Will Va Recognize Depression And Anxiety From Years Of Chronic Pain?

[usmc0599]

Good afternoon brothers and sisters,

I've been going to a VA therapist for four months concerning anxiety attacks and depression. The anxiety attacks are triggered when I get sinus

(0%) infections because Im extremely claustrophobic and being "stuffy" stimulates a feeling of being closed in. The meds Ive been perscribbed have helped to reduce these attacks. Im on several depression and anxiety meds.

The depression itselfs stems from being in constant pain and discomfort. I suffer from chronic cervical arthritis(20%) which is spreading throughout my right arm and shoulder. I also had four surgeries to correct severe high arches (30%)

that created more problems than they solved. would it be a waste of time to submit a claim for depression and anxiety since i didn't suffer any while in the Marine Corps.

Im currently 60% disabled for cervical arthritis and pes cavus (high arches) related issues. Im rated 0% for chronic sinus infections and tension headaches. Thank you all.

[usmc0599]

usmc0599,

Glad to hear you got an increase, but I still think you should persue the mental health claim if you truley feel they are related to your medical conditions. If you can get one psychologist or psychiatrist to put in writing that your depression and or anxiety is at least as likely as not or a 50/50 probabilty that the mental health conditions are a result of your service connected medical conditions, you will prevail. Just my opinion, but if I were you, I would work on getting the documentation and appeal the denial, you have a year to do so. If you feel you deserve the beneft, go for it!

Donna,

Im waiting to talk to a real psychiatrist. Not saying the VA psychiatrists aren't real, but I need to see someone who's not in a hurry to see me out the door and one that speaks english. Hope I dont sound condescending but ive seen six of them in the last year and a half with only one speaking decent english. I'm just not willing to get in the appeal line yet. I will though, if I feel I have a strong doctors opinion and is still denied. as for deserving it, I was diagnose with depression through the VA and it was documented that it was due to general medical conditions. The only medical conditions I have are all service connected issues. I was hoping the VA would use the same logic, but obviously not....thank you for your response mam.

[retiredat44]

You are not the only one, in my thirties I was to sick to ever work again..

there were two shocks, my own from being left out in the cold with no incomce and laying down sick,

and the second everyone else including all of the disability agencies, doctors, family all thinking I was crazy... and just trying to become some type of drug seeker for pain meds...

I took many years and surgeries and close to death before all those scumbags had al the proof that it wasn't in my head and I did indeed suffer from a life threatening disease,,,

If all the illness in the military was not on record I would be dead now,, the big problem is the VA refused to read the medical records and a face-2-face dro hearing forced them to look at my smr's.. now it's just bene a long wait while they jerk around..

Berta,

I still work mam and I think they did send something about TDIU, but I havent filed for it. Im 32 years old and im still in denial about the thought of not being able to work. It frightens me that some days i feel like my body is falling apart.

Ive been avoiding the issue, but its something I will have to adress soon.

The surgeries were done while I was in the Marine Corps. Can I still file a Section 1151 ,38 USC claim?

Tahnk you mam.

Edited April 15, 2012 by retiredat44

[Berta]

USMC -0599 :

"The surgeries were done while I was in the Marine Corps. Can I still file a Section 1151 ,38 USC claim?"

Sorry-no, the Feres Doctrine prevents service men/women from suing the Mil.

It has been challenged again though- you never know if it might someday be repealed.