1st Psych Visit At V.a.

[smilen66]

Good Morning All,

My private Psych moved away a couple of months ago. He suggested I go to V.A., because visits were too costly ($40.00). Long story short, I had my 1st visit last week. I received a copy of mr(this week) and I do not understand the medical jargon, please help if you can.

Axis I: Mood d/o sec to GMC, Cognitive d/o NOS

Axis II; def

Axis III: s/p CVA wR sided weakness. chr pain (I understand this line)

Axis IV: Mod-prim support, sig limitation in functioning

AXIS V: 50%

By the way, I did not file a claim for this because I don't think it is sc.

Thank you in advance for your input and have a great day!

Lenora

[smilen66]

Okay from 2:50 until now or maybe a couple glasses wine later , I've been thinking of the submitted wonderful hypothetical yet true story.

To say the least I enjoyed the hypothetical story, being in my formal life a "retired reading teacher". There was a perfect beginning, middle, and inferred ending. Missing in your hypothetical story were many details that could only come from me.

True story in this is "Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, there was a US veteran.

This veteran had suffered an injury, oh, say 40 years ago.

He had documentation of this injury, both in his service medical records, and after discharge.

He turned in a claim for this orthopaedic injury, and another claim for Major Depressive Disorder secondary to the pain that he had suffered for 30 years with the orthopaedic injury".

Now for the details of the hypothethical yet true story:

1. I can remember year to year (unable to connect the dots back to service), going to my private doctor for either the neck , shoulder, back and hips.

2. The pain was sometimes intolerable especially with the shoulder and back. My neck discomfort I learned to live with.

3. I continued to work as much as possible for 24 years after service as a classroom teacher (9 years), then reading teacher and assistant principal. It was youth, the birth of my own child (now 27) and other people's children that kept me going psychologically during that time frame.

4. I can remember seeing a counselor or psychologist for general life and anxiety issues off and on.

5. Then at the age of 50, I had a stroke primarily because I had high blood pressure and I spent the last 2 years of my career working under a great deal of stress.

6. The only mention of pain to a psychiatrist was made after the stroke. The stroke affected my right side and my injury was on the right side. The stroke exacerbated the pain from the injury.

7. Now, I spend a lot of time resting (on lots of meds), reading and very light house work. Infact, by the time I get up take meds, shower, do 1 or 2 things around the house, feed pet, maybe go to Dr. appt., and eat, it's almost time to retire.

Not a pretty story and I know of worst stories from reading post on the site. I have only one question...where do I go from here?

Thanks for a wonderful story and comments!

Warmly,

Lenora

[LarryJ]

Well, Lenora, as I said, IF it were me, I'd file a claim for Major Depression (MDD) due to the pain suffered from my orthodpaedic disability.

You certainly have such a diagnosis.

Axis I: Mood d/o sec to GMC, Cognitive d/o NOS

Axis II; def

Axis III: s/p CVA wR sided weakness. chr pain (I understand this line)

Axis IV: Mod-prim support, sig limitation in functioning

AXIS V: 50%Actually 50% is not what was meant here, but, instead, a GAF (Global Assesment of Functioning or something like that) score of 50.

A GAF of 50 along with your chronic pain and Mood Disorder (Major Depression, in your case), with significant limitation in functioning, would, in most cases, put you in place for a disability award of 50% (or, possibly, 70%, according to the mood of the VA rater).

Most of the "work" has been done to facilitate your filing of this claim. This psych profile has all the indications to "back" such a filing.

IF IT WAS ME! You do as you think best.

[LarryJ]

I'd also get online and file for Social Security Disability.

If it was me.

All this stuff can be filed for, online. The VA stuff and the Social Security stuff.

I know what it is like to have to engage your mind and body to file for all this, but, it is much easier to do now than it was several years ago. And, if you are on the meds that I am on, then you certainly deserve considering the Social Security, also, because I know that I couldn't work taking the meds that have been prescribed for me (hell, I'd be a danger to myself and everyone around me, DRIVING to work, if I made it that far.

[smilen66]

I'd also get online and file for Social Security Disability.

If it was me.

All this stuff can be filed for, online. The VA stuff and the Social Security stuff.

I know what it is like to have to engage your mind and body to file for all this, but, it is much easier to do now than it was several years ago. And, if you are on the meds that I am on, then you certainly deserve considering the Social Security, also, because I know that I couldn't work taking the meds that have been prescribed for me (hell, I'd be a danger to myself and everyone around me, DRIVING to work, if I made it that far.

Larry,

I am currently receiving Social Security Disability as well as State Disability for the stroke. You're right driving while on lots of meds can be a chore. The state of N.C. won't allow me to drive on the interstate because of anxiety and I only drive during non-peak hours because of the meds.

[smilen66]

Well, Lenora, as I said, IF it were me, I'd file a claim for Major Depression (MDD) due to the pain suffered from my orthodpaedic disability.

You certainly have such a diagnosis.

Axis I: Mood d/o sec to GMC, Cognitive d/o NOS

Axis II; def

Axis III: s/p CVA wR sided weakness. chr pain (I understand this line)

Axis IV: Mod-prim support, sig limitation in functioning

AXIS V: 50%Actually 50% is not what was meant here, but, instead, a GAF (Global Assesment of Functioning or something like that) score of 50.

A GAF of 50 along with your chronic pain and Mood Disorder (Major Depression, in your case), with significant limitation in functioning, would, in most cases, put you in place for a disability award of 50% (or, possibly, 70%, according to the mood of the VA rater).

Most of the "work" has been done to facilitate your filing of this claim. This psych profile has all the indications to "back" such a filing.

IF IT WAS ME! You do as you think best.

Questions:

Since, I've already filed claim and it is the raters office, should I wait to hear from VARO before submitting another claim?

Do I need evidence of talking to a psych over the years for orthopedic problems, when I file the new claim?

Thank you for your time!

Lenora

[LarryJ]

Questions:

Since, I've already filed claim and it is the raters office, should I wait to hear from VARO before submitting another claim?

Do I need evidence of talking to a psych over the years for orthopedic problems, when I file the new claim?

Thank you for your time!

Lenora

1. If it is, truly, at the raters desk, then I'd wait, say 3 - 4 weeks and see what the outcome is.

2. No.