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]

What type of medications are you on?

I'm on citolpram 40mg for anxiety / depression .. This has been good medication for me.. It has brought down my anxiety and sucicidal thoughts.. I was on vexifaculine and it was the complete opposite.. Forgive my spelling .. But some drugs have the reverse effect and can make you even sicker.

question:

would my spleen being removed along with part of my pancreas, liver stomach and left side ribs be consider a disability secondary to the depression since it was a self inflickted gun shot wound? and my deiabeties the same question since more likly than not it is caused by not having part of my pancreas.

[20yrserviceconnected]

Have you applied for social security disibilty or supplemental security income?

No I have not. I get really nervous talking to people and forget things so my wife takes care of all that and she said one thing at a time. I have a job where i am by myself all the time and do nothing when at work so i work pretty much full time.

[Pete53]

I am sorry this morning when I welcomed you to Hadit I misread your service connection as 100%.

You need treatment for your conditions and also I believe a higher rating. Up to 70% is possible if you are working and not working due to service connected injuries should be some form of 100%. You show moderate symptoms of agoraphobia and many Docs don't really get into it but if you have it you will know it.

A K award is also possible depending on reasons that you have erectile dysfunction.

For now I would concentrate on treatment and getting service connection increased.

Good Luck

Hadit is here to help Veterans obtain correct service connected ratings and deal with the VA in all its forms.

[20yrserviceconnected]

You have a good chance increasing but its hard to get more pay than 100% but it is possible. If you have agoraphobia you can ask for SMC and get an SMC S award or a little over 300 bucks a month. You can possibly get a K award for the erectile dysfunction You won't get anything from VA unless you ask.

Since you have 100% over 20 years it is protected and any review cannot change it so go for it.

Welcome to Hadit

I am at 10% for the last 20+ years not 100%. Thanks for your input i appreciate all the advice my wife and i can get.

[carlie]

My Story:

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

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)

20yr,

Looks to me like the VA lowballed the heck out of you back in 1982,

plus they may have apparently rolled the depression and PCS

(post concussion syndrome) into one disability.

I suggest calling the 1-800-827-1000 number and asking what

diagnostic codes you are currently SC'd under.

From your post above you were probably SC'd at 10 percent under the 1982 criteria for

Diagnostic Code 8045.

In Oct 2008 the diagnostic code for DC 8045 underwent tremendous criteria changes that

are much more beneficial to the veteran.

I would check into this and if it is as I think then you should be re-evaluate under the

new criteria for DC 8045.

jmho,

carlie

[20yrserviceconnected]

20yr,

Looks to me like the VA lowballed the heck out of you back in 1982,

plus they may have apparently rolled the depression and PCS

(post concussion syndrome) into one disability.

I suggest calling the 1-800-827-1000 number and asking what

diagnostic codes you are currently SC'd under.

From your post above you were probably SC'd at 10 percent under the 1982 criteria for

Diagnostic Code 8045.

In Oct 2008 the diagnostic code for DC 8045 underwent tremendous criteria changes that

are much more beneficial to the veteran.

I would check into this and if it is as I think then you should be re-evaluate under the

new criteria for DC 8045.

jmho,

carlie

Thanks Carlie. I will call and find out. What about the complications from the gun shot wounds. Do you think i should file for thoes as being secondary to the depression or would they just place me on their ignore list if i did?