C&p Exam For Depression

[oldman273]

Hey I have read several claims on the forum and have a couple of questions. I have chronic pain from my back which is service connected I thought my last surgery would have been the sure thing a fix to my issues of my back. Well the fat lady has finnished her song and I am in worse shape than I was before the surgery. I have had my claim at the decison phase for the last three weeks and then on the 1st of August my claim was moved back to the devolpmental phase and I got a letter in that I have another C/P exam less than a week away.

With that stuff out of the way I have been through the VA system for counseling and I get my pain meds from my civillian Surgeon and the stuff is so strong I am unable to drive. Is it a common practice for the VA to go back and ask for a C/P at the last moment? I am probally being paranoid but dealing with the VA can make anyone paranoid.

I had put in a claim for depression as the chronic pain and my inability to do even the simplest task like dressing myself and showering I am not able to do these task has really been degrading I am not that old. At 46 I have the back of an 80 year old my surgeon told my wife. My Daughter age 13 has been my biggest helper with out her I probally would have been in a nursing home by now.

My wife wants to come with me as she is so angry at the VA I did not want her to go off on the C&P examiner. She has to work for the kids insurance and has missed work on account of me being unable to get out of bed and after I have fallen a few times going outside. I have been able to pay a guy to come do some things for me and my family comes by everyday to help me get around and do some light house keeping. The C/P exam is not something I can get ready for it is what it is to coin a phrase. I guess I am just tired but I do not have any thing else to bring with me other than the things I have went through. Thanks for any ideas or thoughts. I did want to add that I am not discouraging anyone from surgery everyone is different but my case is that I need more help daily I was not expecting the way it came out.

[iceturkee]

Hey I might be posting this twice but I had my C/P exam yesterday and I had my exam for depression and met with examiner. I was asked the general questions and and was told while in active duty I was told by examiner did I recal being diagnosed with systemic Hypertension I looked it up and but I am stumped how it relates to my depression for what the C/P exam was for. I had hypertension on active duty. I have a realy hard time under stress and on active duty during inspections I would do well but I could always tell my blood pressure would spike and I would have migraines afterwards. I would like to hear any ideas also as my wife was with me but I asked if he needed her after the exam but after the exam he said he had all he needed. I am stumped as to what it had to do with depression/chronic pain maybe hypertension was a key factor I am not sure, Thanks again have a good day

don't know what to say but you did give me a thought. i wonder if i could claim my hypertension as service connected due to chronic back pain and depression/anxiety from that. hmmm?

[Loose Cannon]

i just got service connected for depression (at 30 percent), secondary to my back condition, currently rated at 40 percent. i had totally forgotten, until reminded by my c&p doctor, that i had been treated for depression in 1983 while still on active duty in the navy.

I was wondering if you put in a specific claim for depression or if that was something that came out as a result of your C&P exam for your back condition? I have a severe case of PTSD and have a C&P exam for an increased rating for it it in three days. I have a lot of documentation from my VA doctors in my VA treatment/med records for depression, secondary to my PTSD. Just wondering if there's any possible way they will put 2+2 together and possibly award a rating for the depression at the same time they decide they finally decide if an increased rating for PTSD is warranted...Any help or past experiences from you or anyone else would be welcomed.

[iceturkee]

I was wondering if you put in a specific claim for depression or if that was something that came out as a result of your C&P exam for your back condition? I have a severe case of PTSD and have a C&P exam for an increased rating for it it in three days. I have a lot of documentation from my VA doctors in my VA treatment/med records for depression, secondary to my PTSD. Just wondering if there's any possible way they will put 2+2 together and possibly award a rating for the depression at the same time they decide they finally decide if an increased rating for PTSD is warranted...Any help or past experiences from you or anyone else would be welcomed.

sorry, its a crap shoot with the va. to answer your question, i put in a claim.

Edited September 10, 2011 by iceturkee

[vet2010]

I wanted to chime in and state what happened to me, I hope this helps. While on active duty I had several back surgeries however I refused to have the Fusion and my doctor opted against it because of my age (37) at the time. My doctor stated their was nothing else he could do accept send me to a Pain Managemnt Specialist. After seeing the Pain Management Specialist he put me on two heavy norcotics for life and I was sent to see a Physchiatrist in his office. I am currently taking medication for severe depression and Anxiety. I am rated at 100% Sc from the VA and I receive 50% for depression and 20% for my Back Pain. I was awarded 100% the first time around... I hope this help...I see my Psychiatrist and Pain doc once a month for med refills.

[cooter]

Vet2010

I'm in the same vote as you and have a question. Is the psychiatrist your seeing monthly a MH psych or a pain management psych?

Also, was he involved in the granting of your SC depression?

I wanted to chime in and state what happened to me, I hope this helps. While on active duty I had several back surgeries however I refused to have the Fusion and my doctor opted against it because of my age (37) at the time. My doctor stated their was nothing else he could do accept send me to a Pain Managemnt Specialist. After seeing the Pain Management Specialist he put me on two heavy norcotics for life and I was sent to see a Physchiatrist in his office. I am currently taking medication for severe depression and Anxiety. I am rated at 100% Sc from the VA and I receive 50% for depression and 20% for my Back Pain. I was awarded 100% the first time around... I hope this help...I see my Psychiatrist and Pain doc once a month for med refills.

[vet2010]

He is a mental health doc and No he was not involved.