Lariam

[sawgunner]

I was given this drug with another pill that was supposed to "counter" the effects of Lariam back in 2003 for my deployment.

Question....

How important is this drug in depression cases with the VA in terms of evidence?

I also understand that chronic pain is linked to depression in as far as VA claims go..... Is this correct? I need a depression rating to get a rating for pain?

I am a police officer and honestly.... I have been affraid of pursuing a depression rating out of fear of loosing my job or my gun rights... I have made some arrests in my time and I don't want to have to encounter those guys in the future without my iron.

One thing I can tell you about the drug.. It gave me SEVERE headaches...

[Berta]

http://www4.va.gov/vetapp09/files1/0901727.txt

This veteran had her migraines service connected to Larium.

The BVA rejected her other conditons due to Larium but I hope she appealed that.

If you google Larium you will see some of the serious side affects Larium has as well as the controversy over it's use by the military.

I think you would haverto prove that although (I assume) you dont still take this med-there would have to be a continuity of symptoms and effects causing a ratable disability since you took it-that are medically linked to it.

There might be more claims for Larium at the BVA if you search there.

"I also understand that chronic pain is linked to depression in as far as VA claims go..... Is this correct? I need a depression rating to get a rating for pain?"

A claim for chronic pain has to have a nexus to a disability that causes the chronic pain.

Some vets do have a SC rating for depression caused by pain due to a service connected injury or event that caused a disability that also causes pain.

The depression has to be found as "secondary" to the SC disability and the pain it (the initial SC) causes and the vet has to show pain meds or pain management and treatment that support the pain factor as well as have clear medical evidence of the nexus between their SC and the depression.

I believe this is the De Luca factor-others will chime in here.

I also understand that chronic pain is linked to depression in as far as VA claims go..... Is this correct? I need a depression rating to get a rating for pain?

[Berta]

De Luca factor:

"Although section 4.40 does not

require a separate rating for pain, it does promulgate guidance for

determining ratings under other diagnostic codes assessing musculoskeletal

function. See generally 38 C.F.R. 4.71(a) (1996). The fact that a

specific rating for pain is not required by section 4.40 does not relieve

the BVA from its obligation to provide a statement of reasons or bases

pertaining to that regulation. See DeLuca v. Brown, 8 Vet.App. 202, 207 (

1995)."

[john999]

I think what Berta is saying is you need some SC injury or illness that causes chronic pain. Chronic pain often causes depression. So you get the chronic pain secondary to the original injury. Then you get the depression secondary to the chronic pain and disability. People with chronic pain are often depressed because the pain limits their activities and the pain meds make them more depressed. You don't usually go from depression to chronic pain. You go from chronic pain to depression. Of course, any disability can cause depression on its own. Being disabled in America sets you apart and increaes isolation.

[Berta]

Thanks John- you said it a lot better then I did!