hypertension Mental Disability

[labonte1000]

Hi everyone,

I'm just wondering if I could get some advice here. I'm currenlty 20% disabled, 10 for hypertension and 10 for generlized anxiety disorder.

Anyways I got out of Service in September of 2006 and filed a cliam for anxiety and hypertension, in may I received the letter of rating for 20%, But since I got out of service my panic attacks and anxiety symptoms have increased, and It really hard to look for a job that I can do. Right now its getting hard for me to leave the house, let alone work due to panic/anxiety. I also have ed due to the anxiety/panic. Can that be added on to my anxiety claim?

Just wondering if I'm doing this right, I hired a Va lawyer to help me try to increase my Va letter from 20%. I just feel like I can't do any of the jobs out there due to my public anxiety/panic. I don't have any paperwork on it besides whats in my military record. Will that work? I just don't want to go on any medication, I was already there and took pills in the military for a while and they only made things worse. Will I get to be reseen by a Va doctor for my claim to show them all my present problems. Any info would help, thanks everyone. I just feel at this time my rating for anxiety should be more than 10%

[labonte1000]

Yeah i know about the SS credits, the problem is I'm young, I just turned 26. I recently got paper work in from the SSA and it said if I were to become disabled at this time my monthly benefits would be $900 a month. Now if I were to become disabled with the SSA, is that what I would get lets say 20 years down the road, if you are totally disabled the same amount $900? Wil it only go up when cost of living goes up. How do they expect anyone to live off $900 a month being disabled? I think before I can file a claim I have to be seen by a mental health professional, thats my problem, is i'm embarressed about my anxiety/panic, so I don't have anything documented/medical paper work besides whats in my military record, which isn't alot since it happened within my last year or so in the military. next week I'll have to make an appointment to be seen. please advice

[Cherie33]

Yeah i know about the SS credits, the problem is I'm young, I just turned 26. I recently got paper work in from the SSA and it said if I were to become disabled at this time my monthly benefits would be $900 a month. Now if I were to become disabled with the SSA, is that what I would get lets say 20 years down the road, if you are totally disabled the same amount $900? Wil it only go up when cost of living goes up. How do they expect anyone to live off $900 a month being disabled? I think before I can file a claim I have to be seen by a mental health professional, thats my problem, is i'm embarressed about my anxiety/panic, so I don't have anything documented/medical paper work besides whats in my military record, which isn't alot since it happened within my last year or so in the military. next week I'll have to make an appointment to be seen. please advice

I know exactly what you are going through..I was discharged in 1994 and my first rating wa at 10% for a Personality Disorder. And just like Berta said, the VA loves paperwork. Any issues you have, must be documented. And about the medication, if you aren't on any, the VA won't see you as more then 10%. At least that is the impression I got from them. Yes, make the appointment and make sure you tell the dr. everything about how you feel and your disabilities. The dr. will document that in your medical record a well as what course of treatment he/she will put you on, all of this info can help substantiate your claim.

Now about the SS, I don't know too much about that, I'm going through that process now. I wish you luck and hope that you get your increased service connection.

Cherie33

[labonte1000]

Hi how long Cherie did it take you to get upgraded fro 10% to 70%? I recently got a lawyer, so now I have to set up an appointment. Did the VA set up more eval appts, like the first time around, for you after you sent them your notice of disagreement? Do you feel you got the right rating this time at 70%. Are you getting unemployability/IU i think is the abbrev.

I know exactly what you are going through..I was discharged in 1994 and my first rating wa at 10% for a Personality Disorder. And just like Berta said, the VA loves paperwork. Any issues you have, must be documented. And about the medication, if you aren't on any, the VA won't see you as more then 10%. At least that is the impression I got from them. Yes, make the appointment and make sure you tell the dr. everything about how you feel and your disabilities. The dr. will document that in your medical record a well as what course of treatment he/she will put you on, all of this info can help substantiate your claim.

Now about the SS, I don't know too much about that, I'm going through that process now. I wish you luck and hope that you get your increased service connection.

Cherie33

[carlie]

Cherie,

How did VA justify 10% SC for Personality Disorder? Did you have a brain injury that

superimposed the Personality Disorder?

Also, I DO NOT AGREE with your impression that if your not on meds VA will not see

you as more than 10%. This IS NOT in line with 38 CFR Part 4 - Schedule for Rating

Disabilities.

jmho,

carlie

Edited November 22, 2007 by carlie

[cowgirl]

Agrees with Carlie re medicine and % ratings, see CFR 38. I can see that even here on the forum individuals use a 'familiar' term to describe SC. Sure, I have seen personality disorder ratings at 10% also but with other terms attached that are sensitive, hence the term 'personality disorder' says enough just now.

Cherie; am glad that your case looks good, hang in there!

LaBonte, ask around for a recommended counselor. I checked with family doctor, was going to check with my minister. Word of mouth is fair game when it comes to limited income and focused results needed.

Best to ya,cg

[carlie]

Hey Cowgirl,

Can you refer me to places you see Personality Disorder SC'd at 10 %.

Appreciate it.

carlie