Disability Claim For Bipolar Disorder - Any Help Would Be Appreciated!

[kkarlson]

Hi everyone,

I have been reading through several posts from people with similar issues. I have a few specific questions that I would love to get feedback on, though I also know that each and every claim is unique and there is no such thing as time frames or standards associated with a VA Disability Claim. However, any advise or personal experience you can share would go a very long way!

Background on my story:

I was medically separated from the US Air Force after a little over three years, honorably, after being found to be Axis 1 bipolar 2, Axis 2 personality disorder, self-defeating traits, and ADHD by a medical review board at Lackland Air Force Base in 2007. My separation paperwork clearly states that my condition was found to be NOT EXISTING PRIOR TO SERVICE and/or PERMANENTLY AGGITATED BY MILITARY SERVICE. This, I know, is in my favor. I didn't file a claim right away because I was unsure of how to go about it, then later found out that it can be done online, so that is what I did. I opened my claim for bipolar 2/ADHD along with degenerative disk disease (also diagnosed during service,) back in June of 2011 with the Chicago, IL Regional Office. We are coming up on a full year now and I have supplied more than sufficient documentation (including medical records during service, medical records for current treatment, letters of support from family and friends etc.,) and the VA has had it on file now since my claim entered "Review of Evidence" status on October 24, 2011, yet I have had ZERO correspondance from the VA. I have called on several occassions inquiring on the status to no avail. I continue to receive notifications stating that "We continue to review your claim and it will be processed as quickly as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience." I understand that the VA is very far behind due to being under-staffed, and the explosion of claims coming in from soldiers returning home from overseas (God bless them all.) I am not complaining about how long it has taken to this point, but I would like to know if there is a light at the end of this tunnell. Anyone shared in a similar claim that has any insight as to where it will go from here would be fantastic (i.e. will I need to have a C&P Exam since I was diagnosed while in the military and it was found to be not existing prior to service? How much longer might this go? What kind of rating can I expect? etc.)

I believe I am at least 50% disabled due to this condition. I am writing this long post because I am going through yet another manic episode, shaking from the Adderall I have to take daily just to remain focused on my job and family. This condition has caused me to distance myself from those who care about me, contributed to several episodes of infidelity with my previous wife (obviously we divorced,) a loss of employment (working again, but was laid off due to work related issues,) extreme mood swings, sleep deprivation, mild memory loss, panic attacks, impussive spending, alcohol abuse, increase in narcasistic tendencies, eating disorders, drug abuse (not illicit drugs, but stimulants,) severe depression and self loathing, self-defeating traits etc. It has been terrible to deal with, needless to say. Not only for me, but for my family as well. I had a really rough experience while in the Air Force and I was both physically and verbally abused quite often, starting in basic training and all the way through my three + years. I began to lash out and fight back which made matters much worse. To this day, while I have fewer stressors, I continue to battle tendencies caused by this disease. I have documented all of these issues for the VA so that is all part of my claim.

If you have read my entire rant and haven't run for the hills yet, I applaud you and sincerely appreciate you hearing me out. Like I said earlier, if anyone has any first-hand knowledge as to what I can expect moving forward, it would be wonderful. Here are the questions I would like to get some "best guesses" on:

1. Considering the evidence I have mentioned above, what would be a "reasonable" rating percentage in your best opinion?

2. How much longer can I expect to wait to hear about a C&P Exam, or my claim entering the prep for decision phase (considering the thoroughness of my claim and assuming they have everything they need to make a decision, of course.)?

Once again, thank you in advance for any help you may be able to offer.

Best Regards.

Edited April 18, 2012 by kkarlson

[Computer Tech]

Congratulation on winning your claim. The December 2012 on the verification letter isn't your effective daate, it's just the start date of you collecting 70% at $xx. The decision letter will tell you your effective date.

Rick

[kkarlson]

Thanks, Rick.

I guess that is what I am afraid of... are they saying I will only get back pay to December 2012 or will it be back to the date of my application (June of 2011)?

[john999]

I was rated 70% for a mental disorder and their was no question about being incompetent. I think if the VA is going to maintain you are incompetent to handle your affairs you should be 100%. I think an appeal is in order. I don't see how the VA can have it both ways. Either you are competent to handle your affairs thus 70% or you are incompetent...100%.

John

[kkarlson]

^John,

^{You make a very valid point; the only aspect I would appeal would be the incompetent part. Full disclosure, I would feel dirty if I was to be rated at 100%. I've seen 100% disabled before and it would not be fair to claim I am as bad off as others deserving of that rating. I feel 70% is a very fair rating and I will be meeting with my VFW rep to discuss my options in erraticating the incompetency ruling. I only hope this doesn't hold up the disbursement of the retro too much. I read some horror stories.}

[kkarlson]

I think I'm going to have a freaking panic attack now... I just went to check the eBenefits status again and now there has been a new claim opened as of today... the same day my one and only claim closed. The status shows as "predetermination" and I don't know what the hell is going on. I was found to be incompetent per the VARO, but I am lost and not feeling as good about things anymore... I hate this process :(

Does anyone have any idea what is going on? Not speculation, I'm hoping for personal experience. I don't think this is rare, but then again I really have no idea.

[Computer Tech]

kkarlson,

The December 2012 is when the last cola kicked in. The decision letter will tell you your effective which if your claim has be continous should be June of 2011. My verification letter said, the same thing but when I got the decision letter I found that my efective date was Sep of 2010.

Rick.