors put in their reports that are incorrect and could go against me with my other secondary claims. Therein lies the issue. For example; Social Security (SS) sent me to a doctor to examine my back, and a psychologist for depression and PTSD. The psychologist may have spent 30 minutes with me and put in his report to SS that I had a "mild" mood disorder due to chronic pain and that my mental health condition is "fair." This is something that my wife and daughter strongly disagrees with since they have to put up with me every day. The therapist I talk to every week diagnosed me with major depression and PTSD. MY QUESTION: Since I will be claiming depression and PTSD as secondary claims, should I even submit this psychologists report to the VA? Should I even mention this in my veterans statement? Will the VA have access to my SS file whether I mention it or not? Or if there is a chance the VA will find this report in their search, should I be proactive and rebuke the information in my veteran statement? The report from the doctor that examined my back was full of misinformation. He stated I began having mild back pain in 1975 to 1980. When in fact my back pain started in the mid-1980s while in the military. This is well-documented. He also stated that I have had hypertension for approximately 3 to 4 years and is usually well controlled on medication. I have had hypertension documented for 20 years, and it is NOT well controlled on medication. It often spikes. In fact, my blood pressure at his office visit, documented in his report, was 170/88. This doctor also stated in his report that I have had sleep apnea 5 years, when in fact I have had sleep apnea documented for 18 years. I'm not sure where he got his information, but it certainly didn't come from me. SECOND QUESTION: Even though his report on my back obviously helped me get SS disability, will it hinder me on my hypertension and sleep apnea secondary VA claims? My medical records can definitely back up the dates when these issues started, but am just wondering if I should submit his report and even mention my SSDI approval in my veteran's statement for my TDIU claim? I know this was a little long and I appreciate anybody that took the time to read it. I'm not sure how to proceed and I really appreciate any replies. Thank you!

What specifically do I ask of him?

I just had my appeals hearing with my ALJ I presented her that I am 100% TDIU PTSD 70 Back 40. I have a caregiver as well as my mental health doctor who wrote her opinion that I cannot maintain employment. What are my chances for a favorable decision. Thanks in advance

Hi Hadit members! I have a question for folks who have SSDI: how hard is it to get? I have read information about SSDI stating it is harder to get vs VA disability, especially if the person applying for it is under 40. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

It's been about 7 years since my last ssdi review. Since then I have divorced my ex wife and have custody of my son. Last time I filled out SSDI papers the VA helped me fill them out. Before my ex would do everything and I never left the house much. On SSDI's 10 page review paperwork I forgot information and know I didn't do a good job. Had to call and tell them I forgot to list a medication or two. I got a call yesterday from the reviewer asking if I'd be willing to see a doctor they'd pay for. I said yes. This has me freaking out. I am rated 100% P&T for ptsd and my ssdi is just for ptsd. I told ssdi I go to the store, park with my son, and that is an improvement of where I was. I can't help but feel they're going to take away my ssdi by saying I can work now. Am I just over thinking this? Could this need to see their doctor be because of how poorly I filled out the 10 pages they sent me?

I got a pretty good deposit in my account the day after the election. It didn't sit well with me. I figured they just screwed me again and the fight would have to continue. When I got the envelope the next week I read the decision and knew I was correct. I try not to let this stuff piss me off but it still does. Sometimes really bad. I have attached a copy of the rating decision. I have also attached a copy of a letter that I wrote to my congressman where I point out errors that I see. I have looked at the ebenefits letters. The commissary letter states " compensation at the 100 percent rate due to service-connected disability(ies). This total disability is considered permanent. You are not scheduled for future examinations." The benefit verification letter shows the payment at the 100 percent rate, but shows my disability at 90 percent. The tax office said to bring the letter that shows I am 100 percent to get home tax relief. I am not sure of what letter they want. 2020-10-28 VA Decision Redacted for Hadit.pdf 2020-11-16 VA Letter to Congressman Redacted for hadit.pdf

Got my HLR call Saturday. Yes, Saturday. Hard to believe that someone in the VA is working on Saturday. Good thing the phone displayed VA or I wouldn't have bothered to answer it. I submitted my HLR back on 2 June 2020. Her call was on 24 October 2020. 144 days. The VA will definitely not make their goal of 125 days to the decision on this one. I am not sure what she had looked at in my case, if anything. She wanted to know what I was disagreeing with. I explained to her about the CUE I had filed, all the trouble I had getting VA to accept it. I explained to her how the VA had requested C&P exams when all I was trying to do was get the VA to look into a CUE. I explained to her how since the VA had done C&P exams the rater had put in the effort to communicate with the examiner twice to reduce a rating from 40% to 20%, yet the examiner couldn't find my SSA grant. I explained to her about the SSA records in my C-file, how I had about 20 pages of someone else's records in the middle of my records. I told her maybe this is part of why someone didn't approve it sooner. I told her it looked to me like someone dropped the paper files and didn't have enough sense to separate the two files. I told her about the latest denial where the rater looked into the SSA records and found a denial but didn't look up the grant of benefits that is in the SSA records. I explained to her that I hadn't worked since June 2000. I told her about the VR&E denial based on my doctors statements. I told her how the raters kept denying me stating other evidence in my records showed I wasn't unemployable. I explained to her how the raters kept saying I quit my job, but M21-1 says that doesn't have any affect on the decision. She seemed very sympathetic. She said she would take care of me. Well, it will be very interesting to see if she does. I had a prior call from a lady at the Roanoke VA, she thought I was going to get approved. In just a few weeks I got the denial. I had written to my congressman about all this crap. I got a reply back from the congressman's office but it was the same BS from the VA. I sent back to the congressman's office quite a few pages of all the documentation showing the VA crap. I think this was sent by the congressman to the VA Secretary Wilkie. I have no idea if this is at all related to the call or not.

I'm a 58 yr old Air Force vet and I just recently got my SSDI approved which made me Medicare eligible. Me and my wife's health insurance is through Tricare Prime. Tricare rules say that I lose my Tricare eligibility if I decline Medicare Part B. Does this mean I have to pay both my Tricare premium and Medicare Part B premium to keep my Tricare insurance?

I know that SSDI for SC disabilities means near automatic approval of TDIU but not the other way around. Does that mean that I should try to get SSDI first? If so, do you know of any good SSDI resources and forums? Thanks.

Hello everyone. I've been searching this website and yukon website for my answers and I guess I just want to ask this question again because the answers I'm seeing are from 2011 or so and I want to make sure it's still valid for 2017. I got out of the service on medical discharge for fibromyalgia, MDD, and GAD in 2008. I was unable to tell anyone about my MST that happened prior to me developing Fibro (which I found out is usually connected to PTSD). Anyrate, since then I have talked to the VA Psychs for help and tried to "fix" myself and finally I opened up and told them about my MST and received a diagnosis of PTSD in 2013. Then in 2016 my VA Primary Care told me to reapply for benefits because she said they need to service connect me for my PTSD. I submitted my application, was honest and straight forward and very forthcoming even though I cried through my Comp and Pen exam. I have used Voc Rehab to change careers from Nuclear Electronics Technician to an Ultrasound Tech, and have worked as a tech from 2012-2014. After 2014 I quit working when my daughter was born, but also my fibromyalgia was flaring up so bad that it made it impossible to work anymore. I haven't worked since. Voc Rehab screwed up my award and didn't close out my case so I still have benefits left over and I was approved with a severe work handicap to use my benefits to go back to school after the birth of my second child. So here I was waiting for my disability decision and studying for the GRE to apply to a Nurse Practitioner Program helping women only because I have PTSD attacks with men. I was hoping that wouldn't be as hard on me as my Ultrasound position was. Then I get the decision stating that I am 100% P&T for PTSD, and 60% combined for fibromyalgia and hearing issues from the Navy, all service connected, and I'm getting SMC for Homebound criteria being met. I called the VA directly to find out if that meant that I wasn't allowed to work anymore. (I didn't plan on going to school until 2019, and not trying to work again until 2022.) The VA rep said that I WAS allowed to work and they may evaluated me in the future for my PTSD, and 'could' lower my rating, but that the rating wouldn't be lowered if I still met the criteria for 100% PTSD, it wouldn't have anything to do with whether or not I was working. The American Legion rep said I was allowed to work as well. But then when I read these forums it says I'm not allowed to work. I know already that Voc Rehab wouldn't pay for me to do the Nurse Practitioner schooling anymore because I was having difficulties trying to get them to approve it when I had a 50% rating, and now that I'm higher I know without a doubt they wouldn't allow it, so I understand I'm not going to be a Nurse Practitioner for Women's Health anymore. So I guess what I'm so upset about is accepting the fact that I can't work. I will have two children that I don't want to lose the education benefits for whatsoever, and everything else that's included with the 100% rating. No way in heck I want to lose that! It will sit easier with me if I get approved for SSDI. But that terrifies me too! I'm waiting for an appointment to apply in person because I'm scared I'll mess it up doing it online. So, confirmation: I cannot work if I don't want to risk losing any benefits, correct? And what are the do's and don'ts as far as what I should do in order to keep this disability rating for the next 19 years? I think that terrifies the most, screwing up and having my rating decreased. I know we are all stressed about this, please forgive me for this long post. And thank you all for your service and your advice. Peace and Love.

Hello All, Ive been coming to this site on and off for a couple of years, but this is my first post. Lot of knowledgeable and great people here. Thank you to all the old timers and those with experience for everything you contribute here. You do a lot for people, even though it may not be evident. Im a 36 year old 100 P&T VA for combat related PTSD, TBI and other service connected issues. Former active duty 11B B4, fought with the 101st in OIF. Left active in 2009 as I was having issues. No one was helping me, didnt understand what was wrong with me, and of course the culture of "if youre not bleeding or missing a limb, dont go to sick call", ect. So I left, joined the reserves where Ive been ever since. That door is about to close as well, as I just cant do it anymore. I did my best to try and still contribute to my nation, feel some sense of worth and continue to serve, but my issues are too great and I have to step away. Even though the Army has changed a lot, I still feel a great sense of loss of over this. But, I have a family now and must do what is best for them. That alone is difficult for me. Those of you who have the same issues as me may understand, PTSD and TBI are what I call a "perfect storm of bull____". Our hardware and software are both busted and feed off each other in ways that I myself cannot even begin to describe. Damn near ruined my life and just trying to get through the average day takes everything Ive got. I used to be a mostly-normal, fun-loving, smart and well-adjusted guy and I was good at my job. Anyway, this ain't a therapy session, but Im sure a lot of you can understand where Im coming from. My latest battle is with SSDI. Denied. Appeal denied. Now Im onto the hearing phase. Hearing is set for April 5th. I have a lawyer firm I sort of just picked out of a hat. They arent even in my locale, Im in the Northwest, they are Philadelphia or something. They are supposed to be representing me. I have a hearing in April and I havent even talked to a real lawyer yet. Im worried and scared about this whole process. It has made me extremely anxious, among other things. Its causing a lot of extra stress. Im trying to find answers on how to maximize my chances of success. What Ive gleaned so far is of course, get all VA records. I still attend treatment every month (i would go more but Its a 4 hour round trip just to see them every month). Im sure its going to be harder to get SSDI because of my age too. Not to mention, the VA does not seem the best at keeping records. Most all of my treatment has been with the standard-issue social worker therapist type and of course, the docs/nurses who prescribe me my meds. My head is swimming. I am having a hard time making sense of all this. Im scared and I could really use some guidance. I dont trust these lawyer people to do their best for me. Im hoping there is not something critical I am missing. Im not good at describing my symptoms, reflecting on my life.... let alone in court in front of a judge. Sorry such a long post, sort of hard to collect my thoughts. Thanks for any input and advice.

I received the short from from Social Security and checked the box "In the last year, I have not discussed with my doctor whether I can work". This is because it is understood that I cannot, and my doctor and I don't discuss working (at least, I think) because its a given that it is permanent that I cannot. Anyhow, this seems to have triggered the long form from ssdi and I filled it out and sent it in asap. I put my psych dr's contact info and my therapist's. My question is: Should I contact my doctor or therapist in advance or just let them respond to what the SS office asks for? Thanks much!

IF YOU CAN PLEASE LIKE THIS POST SO THAT I KNOW IM NOT ALONE...... ITS MY BELIEF THAT IF EACH AND EVERY VETERAN GETS A VA CASE WORKER JUST LIKE THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMIN GIVES THENNN,,,, WE AS VETS WOULD ALWAYS KNOW WHATS GOING ON AND HAVE A PHONE NUMBER TO 1 PERSON AND BE ABLE TO SUBMIT NEW EVIDENCE TO 1 PERSON JUST LIKE THE CLAIMANTS OF SS. WE COULD STILL USE VSO'S TO FIND OUT WHAT BENEFITS WE ARE ALL ENTITLED TO AND ARGUE FOR BUT,,,,,,, WE WOULD NOW HAVE A SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT WITHIN THE VA SYSTEM WORKING ON OUR CLAIMS AND CASE WHO WORKS FOR VA AS THE CASE MANAGER FOR US THE INDIVIDUAL. PLEASE VOTE THIS AND LIKE IF YOU AGREE...

I got my second denial from SSA for SSDI. I'm 100% T&P Unemployable. I hired a law firm to do my paperwork because I just don't have the ability or concentration do so. So I got my second denial, which I'm not really happy with my Lawyer as I thought I would be getting more help with the filing. I had to fill out the question pamphlet they sent by myself which took forever. I didn't get any help on that. Which I though a lawyer would help with the wording and medical terminology info to make sure it sounded the way the SSA folks needed it to read. Now that I'm on the second denial and going to a judge next I'm going to need some help to make sure I'm getting hosed over by lawyer for being lazy. So I've been reading here that an RFC from a doctor would help greatly. My Question is: Does my VA doctor have to help me with my SSDI by filling out a RFC? Which I guess carries the most weight with the SSA folks for SSDI. More so than just a general letter from a doctor? I assume a RFC from both my Primary and my Mental Health doctors would be needed assuming they are going to do it.

if SSDI allow you to make 12 grand a year and also the new law in one state makes anyone getting SSI get a job in order the get their checks 700. per month I f I do all my work around my house in like painting, cutting grass . Than I am a no go vet is that correct. I could care less what VA do film me. Their is somethings that members should be allowed to talk about, maybe adding more forums. If I paint my son house for cash money $1000.00 inside work will I tell my Doctors or VA about this.?????? No none of their business if they don't ask don't tell. Its not about giving bad advice it about true facts its life it happens everyday Than I am a dishonest vet. I cook in my yard every weekend and people come by and ask to buy some of my food is this dishonest??? . Don't get mad now just asking a ?

Hi, i am SC 100% P&T for bipolar, asthma and a few other things. I tried to apply for ssdi, but was denied - in a nutshell they said "we see that you are disabled, but we have determined that you can adjust to other work. we do not have sufficient vocational information to determine whether you can perform any of your other work". So i take this as them needing more proof that i am really a screwed up person (which unfortunately i am , mainly due to the extremeness of my bipolar). So iread that i could get a doctor to fill out a form to better explain my issues. https://www.disabilitysecrets.com/sites/default/files/Residual_Functional_Capacity_Form.pdf https://www.disabilitysecrets.com/sites/default/files/MENTAL_RFC.pdf BUT HERE ARE THE PROBLEMS. 1. My doctor does not have any openings until Nov, and its currently sept. 2. The therapist at the outpatient clinic will not have any openings until JANUARY 3. the mental health clinic at the actual hospital only have docs who can prescribe medicine, not actual therapists. So what can i do. My doctor only treats me for pain related issues anyway, not mental health stuff. So im pretty stuck. Can anyone offer some advice. Thanks

When a spouse is awarded SSDI and their Spouse has NSC Pension must they divorce to keep their $? What could be done to avoid divorce?

I received the paperwork for Social Security a month or so ago saying that my case was up for review. It had some paperwork to fill out, etc. I filled it out and also enclosed my 100% IU permanent and total letter when mailing it back. Yesterday I received a letter back saying that they weren't reviewing my case at this time and that I need to notify social security if anything changes. I have never had any doctor or medical appointment for my SSDI, just my VA records. Do I just sit back and wait for them to decide to review or does this mean they will look at it again in 3 years?

I am so lost and confused in this whole ssdi and va. My DAV rep tries to talk me out of applying for an increase but I told him to anyway and went from 30% for anxiety to 70% PTSD with anxiety. now at 100% schedular. My question is can and/or should I apply for SSDI and what are my chances based on what I have stated already. I have 11 different disabilities due to injuries and surgeries from military service. I continue trying to work but have had to quit 3 jobs due to the stress and disabilities :( I love working but struggle to keep working without causing more pain and hurt on myself. any ideas?

Hi everyone, I started voc rehab on October 10th of 2016, my counselor put me in a program extended evaluation because I have gone to school in the past and did not work out for me. I get BAH every month while I attend to this program, I volunteer at a call center and the manager submits the hours that I volunteer to my voc rehab counselor. I am required to complete 32 hours every week. During the month of November I completed half of the hours I was required to work resulting in an over payment from the V.A. I could not attend to my place of duty some days because I had ER visits, v.a. appointments and disability related matters. My counselor told me that my best bet is to file for IU since I was not fit for school and had 4 different jobs in 2016 due to ptsd and physical disabilities (currently 80% combined) She mentioned that she was going to write a memo explaining that I am not employable, she said that her letter would carry a lot of weight in regards of the V.A. making a decision to put me in IU and to get SSDI through the SSA. My concern is how long would this decision take to get approved, I have read many posts and it seems that it can vary from 2 to 6 months sometimes 1 year. I cannot wait that long since I have a family to support and bills to pay like everyone else. I submitted an "intent to file" claim on ebenefits 3 months ago, I am putting all the evidence, mri's, doctor's notes, and evetything else that I need to increase my rating and to add other disabilities that I did not add in the past. I am going to submit the claim in a few weeks: Should I get letters from my therapists and psychiatrist stating that I am not employable to have a more solid claim? Is extended evaluation considered full time work and will this be seen like I am employable? I just sit down all day at the call center and help with paperwork and maybe call 6 individuals per day. Any inputs welcomed

Hello, I have been on SSDI for the last 3.5 years and got the long form in the mail last night. Obviously, I am very concerned that my SSDI benefits may be stopped. A bit about me. I am a veteran with a 50% rating for issues that are not mental health related but I do have open appeals for depression and anxiety with the VA that have been remanded from the BVA to my local office about 2 weeks ago after being on appeal since 2009. I was awarded a 10% increase in this remand for a physical issue and received back pay for it. The other mental health issues( depression and anxiety) are still on remandI was awarded SSDI for a combination of mental health and physical disabilities. I have been diagnosed by the VA since 2010 with depression not otherwise specified, Paranoid personality disorder, alcoholism in remission, anxiety and history of other psychotic disorder all this was pulled from the ebenefits website blue button thing.I take Zoloft and Buspar daily and Abilify sometimes and am mostly in compliance with the meds. It has stated in my medical records that I have been non compliant before and then things get worse and I report it to my doctors and I get back on the meds but if I have to give it a percentage I would say I am 80-90% compliant and take the meds. I have seen my treatment team at least every 2 months since 2010 and the team includes a pyschchiatrist and a physcologist although the pscycholgist recently left the VA a few months ago but I was transferred to another pscychologist on the same team.I have included a (scrubbed of personal data) one of my latest session notes from the new psychologistI see from just a few months agoLongstanding Hx of psych sxs , including depression and paranoid personality traits. Some interpersonal difficiulties and problems managing anger. Chronic, fleeting violent thoughts (baseline), but has not acted on them in a long time, stated that he is in control of his behavior. Had SI in the past, stated that he might get to that point again at some time in the future, but denied any current SI. No job. Protective factors: Social support (living with his wife, her daughter, and his son from a prior relationship, mentioned his wife to be supportive). Future-orientation . Interested in MH treatment. Pt denied any current suicidal ideation. Some positive coping skills. Pt seems committed to his son, stated that he is very protective of him. Stated that he is in control of his behavior. Offered to review MH Safety Plan, but pt declined, stated that he has the plan at home, agreed to adhere to it should he start feeling worse. Assessment: Pt is currently considered to be at lower risk for suicide given the above-mentioned factors.Pt denied any homicidal ideation, has chronic, fleeting violent thoughts, but is clearly aware of them, does not have plan or intent to hurt any specific person, has not acted on them in a long time, stated that he is in control of his behavior, agreed that this would go against his value of being a good father. Patient Education: Readiness to learn: Attended session, Appeared to listen attentively, Asked questions, Responded to other's questions Content: Behavioral strategies for managing depression and impulses. Patient Understanding: Verbalized comprehension of material, Asked questions for clarification, Demonstrated application of contentA - Active Problems Treated This Encounter: Paranoid Personality D/O (per chart). Unspecified Depressive D/O (double depression). Alcohol use d/o (dependence), in remissionMental Status: Grooming: Good Motor: tense Mood: mildly irritable and guarded Affect: Appropriate to content; limited range Speech: Overall Normal Thought Content: Normal Thought Processes: Overall Logical Suicidality: Absent Homicidality : Absent Hallucinations: Absent Delusions: Absent Oriented: Fully Oriented Judgement: Fair Insight: FairProgress Toward Goals: At the start of today's session, pt confirmed full Social Security number and DOB, and I discussed my scope of practice, documentation practices, confidentiality constraints, and mandatory reporting requirements. Pt orally consented to participate in psychotherapy sessions.Discussed pt's goals for treatment. He described his MH tx hx , described how he is dealing with violent thoughts. Agreed that those thoughts are not problematic as long as he is able to control his behavior, and he stated that he is able to do that. Explored what startegies help him with that, and he agreed that remembering his value of being a good father is helpful, and also thinking about possible consequences should he ever act out those thoughts. He also mentioned that not having to work has reduced his stress, which has also been helpful in controlling his behaviors. Briefly touched upon the concept of values (things that are meaningful to him) and Encouraged him to think about other aspects that might give his life more purpose and meaning. Pt did not mention any significant sxs of depression, but it seems that these issues at times contribute to pt feeling frutsrated and depressed. He also mentioned occasional urges to drink, but knows that the consequences would not be good, has overall been in control of this. Pt also mentioned some discord with his wife's grown-up daughter, wants to bring his wife for a collateral session next time.Reviewed MH crisis phone numbers and offered pt card with them, but he declined, stated that he has those numbers. P - 1. Ind. psychotherapy with this writer, once or twice/month (offered earlier session, but pt wanted to return in about a month) 2. Continue psych med mgmt with DR. Soo. 3. Consider supportive groups (if pt interested)This one here is my lastest one from my phvstiatrist that perscribes me pills at the VA IDENTIFICATION: ****is a 48-year old, married (and previously divorced), male Army veteran with a history of depressive symptoms, cluster B personality traits, paranoid ideation (of overvalued rather than delusional intensity), and recurrent problems with irritability and anger management. He was last seen by me on 10/23/15 and returns today for a 30-minute follow-up appointment. For further details related t the patient's present illness and other aspects of his history, please refer to the C&P exam note from 2/4/10, Dr. ###'s notes from 5/19/10 to 7/14/10, Dr. Erickson's note from 7/26/10, Dr. $$$'s therapy notes from 6/28/10 to 10/12/11, Dr. ###'s therapy notes, and my initial note from 9/2/10.CURRENT PSYCH MEDS:Zoloft 200 mg po qday (pt has been taking it on most days) Buspar 30 mg po bid (pt currently takes 40 mg a day)Abilify 30 mg po qday (pt is no longer taking the medication) PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATION HISTORY: Has been on Paxil "on and off" for several years but did not find it helpful. Dr. $$$ therefore switched him to Celexa on 5/19/10. Pt also tried Seroquel very briefly, in July 2010, but did not like its effects (felt "goofy" on the medication). The record also alludes to past trials of lithium. On 1/11/11, I started him on Abilify, to augment his antidepressant medication (which at that time was Celexa) and address intrusive, possibly obsessive thoughts. The medication seemed to help initially, but he decided to discontinue it because he did not think it was beneficial Because of sexual side effects, he called in on 3/30/11 with a request to D/C the Celexa, which I agreed to substitute with Wellbutrin. He eventually decompensated and stopped taking the medication. Following his admission to 1K in Aug 2011, he was not restarted on Wellbutrin but was prescribed Zoloft, which was continued when he was discharged to St. Cloud RRTP. Buspar was also added during his stay at St. Cloud, for anxiety. Abilify- started on in Aug 2012, as he was experiencing intrusive/obsessive paranoid thoughts that were worsening his anxiety and irritability. The medication helped. When he went off it months later, he had a resurgence of paranoia (believed that members of Hells Angels, with whom he had never encountered, were trying to harm him). He resumed the medication but stopped it again in mid-2013. This time, he did not experience a return of the aforementioned thoughts and elected to stay off it. I discontinued the medication on 8/30/13. As he began experiencing obsessive and intrusive suicidal ideation (with no clear trigger), I restarted him on the medication in mid-July 2014.Prazosin- started on 10/3/14, to address nightmares. Pt eventually stopped taking it as his dream subsided.INTERVAL HISTORY:Although he looks mildly anxious and pensive (per his baseline), **** has been feeling "pretty decent" overall. He is concerned, however, about two "attacks of paranoia" that he experienced recently, in the presence of his wife. Apparently, while lining up at Walmart, an African-American man, with a "teardrop" tatoo over his eye came up behind him. His proximity made **** extremely uncomfortable, so he moved away, at which point the other person moved closer. He subsequently moved to a different aisle and noticed that man peering at him, which evoked a lot of fear. %%%% thought that this individual was planning to kill him and initially considered confronting him aggressively. Instead, he called Dr. %%% and talked through the situation. He left the store without incident. Later, he had a terrifying moment at another store when a "Mexican" man, who looked like a "gang member", entered the same aisle as him. He again needed to restrain himself from attacking but, in the end, refrained form any provocative action. He now recognizes that his fears were exaggerated and that what he interpreted to be threatening actions may have actually been benign.He wonders why he would have such a reaction in the first place. Possibly, the ethnicity of the individuals involved may have been a trigger, especially when coupled with his chronic distrust and anxiety. To some degree, his wariness is not completely inappropriate, as many reasonable people might feel temporarily uncomfortable in the situations he described. However, the degree of fear he experienced and the assumptions to which he leapt require some modulation. I affirm that, ultimately, he was able to manage his fears appropriately. Since these incidents, he has begun taking a higher dose of Buspar (40 mg po qday instead of 30 mg po qday ). It is too soon to tell if this has had any effect. I note that, should he continue to experience such "paranoia" on a consistent basis, he could consider restarting Abilify ( twhich is still on his prescription list, even though he has not taken it for many months). He acknowledges this possibility.He is otherwise doing relatively well. He and his wife are still adjusting to the presence of his son, ###, but the transition is going a bit better than he expected (although some tensions between his wife and his son are present). MSE: Pt describes mood as "pretty decent" but affect remains pensive. At one point, he expresses irritation at a misunderstanding on my part. Thought process generally logical. No delusional thoughs noted. No hallucinations. Insight and judgment seem adequate at this time for maintaining safety.IMPRESSION: Other than for two recent episodes of anxiety and acute suspiciousness towards strangers, pt has been doing relatively well. He was able to handle the aformentioned situations appropriately and without resorting to violence. He is also adjusting to the presence of his son, ###. He has not had suicidal or homicidal thoughts and feels well supported by his wife.DSM-5 DIAGNOSES:Persistent depressive disorderETOH use disorder, in remission History of other psychotic disorderOther specified personality disorder (paranoid traits) PLAN:1) Continue Zoloft 200 mg po qday , Buspar 30 mg po bid, and Abilify 30 mg po qday . Pt not currently taking Abilify and is taking a smaller dose of Buspar. Will not change his existing prescriptions, so that he can return to his original regimen should anxiety worsen and paranoia return.2) He will continue to see Dr. ### for therapy.3) He can resume AA meetings as needed.4) He will return for follow-up in 2 months. We discussed my upcoming depature from the VA. While he is naturally quite concerned about this development, he seems to accept it overall. We spend some time processing some of his fears regarding the transition. Am I in danger of losing SSDI? Would you need more information to give me an idea? Anyone else been in this position?

I am applying for Social security disability.. Does a letter from a family member documenting the effects the respective disability has on me help my claim???? Do any of you guys have any experience with this? Thanks again for your help

So I finished filling out the SSDI stuff online, from the SS website tonight. I started the online process a few weeks ago. I have a letter from about a week or so ago from the SS administration, telling me to go back online and complete the following information: Disability Report Form 3368 Medical Release Form 827 I went back online and finished it, and "signed" a medical release area from the website. After looking up the Medical Release 827 form on the internet, I certainly didn't see anything that resembled that form while finishing up my application online. So I guess my question is, am I ok? Maybe this is a NEW thing that the SS admin has done online, and it is not like that form anymore and is covered by what I did?

OK hold on to your hat quick review. Haven't worked since DEC 2012. Filed SSDI claim JAN2013 Was awarded TDIU Jan2015. I'm 80% combined rated at 100% Scheduler. Went in front of ALJ June 2015. The fat A$$ judge called me obese, a liar and denied my claim. Appealed on several issues the best one was new material evidence. I was able to get a Residual function test done by OT. And after reading the mission statement I was able to get my PCP to fill out a 6 page questionnaire done by Binder and Binder (NOT happy with them btw) Any how my DOC was thorough and definite as to my disability and inability to work any job. So that's where I am at today. They owe me around 70K but I am approaching the date that I will not be able to file a new clain if this goes bad. How does the new evidence help and what should I do? they have me by the B**&'s Thanks for advice support and your service Semper fi