lumbosacral Mental Health Advice

[mac mcqueen]

I had a C/P for Mental health that had been deffered and I was just wanting to know if anyone might know what it might rate at. The claim has been deffered since 2008: I'll put it into two post

HISTORY OF THE PRESENT ILLNESS: There is no C-file available for review, although the request for examination indicates that the patient is service connected for several orthopedic difficulties, most particularly lumbosacral and cervical strain. The patient himself appears to be a reliable historian. The patient presents a history of increasingly debilitating back pain which has resulted in 3 previous surgeries on his back and another surgery is planned for later this month. AS the patient has chronic daily pain in both his knees and in his back, he is now enduring increasing limitations on previously pleasurable activities as well as suffering, again, chronic daily pain which he finds understandably quite discouraging, demoralizing and depressing and at this point the patient describes a symptom pattern indicative of major depression with decreased mood, decreased energy, decreased interest, decreased self-esteem, sleep and appetite disturbance, difficulty with concentration and focus, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, increased impatience and irriLability and vague suicidal ideation, although no suicidal plan or Intent. The patient states that he did seek out psychiatric care within the past year at the Ft. Smith Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic but was told there was not much that could be done for his depressive symptoms. He is currently being treated with a hypnotic agent Restoril to help with his disturbed sleep patterns but is otherwise not receiving ongoing psychiatric care. The patient is currently working aA an Air Force Junior ROTC teacher at a local high school; however, he states that he will no longer be able to work at the end of this month when he will have surgery yet again. He describes increasing difficulty at work because of the impact of hIs chronIc pain dud his dep~ession on hiG concentration and focus as well as the impact of his increasing fatigue and irritability on his work performance. He reports that his wife also complains of his becoming inc~easingly socially and emotionally withdrawn and irritable and she encouraged him to seek out psychiatric care.

[halos2]

Remember VA will comp only on service connected injuries, but ssdi will on all disabling conditions. What are your diagnoses received for comp service connected?

[mac mcqueen]

My service connected right now is :

Degenerative Disc Disease, Osteoarthritis, Spinal Canal Stenosis………50%

Bilateral Tinnitus……………………………………………………………………….10%

Sinusitis……………………………………………………………………………………..10%

Chondromalacia Left Knee………..………………………………………………10% (1.9% for diagnostic code 5259,5003

Chondromalacia Right Knee………………………………………………………10% (1.9% for diagnostic code 5259,5003

Total of 70% combined rating.

Right now I have a claim thats at the rater for the following:

Temp 100% Convalescence Left Knee Surgery

Temp 100% Convalescence back surgery

Increase for the left knee

Restless Leg Syndrome

EDD

Major Depression

Ive been waiting right at 1 year they said it was at the rater on Monday 29 March.

I had another back surgery on the 22 of March and I'll be fileing for that and P&T/IU if I don't make it to the 100% which I don't beliee I will. I think I'll end up 80 to 90. I resigned my Job as a ROTC instructor as of the 29th due to medical reasons.

All of the advise you can give halos is needed as I just can't work anymore. I have a PCP letter stating that and I'm on meds and to be honest the more I worked the worse I got. I'm 54 and I give up I don't won't to spend all of my retirement days as a cripple. I do want some enjoyment.

[halos2]

File that SSDI claim. Especially with the latest surgical procedures you have had. You say you resigned your latest job 29mar10. I read in your post retired 7 yrs 20 aug 09. When did you return to work? Was it full time or part time? You do have all and every copy of your medical records and c-file, right? Looks like you are waiting for ratings on these claims. Do you have any other opinions via physicians?

Your mental health exam does show secondary relationship, so hopefully the VA will rate you well here. You can never guess what % one might receive. Maintain close contact with your VSO. They will hear first the determinations made with your claim, and make sure you impress you want that phone call from him as soon as he receives notification.

Have you had straight awardances, or have you utalized the appeals processes and NOD's?

Make sure you are able to present the SSA all physician numbers/addresses/phone numbers, especially hospital dates for surgerys too. I know the SSA requested my records from the appropriate professionals, but I sent copies with my application packet. Whether they kept them too, I don't know but I wanted to make sure they had everything I had to assist with their evaluation process. They will eventially set you up with an appointment, which may take a year or so, but don't get discouraged. Just stay focused with both VA and SSDI claims. Remember you will receive travel pay for your SSDI exam if it is not near your home.

Always remember if you have 1 good day and 6 painful, terrible days, related to the painful days. Don't try to be tough and strong, let your weaknesses show, but be honest. Others here will offer assistance and remember we got your back, mac.

Edited March 31, 2010 by halos2

[mac mcqueen]

been lucky, never had to file a NOD or Appeal. Just over 10 years of increases as I had surgries. I will do as you say and Get the SSDI moving. I never requested a copy of C-file due to never needed it I did ask the VSO and she said to wait till this claim ends before requesting it. didn't want my file getting tied up if they need it to review. I just wait patiently till I hear something from the rating board. Shure whould be nice to get it to 100%, just not getting my hope up. Did schedule an appointment for the PCP to allow him to set up Appointment for mental health depression. Don't know if he'll just give meds or set an appointment. I'll try and keep it posted as it come in.