Berta & Others...i Got The Drs Note From The Va Clinic

[Cherie33]

Ok Berta,

Here is what my dr. wrote in my record.

quote "****I strongly feel that, more likely than not, this pt is unemployable (totally + permanently) due to her psychiatric condition which has only worsen in time, + I suspect her chronic psychotic condition will be re-diagnosed from major depression with psychotic features to schizoaffective disorder****" unquote.

So, what do you think? I will submit this along with the letter that I received from the Vocah Rehab...Will I still need a C & P exam?

Thanks,

Cherie33

Edited September 18, 2007 by Cherie33

[Berta]

as long as the psychiatric condition the doctor means is what you get SC for now- that should be fine-

Did the doctor make a nexus statement to your service?

I am a little surprised at the new diagnosis suggested-

I hope that part does not hinder the claim- did the doctor give a full complete medical rationale for his opinion?

[Berta]

As long as the psychiatric condition the doctor means is what you get SC for now- that should be fine

I am a little surprised at the new diagnosis raised in the opinion and hope this doesn't hurt the TDIU claim but it really shouldn't.I just hope VA understands that part.

[Pete53]

Should work but I would follow up to get a perm diagnosis.

[Cherie33]

as long as the psychiatric condition the doctor means is what you get SC for now- that should be fine-

Did the doctor make a nexus statement to your service?

I am a little surprised at the new diagnosis suggested-

I hope that part does not hinder the claim- did the doctor give a full complete medical rationale for his opinion?

Yes, that is what I am SC for now. Now back when I was trying to get an increase for major depression, he wrote another letter, and mentioned the schizoaffective disorder. Allow me to quote: "I feel that she is deserving of an increased SC rating for >50% as I suspect she has developed a chronic psychotic process independent of her depression, more consistent with schizoaffective disorder, and will probably never be able to work again. unquote. He wrote this letter on Oct 06.

Now, he only said what I wrote. He didn't elaborate on it. What do you mean ny nexus statement?

Cherie33

[Jay Johnson]

It's all lumped under the same category, so as long as you are already rated for major depression you should be fine (nexus isn't an issue there).

However, that is a fairly lackluster evaluation from a medical standpoint and you may need a more detailed write-up in order to further develop the claim for an increase. A GAF + full eval + symptomology + prognosis would help...in other words, make him/her elaborate on the eval in better detail and you'll be fine. Also, make sure he clarifies the schizo stuff.....just saying "I think it may lead to a schizo diagnosis" will not fly imo; he is the doctor and he should definitively diagnose you one way or another.

[cloudcroft]

I agree with Jay: It doesn't matter what the diagnosis is for rating purposes when it comes to mental disabilities. IIRC, they all have the same etiology: The mind, and so they -- if you have multiple mental issues -- can't be rated separately...that would be pyramiding.

Unlike physical disabilities, all the mental disabilities are "lumped together" and only the most disabling mental diagnosis is stated along with the % given for it.

For TREATMENT, however, of course it matters because you need to be treated for exactly what you have, not for something you do not have. But for RATING purposes, vets should not be too concerned about what they are rated FOR re: their mental disability (disabilities).

Although I think the VA should be more precise in this -- assign the proper mental diagnosis right up front -- they aren't so that's just how it's done presently. And to be honest, with two (or more) shrinks often giving two different diagnoses of the same veteran, maybe it's just not possible to be 100% accurate anyway. Far from it.

In fact, we all know pinpoint accuracy really isn't possible when it comes to psychiatry.

-- John D.

Edited September 19, 2007 by cloudcroft