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

[Josephine]

Paul,

I figure I will get used to the 100% P&T and then think and go from

there.

I did contact Dr. Crowley the Forensic Psychiatrist with all the

credentials and he is willing to step back in.

I did notice, even though, I mailed a copy of his independent medical

opinion for the TDIU, they did not list it.

I will make a decision soon.

Thanks,

Betty

[Berta]

Sometimes we just have to put down the weapons Josephine-

but you can still pick them up again- at some point-hopefully within the year of the NOD time frame-

When I succeeded in my past claims- I felt the exhaustion of it all-

during the battle I always had the energy to go forward-when it was over I felt exhausted and depressed-

I would still wake up thinking I was on the paper battlefield for weeks after the awards came.

You have the same feelings too I believe-of the exhaustion of it all- it is awful to even think that the VA might again control your time and emotions-

bu it is a lot easier to continue the fight when we have award letters already- shows we were right in the past and can prevail again.

You have a lot to offer us here- and what happened to you should sure give someone out there the stamina to continue their fight-

You even made such beautiful quilts during it all- I would have been reduced to basket weaving in a funny farm if I had gone thru what you did-and I probably would have forgotten to weave the baskets with any bottoms in them -

You are making a good decision for now-

and please stay with us-we need you-you are a true Inspiration!!!!

[Josephine]

Berta,

Thanks so much, for I am trully totally exhausted.

I still laugh at the dumb rating, where the rater states in the 2005

C&P exam, " my spouse said so and so.

They didn't have enough sense to see that I had filed a formal

complaint that those two would not allow him to be in that room.

So much for their ignorance.

They are trying to make me the same, and I don't want them to

succeed.

Always,

Betty