ptsd Getting The Shaft On C&p

[souldeliverer]

PLEASE HELP ME!!!

I am an Iraq veteran rated 100% PTSD, 30% migraines, 10% low back, 10% shoulder, 10% tinnitus, 10% L leg, 10% R leg. I recieved a call today from the regional office that they have reviewed my claim and decided I must be better, and are reducing me to a grand total of 90%!!!

First of all, I am not better. Secondly, they have me on hydrocodone, xanax, risperdone, lamictal, celexa, ambien, amitriptaline, motrin, and had me on morphine, but I stopped taking it due to side effects. I STILL have PTSD, and am ready to go ballistic on these people at the regional office.

Question: What chance do I have of winning my appeal/board meeting? I have not been an inpatient for like a year because I get worse when I go to the hospital and get locked up.

Please help. I just had a baby girl, and cannot live without my full benefits. I tried going back to work a couple years ago and failed miserably.

[Berta]

Veteran-welcome to our world- many here have been through this crap-

"The lady told me yesterday that the paperwork is in the mail for me to file disagreement and ask for a hearing" Yes ask for the Hearing and prepare the NOD right away.

The VA must produce significant evidence that you have gotten better-

medical evidence-

you said you havent worked in years-have you applied for SSA? if not and you meet the work requirements (at their site-I think it is required to have worked within five years of applying but am not sure-)file for SSA before the VA changes any award .

"First of all, I am not better. Secondly, they have me on hydrocodone, xanax, risperdone, lamictal, celexa, ambien, amitriptaline, motrin, and had me on morphine, but I stopped taking it due to side effects"

The 100% you have now should help you get SSA.

I assume you on still on all of these except for the morphine?

what is specifically for the PTSD?

Do your migraines raise to a level of 70% in the rating schedule?

If so- go to the hearing and ask them for SMC as well as full continuous 100% at P & T.

The have to give you a complete medical rationale for any proposed reduction- they did this to my husband many years ago-

in 1988-20 years ago-

The rationale they used was so absurd that I got their idea dropped with the NOD I prepared for him- no evidence -just the NOD-

these days I think vets are better off asking for the hearing too-

It is crap but you have to react to their letter quickly-in 30 days I think-forget-

you vet rep should be at the hearing with you.

Honestly I think if a vet doesnt have PTSD before they ever get into the claims system, the VA will make sure they have PTSD before they even get out of the claims system due to dealing with the VA itself.

[Berta]

http://www.medicinenet.com/risperidone-oral/article.htm

If the risperidone is for the PTSD I wonder if this is the right med they are giving you.

I am not a doctor-but I dont see the reason for you getting this psychoptrpic med from VA- for PTSD. ???

Were you exposed to and/or injured by any IEDs or explosions in Iraq (even a concussion that was mild)and did the VA rule out TBI?

[souldeliverer]

Veteran-welcome to our world- many here have been through this crap-

"The lady told me yesterday that the paperwork is in the mail for me to file disagreement and ask for a hearing" Yes ask for the Hearing and prepare the NOD right away.

The VA must produce significant evidence that you have gotten better-

medical evidence-

you said you havent worked in years-have you applied for SSA? if not and you meet the work requirements (at their site-I think it is required to have worked within five years of applying but am not sure-)file for SSA before the VA changes any award .

"First of all, I am not better. Secondly, they have me on hydrocodone, xanax, risperdone, lamictal, celexa, ambien, amitriptaline, motrin, and had me on morphine, but I stopped taking it due to side effects"

The 100% you have now should help you get SSA.

I assume you on still on all of these except for the morphine?

what is specifically for the PTSD?

Do your migraines raise to a level of 70% in the rating schedule?

If so- go to the hearing and ask them for SMC as well as full continuous 100% at P & T.

The have to give you a complete medical rationale for any proposed reduction- they did this to my husband many years ago-

in 1988-20 years ago-

The rationale they used was so absurd that I got their idea dropped with the NOD I prepared for him- no evidence -just the NOD-

these days I think vets are better off asking for the hearing too-

It is crap but you have to react to their letter quickly-in 30 days I think-forget-

you vet rep should be at the hearing with you.

Honestly I think if a vet doesnt have PTSD before they ever get into the claims system, the VA will make sure they have PTSD before they even get out of the claims system due to dealing with the VA itself.

Thank you for your response. Yes, I am recieving SSD (disability). I don't know if that is the same as SSA?

Yes, I am still on everything but the morphine. It is all for PTSD with exception of amitrptyline, hydrocodone, and motrin. What are your thoughts on risperidone?

My migraines are only 30%, but the lady from regional office told me they are thinking of scheduling me for another C&P for that too!!! Are they just trying to take my benefits away?

[souldeliverer]

http://www.medicinenet.com/risperidone-oral/article.htm

If the risperidone is for the PTSD I wonder if this is the right med they are giving you.

I am not a doctor-but I dont see the reason for you getting this psychoptrpic med from VA- for PTSD. ???

Were you exposed to and/or injured by any IEDs or explosions in Iraq (even a concussion that was mild)and did the VA rule out TBI?

I will check out the info on risperidone. Thank you.

I was around a lot of explosions. They just did a work up for TBI on me, and said I have the signs and symptoms, but I don't know if that is enough to get service-connected for it or not???

[Berta]

You bet TBI is service connectable-if the residuals are ratable-

You stated exactly the logic that makes their attempt look ridiculous-

"The lady on the phone said the reason they are proposing to reduce my benefits is because on that C&P, there is a question asking if I suffer from full occupational impairment. He checked no. The next question was, do PTSD signs and symptoms result in deficiencies in the following areas (judgement, thinking, family relations, work, mood, or school)? And he said yes to all! How in the hell can I be impaired in all of those ways, yet be fit to work"

unfortunately logic doesnt always work with the VA but I used it to stop their attempt to lower my husband's comp.

This is a deficientcy in the C & P exam- the doc has to support his "No" answer- do you have a copy of the actual report yet?

You can get a copy via the Records Access Officer.

Maybe the doc even checked off Yes but some RO 90 day wonder thought it said No.

[Berta]

I dont get it- the celexa is usually prescribed for depression

and Xanax for panic attacks and anxiety

Can you afford a private Independent Medical opinion?

It would probably put the screws to them real good and even get you the P & T so that the family would have CHAMPVA.

And it would also reveal if these are the best meds for you- I am not a doctor- so what do I know-

but sometimes I see stuff that seems odd.

It is just my own VA ola Paranoia- I proved the VA killed my husband and part of that award was due to proof of wrong meds they gave him-

If the morphine was for the 10% leg and shoulder-that seems strong for 10% disabilities doesnt it?

Have you checked the rating schedules to those ratings to see if they should be higher ?

Again-I am no doctor- but it pays for a vet to check as much info as they can on any meds the VA gives them.