Depression Secondary To Tinnitus C&p

[mnjarhead44]

Waiting since 8/30 for a answer to claim, if you have some insight on the following C&P examiners medical opinion: Is vet's depression due to or caused by his service-connected tinnitus?

Depression was at least as lakely as not (50/50 probability) aggrivated by vet's service-connected for tinnitus.

Rational for opionion given: Vet has a hx of inconsistencies in his self-report, as noted by several VA psychologists. The vet did comment to this examiner about how tinnitus has affected his concentration and ability to focus, as well as his mood (80%). This examiner has only the vet's self-report to make a determination of the degree to whigh his tinnitus affects his mood. Needles to say, it is a very subjective determination. Vet's primary issue appears to be that of his paranoid personality traits and delusional thought process. His deprssion, while not due to or caused by his service-connected tinnitus, may be aggravated perhaps by 10-15% (at most) by his tinnitus. As tinnitus is a chronic condition, the aggravation of depression would appear to be permanent. Again this is a very subjective opionion, based entirely on vet's self-report, and taking into consideration personality and cognitive issues which render the vet a less than reliable historian.

[carlie]

mnjarhead44,

Welcome.

If you question is do other's feel this information and opinion will

help get a claim granted for Depression secondary to Service

Connected Tinnitus.

My answer is, this medical opinion will not in anyway help get

the claim in question granted, it does quite the opposite.

jmho,

carlie

[mnjarhead44]

mnjarhead44,

Welcome.

If you question is do other's feel this information and opinion will

help get a claim granted for Depression secondary to Service

Connected Tinnitus.

My answer is, this medical opinion will not in anyway help get

the claim in question granted, it does quite the opposite

jmho,

carlie

Thanks carlie,

The opinion did have the "least as likely as not" part, but then it does go the other way, I just wonder why its taking them almost 2 months from the c&p to tell me that news!

[carlie]

mnjar,

2 months would be a blessing to most -- the VA moves

very sssssllllllloooooooooowwwwwwwlllllllyyyyyyyyy.

carlie

[mnjarhead44]

mnjar,

2 months would be a blessing to most -- the VA moves

very sssssllllllloooooooooowwwwwwwlllllllyyyyyyyyy.

carlie

Again, I am just wondering about that "least as likely as not aggravated by" part. In reading the posts here that is a statment that must be in c&p.

So now is it the rater who makes the determination that its less than 50/50?

[George Patton]

The physician's medical opinion is leading me to conclude that your depression is not associated/aggravated with/by tinnitus. The RVSR is less likely to grant aggravation because of the following: 1)the medical examiner noted you have a history of inconsistencies in self-report, as noted by several VA psychologists--that statement is huge; 2)the physician stated that your primary issue appears to be that of paranoid personality traits and delusional thought process--this is another important statement. (The physician is primarily stating that it is paranoia and delusional thought processes that is causing your problems--almost dismissing the depression); 3) the physician writes that your depression "may" be aggravated by 10-15% (at most) by tinnitus. A RVSR can do very little with "may." That is really not an opinion; 4) the medical examiner concludes by noting this is a very "subjective" opinion, based entirely on the veterans self-report, and taking into consideration personality and cognitive issues which render the veteran a less than reliable historian.

A rating specialist, I believe, will be hard pressed to grant benefits for depression aggravated by tinnitus. However, it can happen.

[mnjarhead44]

Partly good news, rated 30%

Also part of the claim was for the hearing loss that was denied previously It was denied because of slight hearing loss before service and in the rating the rater used levels from my exit physical as the level and stated it was due to natural progression My letter from the audiologist stating that he seen the error and that it should be looked at again was not new or raise issue to that effect, so the decision stands

Maybe a hearing claim is the most hardest thing to claim even with a doctor statement and va records of statement that a hearing aid will not work

Doctor tells me to file again and claim chochlear damage which would be more in line with the medical records

Anyway I can save money and keep my cheap stereo system, as I never be able to hear in stereo!