ptsd Question

[Moody]

I hope this is in the right place I am rated for PTSD and DDD but the pian form my back is so bad it makes me feel like I can't do anything and depressed should I claim depression as a secondary condition or will the va not rate it as I am already rated for PTSD. I really don't know how all that works so any help would be appropriated. Thanks.

[john999]

A rating of 30% does not jive with a description of Severe, Chronic PTSD. That sounds like 100% to me. Who said you had severe and chronic PTSD? Was that your c&p or your VA doctor that DX'ed you. Also, have you had surgery on your back? If you work or don't work your back will probably hurt. I don't have an answer for the chronic pain thing because if I did I would be using it. I took vicodin at work for my pain until it drove me crazy. I would not look to the VA for treatment of my back pain. I imagine they just give you shots and narcotics. The world is divided into those with back pain and those without and those without think they know just what to do to fix your back including all the doctors. All surgery does most of the time is correct ROM or fix numb leg. It does not fix pain with any predictability.

[Moody]

Yeah I don't expect to much for the back pain it just depresses me as far as the ptsd it was either an army doc or a va doc that stated that. I don't remember who as I would have to look through my medical records to see what doc said it. I was medical retired from the army because of ptsd. That's why I put in for an increase.

[Moody]

hey sorry if my post was confusing but you are pretty much right sorry I didnt mean to post I had a rating for DDD I was trying to say that I put in a new claim for that and that I was ratred 30% for PTSD no I have not submited anything for depression because I am waiting to see what they say about my back I was rated at 30% back in 2006 and jan of this year I was medically retired from the army for my PTSD DDD and my collarbone

PS some spelling may be wrong

Moody,

I have combined your info together for some questions.

1)

" I hope this is in the right place I am rated for PTSD and DDD

but the pian form my back is so bad it makes me feel like I can't do anything and depressed

should I claim depression as a secondary condition or will the va not rate it as I am already rated for PTSD.

I really don't know how all that works so any help would be appropriated. Thanks."

2)

"I have put in request for and increase for th ptsd and I just put in a new claim for the DDD I am still waiting to see what they say.

That was back in feb but my conditions have gotten worse and I haven't even gotten a decision back yet."

Questions:

Your profile shows you are SC'd at 30 %.

What are your current service connected (SC'd) conditions and what percentage evaluations for each ?

Apparently you are not yet rated as service connected for DDD as you post,

"just put in a new claim for the DDD" and are "still waiting to see what they say".

In reading what you have posted, I am thinking that so far you are only SC'd for PTSD

and that it has been evaluated as 30 percent disabling.

I am thinking you have submitted a request for an increase in evaluation for mental health

and added a claim for SC of your DDD.

If this is all correct so far, then the next thing I'm thinking from your posts, is that you are also wanting to get your

depression - (due to the pain from your DDD) adjudicated as SC'd.

If this is correct - first VBA would need to grant SC for your DDD and assign an evaluation percentage for it.

Next, they would need a mental health professional to opine on the depression to see if your depression is due to the DDD

and if it is - they can SC it as a secondary condition to your DDD.

They would also need the mental health professional to opine on the depression itself

and how it impacts your daily life, especially in regards to Occupational and Social functioning.

Bottom line is you will get only one evaluation for mental health. If both PTSD and depression are

adjudicated to be SC'd - then you should receive whichever evaluation would be highest as they are comorbid.

This is my understanding.

JMHO

As sharon posted, " Your increase will be based on range of motion on your back vs pain"