tdiu C&p Opinion For Lack Of Employment Since 1983

[Josephine]

August 20, 2008 C&P for Increase and TDIU

The veteran has not worked since the last exam.

She has not worked since 1983, and brings in a Social Security earnings statement detailing no income at all for many, many years.

This examiner discussed with her reasons for her lack of employment over the years.

She reports she used to work at a hospital, at a nursing home, stocking shelves at a store and on the cash registers.

The veteran reported that she had significant anxiety symptoms which involved excessive perspiration, especially on her hands.

She reported that when trying to take blood pressures, her hands

would be so wet, they would slide off the bulb that she had to squeeze.

If she touched paper, she reports the ink would smear. She had become

more intensely anxious when dealing with other people and reported she would leave " puddles" of moisture on the cash register keys.

In addition, she reported other more intense anxiety symptoms such as increased heartbeat, shortness of breath, intense anxiety, and lightheadedness.

She reports that on the way to work at a nursing home one time, she had to pull over and sit on the side of the road because her anxiety got to the point where it was inducing vomiting.

This veteran today discusses these symptoms in a rather dramatic

fashion and becomes tearful when describing them.

The veteran reports that she has not driven a car in many, many years, again due to her intense anxiety, feeling scared and feeling that she "can't think straight". when she is that nervous.

The veteran has been married for 43 years. She reports that they get along o.k. that she is often irritable, though her husband is supportive. She has two daughters and eight grandchildren.

And reports a good relationship with them and they and the husband

will help her out by driving her places. The veteran reports

that she has little in the way of close friendships, she is not

comfortable socializing. She does not like to go out to other people's homes. She reports that she does not go out even to restaurants out in the public, only about once a year.

She is highly anxious when out in the public, especially with

with a lot of people. She will only occasionally go out to a small

local store and reports her husband must do most of the grocery

shopping. She does have some acquaintances that she talks to on the

phone about once a month.

The veteran reports that some of her anxiety in public has to

do with her perception that others are noticing her own anxiety,

particularly her sweaty hands, and also she feels extremely

inadequate and feeling not as good as others and that she does not

fit in or have anything in common with people.

She spends her time mostly around the house, watering the plants,

around the yard, watching television, doing household chores.

She enjoys collecting dolls, which she often gets by looking

on the computer ( ebay). She reports she cannot go to doll shows

because of her anxiety. She reports that she is able to get out

to some yard sells at times, as these are more out in the open.

She denies legal problems.

Ingregrated Summary and Conclusion:

As noted above, this veteran continues to have severe problems with anxiety.

The exam request form ask about issues related to employability and specifically ask how it impacts about physical and sedentary employment potential.

The employability issue regarding sedentary versus physical seems irrevelant, as this women's severe anxiety seems to be severe enough that it would prohibit most employment.

Betty

[cowgirl]

Betty, is this what the exam rater wrote or your words for the NOD?

Hope you dont mind my questions.

Should you add medical diagnosis at the beginning?

Should you add date, names (VA compensation doctor?) and place of that exam. Others?

Should you mention current treatment appointments needed?

Should you place a job title on the jobs?

Should you describe a day in your life today?

Should you describe limited job skills?

Should you add specific documents listed as attachements to back up your NOD? (ssa statement, va or private diagnosis, any vocational evaluation,etc)?

I dont know answers, if the statement is yours or the docs, but think facts (dates/names/places/etc) may help clarify.

wishin the best for ya,

Cg

[Josephine]

cowgirl,

This are the exact words from my the doctor who did my C&P

August 20, 2008.

I am trying to figure out if the doctor is saying that I was or

was not employable from 1983 to now.

To me, I sure couldn't work in 1983 to date, but is it saying

it also.

Thanks,

Betty

Edited September 30, 2008 by Josephine

[cowgirl]

Betty, not medical here, if this is the C&P it just needs to meet the IU criteria. Gotta match the 'dots' now.

My earlier question 'is this a Dr or personal prepared statement?, cause dates and diagnosis's arent specified. But if this is a VA report, I would hope CFile, smrs, etc can support anything and everything said here. That'd be good.

Does the exam and conclusion statement describe your sc issues and facts? or do you have more support data to offer for your IU request?

I sure hope that 'irrelevant' for most employment conclusion fits the VAs description for IU (p&t?)!

Good thoughts for you!

Cg

cowgirl,

This are the exact words from my the doctor who did my C&P

August 20, 2008.

I am trying to figure out if the doctor is saying that I was or

was not employable from 1983 to now.

To me, I sure couldn't work in 1983 to date, but is it saying

it also.

Thanks,

Betty

[Josephine]

Cowgirl,

The VA did award me 100% P&T effective the date of this

examination effective August 20, 2008.

They awarded me 100% unemployability April 16, 2005- September 2008.

They were gracious to pay me the retro for the three years and a

few months.

Now, I have to decide, If I want to let them stand at the award

of 10% for the years of 1992 - 1997 and then it picks up again

at 50% for 1997- 2005.

What has me stumped it is the earlier years that my condition was

more severe, if that is possible.

Yes, everything this doctor is quoting he is getting directly

from my post military medical treatment records from 1965 to date.

GAF - 40

Diagnosis: Anxiety disorder not otherwise specified with depressed

mood.

When I filed for benefits the VA kept denying me because they

did not acquire my military mental records and when I acquired them

all claims were re-opened and the BVA Judge ordered me to be paid

back to 1992.

Do I file a NOD on the earlier years, to prove

that I was 100% P&T in 1983 also, as I was never given a

C&P at the time of each of my filings for chronic anxiety.

Thanks,

Betty

Edited September 30, 2008 by Josephine

[cowgirl]

Do I file a NOD on the earlier years, to prove

that I was 100% P&T in 1983 also, as I was never given a

C&P at the time of each of my filings for chronic anxiety.

Good question - you could let the compensation ratings you now have stand for now.

Do you know if those ratings are 'protected'? Think I'd be concerned bout stirrin the pot with a NOD after shard earned ratings.

Yes, everything this doctor is quoting he is getting directly

from my post military medical treatment records from 1965 to date

Good question - does the doctor state such in the c&p? That'd help. Support,nexus,IMO,diagnosis, all have to be there if so.

Thinkin the best for ya.

Cg

Edited October 1, 2008 by cowgirl

[Josephine]

Do you know if those ratings are 'protected'? Think I'd be concerned bout stirrin the pot with a NOD after shard earned ratings.

Cg,

How can you tell if the rating are " Protected"?

Not sure and where do you look?

Is it somewhere on the ratings.

What does P&T mean?

Thanks,

Betty