Should I File

[20yrserviceconnected]

My Story:

I have been service connected since my discharge from the Army in dec. 1982 for major depression with PCS.

I did not know i could get help from the v.a. for mental health issues or apply for increased benifits until last year when i married my 3rd and present wife. She did research and has really pushed me to get the help and rating she is sure i deserve.

Because of the depression i am on my 3rd marriage since discharge because i have trouble maintaining a healthy relationship. I have had 5 DUI's because I tend to drink heavily once i get severly depressed.

I attempted suicide once while in the service. I spent 6 months in a military hospital and was discharged from there with 10% SC disability for major depression with PCS (was hit in the head twice just prior to the attempted suioside)

Again in 1990 i shot my self missing my heart by 1/4 of an inch. Because of that my splean was removed, i lost part of my rib cage on the left side, lost part of my stomach, liver and pancreas. I also have major scars on my chest and stomach.

I had to start wearing glasses after discharge because of vision problems which may or may not be related to my PCS. have also lost part of my hearing when there are background noice or crowds. I think this is from being hit in the head. Now i have adult onset Diabeties. Probably from partil loss of my pancreas.

In Jan. 2010 i filled the following claims at my wifes insistance:

1) increase in disability due to worsened major depression

2) erectial dysfunction as secondary to major depression. I can not get and/or keep an erection because of my meds for ED. They gave me meds for it but they do not work.

3) Alcohol dependence as secondary to major depression.

What do you think my chances are on these claims? What % do you think they may give? should I file a claim for the other injuries related to the attempted suiside as secondary to major depression? if so what should i file for?

Thanks for listening !

[20yrserviceconnected]

You have a very low gaf .. I don't see why the va won't grant you 100 %.. Usually below 40 grants 100%.. Do they have you as agorapobia ?

What is agorapobia? my wife or i have never heard of that?

[20yrserviceconnected]

I have a mild form of agoraphobia .. It is a fear of public places or being around people .. I often have mild panic attacks to where I have to leave or Isolate myself from people.. I can have incidents to where I will not leave the house for a long period of times.. It comes and goes for me .. There is ups and downs as you already know. Like pete said this is awardable under smc category along with your ed..

that sounds like me. but my doctor has not said anything about that.

[20yrserviceconnected]

I would discuss this with him then .. I think this flows with major depression.. What was the longiest period of time you stayed in the house? For me it could last 2 weeks straight on and off throughout the year.. I noticed little things like rushing out of resturants or public places .. Constantly feeling judged from the perseption of others ultimatly leading to completely avoiding people.. My freinds I hardly associate with and is quite difficult to make new ones..

You have to be very detailed with your doctor as best as you can.. Tell him your fears, perception or anything you can.. A good doctor will listen not talk.. How long have you had your doctor?

mine is not so much staying in the house as it is rushing out of resturants or public places .. Constantly feeling judged from the perseption of others ultimatly leading to completely avoiding people.. My freinds I hardly associate with and is quite difficult to make new ones..

I hate being in crowds and even so the more since I can not hear well in crowdes or where there is any background noice....

I have been seeing the v.a. doc since sept. 2009.

[20yrserviceconnected]

I would discuss this with him then .. I think this flows with major depression.. What was the longiest period of time you stayed in the house? For me it could last 2 weeks straight on and off throughout the year.. I noticed little things like rushing out of resturants or public places .. Constantly feeling judged from the perseption of others ultimatly leading to completely avoiding people.. My freinds I hardly associate with and is quite difficult to make new ones..

You have to be very detailed with your doctor as best as you can.. Tell him your fears, perception or anything you can.. A good doctor will listen not talk.. How long have you had your doctor?

I forgot to mention that my v.a. doc. had me placed into a pshy hospital for evaluation against my will and i was there for 1 week. that is what is holding my claim up now. v.a. told me that is all they are waiting for and it is ready for a decision.

[20yrserviceconnected]

I'm no doctor but I was in the same shoes about the termiology .. I didn't even know what agoraphobia was until my doctor diagnosed me.. I can not tell whether or not you have it but I do strongly recommend in talking to your doctor in great detail. In addition , I had a hard time with switching every 9-10 months with a intern student doctor.. So I requested a permanent doctor .. In doing so it has reduced my anxiety and the crappy feeling of being kicked back and forth.

i also have a big problem with both long and short term memory. If i am not in the moment i will have to be reminded over and over of something before it sticks

[20yrserviceconnected]

What type of medications are you on?

i do not know the names but i take meds for anxiety depression arthritas 1 to keep my stomach from getting upset with the other meds and a med for ED wich does nothing to help. Diabeties meds and high colesterol meds.