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

[kkarlson]

Second status update of the day! My status is now in the "Preparation for Notification" phase. I expected things to move quickly after the C&P exam, but certainly not this fast. WOW

[kkarlson]

Just checked eBenefits this morning and my status has once again changed; only this time going from "Preparation for Notification" back to "Pending Decision Approval." Not the status I was hoping to see. I am hoping that it is because I have two contentions and not because something was wrong, OR if it required additional signatures for retro pay being over $10,000. Either way, I will continue to update this thread in hopes that it can ease someone else's mind in the future if they are to encounter some of the same things.

Does anyone know if you can see your rating online once it goes to "Complete"?

[kkarlson]

Got a call yesterday and I was told that I am "Incompetent" which, after doing some research on this, sounds like the kiss of death. My wife, however, is has a finance degree from a very good business school as well as a very good credit history. What will the ramifications for such a designation be? I am totally screwed? If my wife is the fiduciary, I am totally OK with that. Does this indicate any kind of rating (I still don't know what it will be)?

[john999]

Yes, it indicates a 100% rating to me. It means the VA will probably want your wife to handle you finances regarding any VA money you get. I think your C&P exam doctor indicated that you were really mentally disabled by your bipolar condition. It is funny since I spent two weeks in a VA mental ward months after I was discharged, and was diagnosed with schizophrenia(misdiagnosis). I was jobless and homeless and the VA eventually said I was competent and just mildly disabled....10%. I could probably have just stayed at the VA hospital and gotten 100% if I was willing to be institutionalized back in the 70's. Things have changed a lot.

If you don't mind having your wife handle your money I think you are 100%. You could appeal the competency finding after you get that 100% P&T. From meds you say you are taking I think there is little doubt you have bipolar. I wonder at your effective date since this is what you were discharged under was a mental condition. If you had filed right away you effective date would have been the day after your discharge. That is what I got which was a tiny sum then.

John

[kkarlson]

John,

I certainly don't want to get my hopes up to that level. I don't know if "incompetency" always dicates a 100% rating or not. I would be more than OK with my wife as the fiduciary, but will she need to provide expense reports on a periodic basis? If that is the case, I would probably push back on the determination.

As always, I am hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst case scenario.

Thanks for you input, sir.

Kris

[kkarlson]

MY CLAIM IS COMPLETE AND I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS!!!

I was rated at 70% TPD per my A8P Aware Verification Letter (haven't received the packet in the mail just yet,) but I was caught off guard by something I am hoping someone can shed some light on. It said I am rated 70% with an effective date of December 2012. The problem is that I initiated my claim back in June of 2011... I am missing something here?

Either way, I could not be more excited. My wife and I have a third child on the way in November and now this baby will come into this world without mom and dad having tons of credit card debt

.

This site has been a tremendous and valuable source of information. Being able to share each others stories and lend advise has been such a great thing to have during such trying times. I thank each and every one of you that contributed to this thread. Hopefully this 14 month conversation can help put someone's mind at ease in the future.

Edited June 19, 2013 by kkarlson