Mental Health C&p Results, Any Opinions Appreciated.

[jeffs17]

1. Diagnosis

a. Does the veteran now have or has he/she ever been diagnosed with a mental

disorder(s)?

[X] Yes

Diagnosis #1: Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Moderate

Indicate the Axis category:

[X] Axis 1

Diagnosis #2: Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Indicate the Axis category:

[X] Axis 1

b. Axis III - medical diagnosis: Pain (shoulder, wrist, knee)

c. Axis IV- Psychosocial and Environmental Problems:

Financial stress, medical problems

d. Axis V - Current global assessment of functioning (GAF) score: 45

2. Differentiations of symptoms

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a. Does the veteran have more than one mental disorder diagnosed?

[X] Yes

b. Is it possible to differentiate what symptoms(s) is/are attributable to

each diagnosis?

[X] Yes

There is some symptom overlap between depression and anxiety.

3. Occupational and social impairment

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a. Which of the following best summarizes the Veteran's level of occupational and social impairment in regards to all mental

diagnoses?

[X} Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking

and/or mood.

The Veteran's functional impairments are believed to be the result of the cumulative effects of both mental health conditions.

Also both conditions developed in response to the physical limitations associated with the Veteran's medical problems(wrist, shoulder

knee injuries.)

For VA rating purposes, check all symptoms that apply to Veteran's diagnosis:

[X} Depressed mood

[X] Anxiety

[X] Suspiciousness

[X] Panic attacks more than once a week

[X] Chronic sleep impairment

[X] Mild memory loss, such as forgetting names, directions or recent events.

[X] Disturbances of motivation and mood

[X] Difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships

[X] Difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or work like setting

[X] Suicidal ideation

5. Competency

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Is the Veteran capable of managing his or her financial affairs?

[X] Yes

Based on all the evidence available it is my opinion that the Veteran's symptoms are at least likely as not (50% or greater probability)

due to or the result of his service connected right shoulder and multiple left/hand wrist fractures. Specifically, the Veteran's symptoms

are believed to be the direct result of the physical limitations related to his medical conditions. His initial depression and anxiety regarding this fact has progressed over time as his injury is not yet repaired and he has been out of work over a year. It is believed that

both the Major Depressive Disorder and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder are contributing equally to moderate to severe impairments

in the Veteran's social and occupational functioning. Although he is not currently working, it is believed that his depressed mood and

anxiety would make it unlikely that he would be able to work reliably and efficiently in either a physical or sedentary job at this time.

The Veteran began receiving treatment for anxiety and depression in January 2013. With additional treatment he may see symptom reduction and a increase in functioning , however, at this time his symptoms remain moderate to severe and have drastically reduced this Veteran's quality of life.

[Tinker]

I did exactly what you said and yes it moved from Gathering evidence to Prep for decision on the 9th, now it went back to gathering evidence and is being transferred to St. Louis. Thank you for your input.

[iceturkee]

This part:

** Although he is not currently working, it is believed that his depressed mood and

anxiety would make it unlikely that he would be able to work reliably and efficiently in either a physical or sedentary job at this time.

might get you 100 percent or IU, if not, my guess would be 70 percent due to the following,

Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting); inability to establish and maintain effective relationships . . . . 70 percent

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=f8ab095299dbc23829eebc69a01f8ac6&rgn=div8&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.2.111.73&idno=38

the shrink who did my mental health c&p wrote basically the same thing about my ability to work got me 30% and deferred IU (which was awarded 4 months later).

[jdman]

My appeal mirrors your claim. My GAF was 45 along with the same symptoms. I was just recently given 70%.

[jeffs17]

just jumped to prep for decision on Friday

[iceturkee]

I still have to wait for treatment records from my private ortho doc for my knee then I guess it will go to the rater, so still waiting, tinker as far as why your c&p is not released yet who knows, somebody with more knowledge then me will chime in hopefully.

jeff

i had similar quotes on mine and got 30 percent. however, one remark on that exam got me c&p exams for IU, which i eventually received.

[john999]

Do you have a private medical opinion that support TDIU? If you don't get 70% and TDIU I would go get an IMO/IME. I would not rely on only the VA to win a MH claim. Even when you need a VA doctor to DX PTSD you can get IMO to show the severity of the condition. Since mental health ratings are pretty subjective I would buy me an opinion just like the VA does. A good IMO doctor knows what you are paying for and it is not a low ball rating.

John