Hospitalized Again....diagnosis For Conversion Disorder

[Cherie33]

Hi All,

I have been having a hard time dealing with my disabilities, now yet another symptom. I began having pseudo-seizures again and this time it lead to left side paralysis. I was sent to the emergency room by my VA Primary Care Doctor (from his office). I spent three days in the hospital and was diagnosed with "Conversion Disorder". I'm sure most of you are aware that I am already 70% + IU. However, I am not P & T. My question is: Should I write to the VA and let them know about this and ask for P & T? Or do I need an IMO?

Thanks,

Cherie33

[Wings]

Well Wings,

I am 50% Major Depressive Disorder with Pyschotic Features and 30% Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) + Individual Unemployability. (70% + IU)

Cherie33

Well then Cherie, that's helps a lot! Since you are already SC for Psychosis, then you can file for a rating increase in your SC mental disorder (evidenced by the recent hospitalization, with additional diagnosis of conversion disorder superimposed upon the SC depression and psychotic features); or write a Claim for P&T and submit it with a doctor's statement that "it is as likely as not" the disability will continue unabated for the rest of your life. You can quote me on the necessity for the "as likely as not standard", but the MD will have to clearly state (in his own words) you ain't gonna get' no better! Or, you can claim P&T yourself, but they'll prolly say you are not qualified to diagnose yourself. It's your claim, what do you want to do? Tell us, and we'll help you if it's supported by the regualtions. ~Wings

Ps. It would help to know how long you have been service-connected, and how old you are for P&T purposes.

[Cherie33]

Hey Wings,

I have been disabled since 1994 and I am 35 years old.

Cherie33

[Wings]

Hey Wings,

I have been disabled since 1994 and I am 35 years old.

Cherie33

Fifteen years at the same schedular rating? TDIU for 15 years as well?

I would want 100% Schedular if I could get it, but I'm not even going to claim 100% for a Mental Disorder. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't, especially where you are having hospitaizations with severe psychotic manifestations. It's your Claim, what do you want to do? Do you have a medical doctor that is supportive of your health, and your veteran status? You can submit a Claim for P&T status under TDIU. There's a few additional benefits to having P&T. ~Wings

Your service-connection is "protected" from "severence" at the 10 year mark,

38 CFR 3.957

[carlie]

Hey Wings,

I have been disabled since 1994 and I am 35 years old.

Cherie33

Cherie,

How long have you been 100 % SC'd or TDIU by VA.

carlie

[Cherie33]

Hey Carlie & Wings,

I have been 70% + TDIU effective June 2007. I have been 50% Major Depressive Disorder - effective Dec. 9, 1997. I have been 30% IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) effective Feb. 2, 2006

Wings, you keep asking me what do I want to do with my claim...I want to receive Permanent & Total (in addition to my 70% + IU). And I wanted to know if the diagnosis of "Conversion Disorder" would be enough to get it and if so, what do I need to say to the VA to prove it...

When I was awarded IU, the VA said that I would be given another exam on or around April 2010 and at that time P & T would be considered, but I didn't want to wait that long. I want to be able to receive the extra benefits that come with being P & T.

Thanks,

Cherie33

[Wings]

Hey Carlie & Wings,

I have been 70% + TDIU effective June 2007. I have been 50% Major Depressive Disorder - effective Dec. 9, 1997. I have been 30% IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) effective Feb. 2, 2006

Wings, you keep asking me what do I want to do with my claim...I want to receive Permanent & Total (in addition to my 70% + IU). And I wanted to know if the diagnosis of "Conversion Disorder" would be enough to get it and if so, what do I need to say to the VA to prove it...

When I was awarded IU, the VA said that I would be given another exam on or around April 2010 and at that time P & T would be considered, but I didn't want to wait that long. I want to be able to receive the extra benefits that come with being P & T.

Thanks,

Cherie33

Cherie, When you said you'd been disabled since 1994, I thought you meant

service-connected. As slow as things have been at the VA, even if you filed a Claim today, by the time the RO adjudicated the claim, and scheduled you for a C&P, it would be the year 2010! That's only 8 months away.

You are still young, and your SC is fairly recent. I don't know how long you've been unemployed, but if it's only been a few years, the VA is probably going to keep you on the radar for awhile longer, until your SC disability remains static, unchanged, or worse. Maybe 5 years. If your doctor would make a statement in support of an increased rating for your medical condition, then you might see a higher schedular rating.

It would not hurt to file a Claim, submit new evidence of your recent hospitalization and ask for P&T. That might get you a C&P quicker. I'm only theorizing here, but if you want me to post some regulations, I can do that.

Anybody else want to opine??? ~Wings