How To Apply For Anxiety/depression Due To Chronic Pain

[BrookH]

Hi,

A friend of ours is rated at 50% with lumbar, cervical, carpal tunnel, gerd /h-h, shoulder raduicaphy, high blood pressure and something else. Anyhow they had a neurophysc visit while on active duty and the specialist said something like unknown reasons but problems like other pgw vets qualify with dsm iv (I think), now after retired they had another appointment because of memory problems, depression/anxiety (seeing a va counselor and such). The neurophysc tests came back good, brain is working well. A few things our friend said was the neurophysch seen sleep apnea and asked if treated with a cpap now. The answer was yes, so neurophysc said (not sure if he wrote it down) but possible reason test were bad back on active duty was maybe sleep apnea and good now because cpap has fixed that. Also said memory problems and depression now is probably because of current pain.

So it might be a stretch but if the military doctor on active duty thought svcmbr had sleep apnea could this neurophysch thoughts be help.......there are smr notes but not diagnoses.

Also would it be reasonable to claim depression/anxiety due to chronic pain and how is this rated?

Opps, also the person claimed sciatica on their claim but examiner said no sciatica but a lumbar strain. No MRI was given but probably 5 years later went to pain clinic and received a tens was also told pain was sciatica. Can that get reopened or not worth it and how to change to ivds or idvs?

Appreciate it and will pass all info on.

Edited June 10, 2011 by BrookH

[john999]

I believe you can win a claim for depression due to chronic pain if the chronic pain is based on SC condition. You need to see a psychiatrist who will write you a report explaining all this. Some notes will probably not do it. You need to pretty much stick to thing where you can draw a straight line from SC condition to secondary condition. The VA will not do that for you.

[vet2010]

My story is a mirror of what yall are going through. I am rated 20% for Lower Back and 50% for depression. My depression consist of not being able to join my kids in a swimming pool, can't lay down or sit for long periods of time, Can't sleep (sleep Apena 50% w/cpap), must use a walking cane (somedays) to get around. I am 39 yrs olds and feel like 50. I recently retired form the Army in 2010 and I am rated at 100% sc, i would suggest when yall see the doctors make sure you state the truth, if you use to do it and you can't now what the heck. I use to make love to my wife however because of my back I can't anymore, I use to run and jog 4 miles a day but I can't now. Its not that I am getting old, its because I gave everything to the Army and Now its time for them to give it back. I take over 12 pills a day and thats not including the pills I take as needed (cialis), I take Exalgo a hydramorphine for my back and when I do I can't drive, watch my children or clean my on damn house. Stick with this site and claim what you deserve. Oh, I also take sleeping pills (lunesta) just to get a few hours of sleep. also combine Zoloft with the coctail of pills I already take and buddy I am a ticking time bomb... Anger has consumed me to the point where I call my wife from work atleast twice a month when I feel I am in danger of F*cking someone up. Sorry for the language. I call her because we have four small children that I must look after all day, one spill of a cup and the fuse has been lit...

vet2010

[john999]

How did you hurt your back and are you getting any kind of PT for it now? I would think a pool would be the one thing you could do to move around with the water supporting your weight. I have back and neck problems as well. I always have to be careful about what I do and what I commit to do. I wanted to watch a baseball game but I can't stand to sit that long.

[vet2010]

I get No, None, 0 relief for my Back. I injured my back while in the Army, my MOS was Infantry for 20yrs. Ground pounding for 20yrs woud make anyone go crazy let alone injure themselves. If you know anything about the Infantry the one thing you DON'T do is go to sick call for an injury, especially when you are in a Leadership position. Unless you have a bone sticking out somewhere you better not go to sickcall.

vet2010

[john999]

So do you get your full retirement pay and 100% from the VA? Have you applied for SSD? I know money does not give you your life back, but it is all the VA has to offer.

[vet2010]

Yes I receive full retirement pay and 100% pay from the VA. I filed for SSD in March 2011 I am still waiting for a decision, I have an appt on 15 June with the SSD medical. My initial appt with VA is 13 June, I will be filling for P and T sometime in the near future. My civilian pain management doctor suggested I accept the 3 level fusion of my Back however he also stated because of my age (39) he is against the proceedure.

vet2010