Dealing With The Va Is A Catch 22

[hurryupnwait]

The VA wants me to look sick, act sick and be sick and I m trying everything I can to be just the opposite. Catch 22

I m expecting to have several c&p exams very soon, so I have decided to postpone trying some alternative treatments like acupuncture, glucosamine, etc. until after these exams. Catch 22

The RO will prolly give me a low rating for a depression secondary to chronic back pain because with medication I m less depressed, therefore, it deserves a lower rating, but if the veteran refused to take any medication, then the rating would be 0% or denied according to the rating schedule.

Catch 22

Any comments

Happy Trails

Paul

[john999]

Do you have your own doctor to explain what you are like when you are not on the drugs as opposed to when you are? If you just go to the C&P exam and you seem to be doing well then the C&P doctor just takes a snapshot of you at your best. You just can't depend on C&P exams. I never got more than 30% via a C&P. It was not until I got my own IMO's that I got a decent rating.

[Vync]

Interesting. I had two C&P's. The first one, they flat out rejected everything. At that time, I was on some pretty decent medication. I appealed and went to the board and explained the medication impact on me. They granted me another C&P and I went without my meds for several days beforehand. They granted my current SC conditions, then sent me refills for all my medications. You're right about the catch 22.

I wish Hadit existed back in 1995. B)

[Pete53]

Its not supposed to be like that but alas it is.

[carlie]

The RO will prolly give me a low rating for a depression secondary to chronic back pain because with medication I m less depressed, therefore, it deserves a lower rating, but if the veteran refused to take any medication, then the rating would be 0% or denied according to the rating schedule.

Catch 22

Any comments

Happy Trails

Paul

hurry,

Can you post where and what is shown in the Schedule for Rating Disabilities that relates to,

"if the veteran refused to take any medication, then the rating would be 0% or denied according to the rating schedule."

The VA cannot make you take any medication also a veteran can be on a shedule to take medication when needed, such as when symptoms are exacerbated.

I will be an honest vet here, as other's, and admit straight up

sometimes I don't take half the crap they RX to me ----

why, some may ask - answer - even though I have bad bouts with

suicide - I don't want to spend the majority of my days sick as heck

due to being over medicated.

I copied and pasted part os the schedule below, it is important to note

the or.

Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress,

or;

symptoms controlled by continuous medication ....... 10

A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning

or

to require continuous medication ........ 0

jmho,

carlie

Edited December 2, 2009 by carlie

[hurryupnwait]

hurry,

Can you post where and what is shown in the Schedule for Rating Disabilities that relates to,

"if the veteran refused to take any medication, then the rating would be 0% or denied according to the rating schedule."

The VA cannot make you take any medication also a veteran can be on a shedule to take medication when needed, such as when symptoms are exacerbated.

I will be an honest vet here, as other's, and admit straight up

sometimes I don't take half the crap they RX to me ----

why, some may ask - answer - even though I have bad bouts with

suicide - I don't want to spend the majority of my days sick as heck

due to being over medicated.

I copied and pasted part os the schedule below, it is important to note

the or.

Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress,

or;

symptoms controlled by continuous medication ....... 10

A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning

or

to require continuous medication ........ 0

jmho,

carlie

I understand this statement to mean, if you are not taking continuous medication, your rating would be 0. This is what I m referring to.