Discharged For Panic Disorder

[toolbox]

First off I want to say hello and that it is a relief to have found such a great website. I just got involuntarily separated from the Navy after serving 8 years for panic disorder w/ agoraphobia. No ship would take me cause I was on meds so they adsep'd me out. I sent my claim to VA and was wondering if anyone has any idea what I can expect for a disability rating if anything at all for this condition? Hopefully I will atleast get to get my meds when I run out Thanks for any info you might have,

Nick

[Berta]

Welcome aboard sailor-

You came to the best place in town-

It should be found here:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-....1.1.5.2.109.73

Under the evaluation of mental disorder part-

Lots here veteran- but I suggest you might want to save this to a floppy- those diagnostic codes can be critial to a proper rating-

Also BVA decisions can tell you a lot as to how they will rate you- based on your medical evidence-

(by the way -do you have all of your Service med records?)

This case on Remand might help you see what the VA is looking for-

you might well have enough med evidence from the mil to get an appropriate rating.

http://www.va.gov/vetapp05/files1/0504097.txt

This vet was awarded 100% directly from the BVA for his panic disorder and TDIU:

http://www.va.gov/vetapp94/files2/9410824.txt

Veteran- I sure hope you have made a formal claim to VA on VA form 21-526-within one year after your discharge date-

Have they acknowledged receiving it yet?

BVA decisions -go to

http://www.va.gov/index.htm

click on Board of Appeals on the left ,then the menu will pop up and click on Search Decisions-

put panic disorder into the browser and specific decisions will pop up.

[toolbox]

Thanks alot for all the info and welcome . I got out 10 days ago and have sent my claim to the regional office with a copy of my medical record and separation papers. Still awaiting reciept. I am not sure if I will have to be evaluated at a VA clinic tho. Guess well see, this thing is probably going to take awhile im sure.

Welcome aboard sailor-

You came to the best place in town-

It should be found here:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-....1.1.5.2.109.73

Under the evaluation of mental disorder part-

Lots here veteran- but I suggest you might want to save this to a floppy- those diagnostic codes can be critial to a proper rating-

Also BVA decisions can tell you a lot as to how they will rate you- based on your medical evidence-

(by the way -do you have all of your Service med records?)

This case on Remand might help you see what the VA is looking for-

you might well have enough med evidence from the mil to get an appropriate rating.

http://www.va.gov/vetapp05/files1/0504097.txt

This vet was awarded 100% directly from the BVA for his panic disorder and TDIU:

http://www.va.gov/vetapp94/files2/9410824.txt

Veteran- I sure hope you have made a formal claim to VA on VA form 21-526-within one year after your discharge date-

Have they acknowledged receiving it yet?

BVA decisions -go to

http://www.va.gov/index.htm

click on Board of Appeals on the left ,then the menu will pop up and click on Search Decisions-

put panic disorder into the browser and specific decisions will pop up.

[john999]

Toolbox

You might want to go to a board certified pyschiatrist and let him evaluate your service medical records and write a report to support the highest level of disability possible. The VA has a way of low balling vets even after they accept the obvious service connection. This will cost you something probably but it could be well worth paying a private shrink now so the VA does not short change you. When in doubt the VA will low ball your disability rating. I got 10% in 1972 after being discharged I could not work at all for years.

[Berta]

Toolbox- are you still in touch with or do you have some phone numbers etc of your inservice buddies?

It is always good to try to stay in touch with your unit-many have web sites- and you never know-

down the road a disability could crop up that in not in your SMRs and you might need a buddy statement to prove it stemmed from something in service.

A Brand New Veteran-I am curious-did the mil give you a good processing out briefing? as to filing claims etc-and the so called readjustment to civ life stuff -or did you just get the med discharge and no VA info at all? Berta

[Pete53]

I am service connected 100% for panic disorder. If your agoraphobia keeps you from working you should be also.

Good Luck and the fact that they made you leave should help your claim.

[toolbox]

thanks for all the comments. I am only in touch with a few veterans that have already left the military. In regard to the processing out, it was absolutely about the worst they could do to me. I was up for sea duty orders, got denied by two ships for orders and the detailer immediately decided he wanted me out. From that point on, I was given 30 days to be gone from the military. I was able to get in a TAPS class, so that is about all the info about VA. Atleast they gave me an Honarable discharge with RE-3G code vice RE-4 with a GENERAL. No medical discharge from the Navy, this was an ADMIN SEP. This has been really hard for me, but I am looking to the future and trying to be optimistic about the whole thing. At this point, the Navy is doing a dramatic reduction in force, as part of the new leaner and so called more productive navy. This year 25,000 people have already been given their pink slips just for failing their Physical fitness tests. If you have any kind of mental problem at this time, you will get discharged from the Navy. From what I have seen, it doesnt look like this rule applies to officers only enlisted. The military has done well for me in alot of ways, but it is not the same military I joined, things have changed considerably, and I am glad to be free from all the political bs that I was subject too. It is not enough to just be a hard worker anymore, you have to kiss alot of azz or be a half way decent looking female to get anywhere anymore. Sad but true.

Toolbox- are you still in touch with or do you have some phone numbers etc of your inservice buddies?

It is always good to try to stay in touch with your unit-many have web sites- and you never know-

down the road a disability could crop up that in not in your SMRs and you might need a buddy statement to prove it stemmed from something in service.

A Brand New Veteran-I am curious-did the mil give you a good processing out briefing? as to filing claims etc-and the so called readjustment to civ life stuff -or did you just get the med discharge and no VA info at all? Berta