Weekend C&p Exam Oddities-In My Favor?

[brokensoldier244th]

I had a weekend C&P ( I thought that was unusual enough-most of the Omaha VAMC was closed when I was there at 0745 this morning, and ive never had one on a weekend before) and the doc said something that I hand't heard before. The C&P doc (Psych) directly contravened my VA doc and PCP here in Lincoln. I used to take zoloft for PME, and it was originally prescribed for that. Many months ago I noted that it wasn't working, since I couldn't raise the mast anyway, so levitra was prescribed. Around the same time I started seeing my VA psychologist, and one of the things she said was that if I felt that the zoloft was helping my depression, keep taking it. I mentioned this to my PCP (a PA) who has continued my prescription. I have not seen anyone else in MH (like a psychiatrist) in all this, just these two.

The C&P doc (a board psychologist) said this morning that, while he can't "Tell me what to do......." and he isn't "judging my care staff in Lincoln", he says that its his recommendation that I get referred into actual Mental Health, because they can write prescriptions, and the 50mg zoloft that I take now is not enough, in his opinion-I should seek more, or a different medication for my depression and symptoms, based on my history, and our hour long discussion today, because what I am doing now isn't working. He had all of my prior notes in the system, and had reviewed them before I came in.

WOW....ive never heard the C&P doc directly call anyone out like that before.

I'm currently 30% for depression, but in the midst of my still submitting evidence my claim was granted, so I continued pursuing it as a request for increase, since I have absence write-ups (warnings), a warning for non-professional conduct to a client, and a letter from my boss explaining the allowances they have made for my job for things that I dont' have to do vs. other support staff. It also states that in the last year my performance has greatly suffered, my productivity has dropped, and my attitudes and mannerisms at work have become more strained and abrasive with co-workers and clients. Right now I am the lead support tech that doesn' travel, doesn't see clients directly, and works a shorter number of hours a week, to cope with my depression. This evidence was still being compiled when my 30% was granted, so im submitting it now, hoping to bolster a claim for increase based on

"Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment of short- and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learned material, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; impairedabstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships ..........."

To me this sounds at least somewhat favorable to me, in some respect, since the doc is recommending different and increased level of care for this. Am I wrong in thinking this? I've attached the letter from my boss for reference to what was submitted. I also submitted as evidence 2 written performance warnings, one dealing with my response to a client (for support), and the other a punitive one RE my absences over the last year. Im 70 percent now, and while no one has said anything about IU (im still working, anyway) my fear is that in my current capacity as lead support im so 'protected' from various aspects of the job because of specialized knowledge that if I left where I work now I wouldn't be able to get another job in IT support anywhere because of my difficulties in dealing with people and adverse/combative attitudes.

Im in grad school now, distance learning, shooting for an information security degree, in the hopes that I can try to turn that into a job as an analyst that doesn't have to deal with clients anymore, but that is still 2 years away. I have a claim in to renew vocational rehab services as well, as my last status of 'rehabilitated' was based on my completion of my B.S. in Info Systems mgt in 2008-which has thus far qualified me for 'tech support' in every other place that I have applied to in the last few years. Add to this that my current specialty at work now will be gone in a few years due to planned obsolescence. My fear is that if I quit, or get fired from my current lead support job, im kind of screwed.....so my request for Voc Rehab services revolves around new training in Information Technology that isn't a support/technician/people type of job.

Edited December 11, 2011 by brokensoldier244th

[brokensoldier244th]

I see. I wasn't trying to be too defensive, just pointing out that im not aiming for an MBA or something with a high sociability context.

I agree with you Broken. I think that attending graduate school doesn't bar you from a higher rate. I think you should get one.

My post was in reply to Carlie's post about your chances. She pointed out the graduate school. I stated my experience with vets at 100 percent mental health in grad school.

[scscrewed]

I think you misinterpreted my honorable defense of you. And, I can see where your going to school it's on your signature. You'll know in a few months. You know how screwed up you are. I know you've told me how screwed you are, so lets hope everyone at the VARO agrees you're a hot mess and gives you an appropriate rating.

[brokensoldier244th]

No offense intended on either side, I just didn't want this to devolve into a pissing match over who has or is entitled to receive benefits. I see that sometimes over at VBN.

Ill agree that the disability process seems to be quite arbitrary. I have ED, take levitra, yet ive been denied for SMC-K and its currently on appeal, even though my ED is SC and secondary to nerve impingement in my lower back.

CAS

I think you misinterpreted my honorable defense of you. And, I can see where your going to school it's on your signature. You'll know in a few months. You know how screwed up you are. I know you've told me how screwed you are, so lets hope everyone at the VARO agrees you're a hot mess and gives you an appropriate rating.

[scscrewed]

If the ED medication works then they don't pay the SMC-k. My Uncle Billy lost his appeal on that one. Also, just for the record 100 percent mental health vets that hide their school involvement are committing fraud. Because the rating is for total occupational and social impairment, If the VA knows about it then it is not. This isn't an opinion call the VARO and ask them.

[brokensoldier244th]

Nah, no need. I know the mental regs pretty well-ive done a lot of research into it. They are pretty adamant on that 'total incapacitation", at least for IU. I wouldn't want to push those regulations with the excuse of "but im working at 'under marginal employment income......" you know? I may someday end up at 100% but its all piddly this and piddly that. All of it singly isn't completely debilitating, but on a bad day it all just seems to rear up at once. It sucks. :-)

I didnt know about the ED medication working = no SMC. Ive read a lot of guys that get levitra but still get SMC-K, mostly from reading at VBN. Based on that I thought it was weird that having SC ED but taking a medication to allow erections (or a pump, or injections)= denial, at least for me. Pumps/meds doesn't cure it. The 'loss of function' is still there, it'd be like telling someone with a brace or prosthetic that they weren't disabled, either.

If the ED medication works then they don't pay the SMC-k. My Uncle Billy lost his appeal on that one. Also, just for the record 100 percent mental health vets that hide their school involvement are committing fraud. Because the rating is for total occupational and social impairment, If the VA knows about it then it is not. This isn't an opinion call the VARO and ask them.

Edited December 12, 2011 by brokensoldier244th

[scscrewed]

I agree. He's appealing again. That's his argument too. I wear an afo, but still get SMC-k for my leg