Chronic Adjustment Disorder Or Dysthymic Disorder

[scscrewed]

In the military, I suffered an injury and was diagnosed with chronic adjustment disorder with depressed mood. Once out of the military, I continued my treatment at the VA and a new diagnosis was placed upon me about fourteen months later dysthymic disorder with recurrent MDD. Fast forward seven years, and I am still being treated for DD and MDD, and I have tried to kill myself several times. Does it matter if the rating is for Adjustment disorder or for the DD and MDD?

I am at 100 percent, but if I am re-evaluated I don't want them saying that I don't have adjustment disorder anymore, but DD and MDD and because it was diagnosed fourteen months out of service instead of twelve months out of service I don't want the DD and MDD not counted as service connected. I pretty paranoid, but you'll have that with a guy whose only medical coverage is the VA, and his shrink just cancelled his next appointment; I mean I tried to kill myself on the thirteenth of November. Can my dependents sue for wrongful death if they know I'm in this state, but don't help me? It doesn't matter.

[usmcgirl]

I think those are new claims for the ED and loss of foot. Again...I don't think your VSO/DAV is giving you very good advice. I think that the others are right here on this one. But anytime you open up your old claim, the VA is going to take a look at your previous SC's and make sure that you still rate the ratings that they gave you previously. Keep in mind that you aren't alone - and I am not just talking about your family. I mean as a Vet. We try and take care of each other on here by offering support and by far the best knowledge I have seen anywhere.

[scscrewed]

Does asking for P and T open my claim back up for review? And, if I was granted automobile hand device grant shouldn't SMC been granted automatically? It doesn't matter too much. The VSO said that at the ten year mark they couldn't severe any of rated service connected items and at twenty they couldn't reduce them. We're worried, because they're a good chance if the pressure swore on my leg doesn't heel the Navy docs get their way and it comes off, and the rating for the amputation is only 60 percent; I know 80 percent with the leg and 60 percent without it.

[john999]

If you ask for P&T they will take a look at your claim to see if you have improved or remained static. You might want a letter from a doctor saying your conditions are static.

[usmcgirl]

SC,

to us...everything matters. we are all in the battle for our claims. people here care. that's what bands us together here on this site. i am glad that you seem to be doing the research also. you are going to find as you dig deeper that there are others here that share the same issues as you. so you are probably helping others also. yes, by asking for P&T that opens up your claim. asking for a letter from your doc for your conditions remaing static is the right way to go on that one. but take one thing at a time. you don't have to fight the battle all alone. gather your evidence, go over it, look at what you are already SC'ed for - make sure your prior conditions have not changed. if you get a lawyer check and see if they work on contingency.

[john999]

That is very good advice USMCGirl. I don't like the way SCscrewed's DAV rep talks about him or the process. I would dump that guy quick. Get a rep who supports you and understands your issues.

[71M10]

Scscrewed,

I don't have any direct interaction with VSO's, but it seems to me if our VSO's and Veterans organizations were truly fighting for Veterans we would have gained some ground by now!

It is possible the VSO is worried you might lose, it is also possible they don't want to put forth the effort. Yours is not the garden variety simple claim. They may feel they have done enough to get you to where you are now.

I do think you need to rethink something though. You mention the pressure sore and amputation and that if amputated your leg is only 60% not 80%. The percentage of your disability shouldn't be the deciding factor in your medical care. What is best for your health and you as a human being needs to be the deciding factor. Have you filed for SSDI? If you have, what do the exams and paperwork from that rating or review say? If you haven't, maybe you should file and see what they say. It may add an additional set of favorable medical records and doctors opinons to prevent a future reduction. If sucessful it will increase the services/resources available to you.

Best regards,