Va Diagnosed Major Depression

[TLaff]

I am diagnosed by VA mental health Doc with Major Depression secondary to GMC, axis I pain disorder with both Psychological factors and General Medical Condition, axis II deferred axis iii GERD, shoulder arthralgia, degeneration of cervical intervetebrae axis Iv chronic pain loss of functioning axis V GAF 50-55

I have a claim in for Major Depression,

Two questions are 1. I was diagnosed by VA Ment Health Doc, i take meds for depression, will i still get a C&P exam since it was a VA Doc that diagnosed me or will they just rate me???

2. Any idea what rating i should be looking to get???

[cnocmmz]

On 1/9/2013 at 1:25 PM, TLaff said:

I am diagnosed by VA mental health Doc with Major Depression secondary to GMC, axis I pain disorder with both Psychological factors and General Medical Condition, axis II deferred axis iii GERD, shoulder arthralgia, degeneration of cervical intervetebrae axis Iv chronic pain loss of functioning axis V GAF 50-55

 

I have a claim in for Major Depression,

 

Two questions are 1. I was diagnosed by VA Ment Health Doc, i take meds for depression, will i still get a C&P exam since it was a VA Doc that diagnosed me or will they just rate me???

 

2. Any idea what rating i should be looking to get???

A few options, mental health claims normally, rate at 10, 30,50,70,100.  If you can prove that you cannot work than thak changes the game at 60% getting paid at 100%

[dolfanbls]

Hopefully you will get at least 30%, I was given 10% for mine and was just awarded 30% after appeal. I was rated for Major Depressive Disorder secondary to pain. I have an attorney and they have put in for a DRO hearing for an increase as my C&P exam notes show an evaluation of 70%. Don't give up and peruse what you think is favorable to your case.

[Guest L]

TLaff - online classes is how I got my degree - self paced at home. This would be a "reasonable" accommodation for your issues/education goals. 

[Big Papa]

 

If the GMC IS a service connected condition, then yes the probabilities are high.  If the GMC IS NOT service connected then no service connection can be granted as the MDD is not directly caused by military service or adjunct to an established SC disability.  A C&P exam may be ordered if rating officer feels that provided medical evidence is inconclusive, weak or to verify.  If service connection IS established, then the VA will rate based on symptomatology and limitations caused by the MDD. 

Edited July 21, 2017 by Big Papa (see edit history)

[john999]

I am pretty sure you will get a C&P. Are you able to work? That is really the question that will decide your rating.

[WhyMista]

Actually with MDD they may not make you do one because it's depression is probably one else of the simplest disorders to understand and diagnose.

[TLaff]

I am pretty sure you will get a C&P. Are you able to work? That is really the question that will decide your rating.

My work has suffered considerably, i have provided proof submitted as evidence that i have sold alot of equipment because i can not do the work anymore that i use to and i do very little work in the last year. I am self employed carpet cleaner and i have had to have my step son do what little work i have only to finish a contract so i dont get sued. I have quit advertising, bills are behind with collection letters.

[TLaff]

I am pretty sure you will get a C&P. Are you able to work? That is really the question that will decide your rating.

I have not worked in the last 4 months personally.

[WhyMista]

Not working and being unable to work are two very different things.

The psychologist/psychiatrist (depending on who you see) will have to determine that your mdd causes significant distress and/or impairment.

[WhyMista]

Also you may want to gather up anything that proves your work has suffered so in the case the comp and pen doesn't come out favorably you have something that you can use as evidence in your favor

[TLaff]

Also you may want to gather up anything that proves your work has suffered so in the case the comp and pen doesn't come out favorably you have something that you can use as evidence in your favor

Understand, but i believe the fact that a VA Doc diagnosed me and i take two meds for it i dont think they shoould deny it.

[WhyMista]

Understand, but i believe the fact that a VA Doc diagnosed me and i take two meds for it i dont think they shoould deny it.

Most of us were diagnosed by either the va or dod and plenty get denied or a low rating. If it was that cut and dry there wouldn't be a need for all the work and time people have to put in to get what they deserve

[john999]

They may not deny it but you need to think about your percentage rating. If you can't work due to MDD then you should apply for TDIU. MDD is on the scale of a psychotic disorder, so you should get at least 30%. If you have recently attempted suicide it would be more (not to encourage you). What meds do you take? What are your major symptoms? You may need an IMO/IME at some point if they low ball you. I had the DX of bipolar disorder and then MDD later on, so what matters is how the disorder affects your ability to socialize and work.

John

[WhyMista]

You would have to have another diagnosis to have psychotic symptoms. MDD doesn't, bipolar I&II would possibly but otherwise that wouldn't fit. Unless he had catatonic symptoms.

It's always better to end up not needing an IMO or anything else you gather up than to need it and not have it and end up stuck appealing for the next few years.

They may not deny it but you need to think about your percentage rating. If you can't work due to MDD then you should apply for TDIU. MDD is on the scale of a psychotic disorder, so you should get at least 30%. If you have recently attempted suicide it would be more (not to encourage you). What meds do you take? What are your major symptoms? You may need an IMO/IME at some point if they low ball you. I had the DX of bipolar disorder and then MDD later on, so what matters is how the disorder affects your ability to socialize and work.

John

[TLaff]

They may not deny it but you need to think about your percentage rating. If you can't work due to MDD then you should apply for TDIU. MDD is on the scale of a psychotic disorder, so you should get at least 30%. If you have recently attempted suicide it would be more (not to encourage you). What meds do you take? What are your major symptoms? You may need an IMO/IME at some point if they low ball you. I had the DX of bipolar disorder and then MDD later on, so what matters is how the disorder affects your ability to socialize and work.

John

My doc's have told me that i need to quit doing the work that i do and its all ive done for the past 27 years, i got approved to go to school through the VA but had to postpone it because of my back and migraines, i can not sit or stand for more than twenty minutes at a time. I have been diagnosed with daily cervionic neadaches/migraines in which i take meds for and pain meds. My most recent mri states iv gotten worse and now i do not believe i could manage going to school because of sitting, standing and concentration due to headaches. I guess i should apply for TDIU but i guess its just the fact of realizing i cant work anymore, ive been a hard worker all my life and im one of those people that get pissed off when i hear an unemployed nonworking person who already has kids not paying child support and they are getting food stamps and assistance and they just dont want to work to find they are now having another baby that i and every other tax payer is paying for.

Any idea how long it takes to get TDIU? Dr. Bash has already given me an IME stating i should file for it.

[Berta]

"Any idea how long it takes to get TDIU? Dr. Bash has already given me an IME stating i should file for it."

File the 21-8940 as soon as you are officially unemployed.

Lots of info here regarding the TDIU form.

[john999]

Major Depressive Disorder is a psychotic disorder since it is a major mental disorder and incapacitates people. People who are severely depressed may hear voices. They may have delusions. They may have hallucinations. They may attempt suicide. A neurotic depression ( non-psychotic) is the one that is treated by a dose of prozac and the person gets back in the swing of things. Major depressions can last for months and can put a person flat on their back. Major depressives often abuse alcohol and may kill themselves by accident by mixing pills and alcohol. The person who reacts to some upset by staying in bed for three months has a major depression. The bipolar person often may go from a major depression to mania. They can be psychotic during depressed state or manic state. It can be a fine line according to some VA doctor but I have know quite a few very depressed people, and you know it when you see it and hear it.

John

[WhyMista]

If someone experiences any psychotic symptoms they are not because of depression there is a comorbid condition. Bipolar people during mania can experience psychotic episodes. That is NOT because of depression. They may also have a psychotic disorder. There are no psychotic symptoms for depression. If anything depression causes negative symptoms which is to say it does the opposite of what positive symptoms do which causes an excess of a common emotion or act.

Major Depressive Disorder is a psychotic disorder since it is a major mental disorder and incapacitates people. People who are severely depressed may hear voices. They may have delusions. They may have hallucinations. They may attempt suicide. A neurotic depression ( non-psychotic) is the one that is treated by a dose of prozac and the person gets back in the swing of things. Major depressions can last for months and can put a person flat on their back. Major depressives often abuse alcohol and may kill themselves by accident by mixing pills and alcohol. The person who reacts to some upset by staying in bed for three months has a major depression. The bipolar person often may go from a major depression to mania. They can be psychotic during depressed state or manic state. It can be a fine line according to some VA doctor but I have know quite a few very depressed people, and you know it when you see it and hear it.

John

[TLaff]

If someone experiences any psychotic symptoms they are not because of depression there is a comorbid condition. Bipolar people during mania can experience psychotic episodes. That is NOT because of depression. They may also have a psychotic disorder. There are no psychotic symptoms for depression. If anything depression causes negative symptoms which is to say it does the opposite of what positive symptoms do which causes an excess of a common emotion or act.

This is me> Major depressives often abuse alcohol and may kill themselves by accident by mixing pills and alcohol, i drink every day and my family worries i will kill myself by drinking and taking the wrong meds. I dont really want to drink but no matter who tells you (drinking does not get you good sleep) I say BULLSHIT it helps you get to sleep when your constantly in pain.

[WhyMista]

This is me> Major depressives often abuse alcohol and may kill themselves by accident by mixing pills and alcohol, i drink every day and my family worries i will kill myself by drinking and taking the wrong meds. I dont really want to drink but no matter who tells you (drinking does not get you good sleep) I say BULLSHIT it helps you get to sleep when your constantly in pain.

I went through the drinking to go to sleep thing for four years. Its hard to stop but I was glad that I never would mix pills and drink.

If your depression is that severe that you can't work, you're unable to basically function it should be close to what the highest %. It seems from the threads that I have that people get rated better for MDD than PTSD