Should I File A Claim?

[USNAVYGIRL]

Hi. I'm a long time reader, but this is my first post.

Here is my situation:

Served USN from July 2007-July 2008. I was discharged for mental condition. While in service, I attempted suicide, and after being in the ward on base for twelve days, I was released, diagnosed with adjustment disorder with disturbance in mood/depressed mood. (I've just recently noticed that on the paperwork from the emergency department, my diagnosis says: acute adjustment disorder/medically cleared whatever that means.)

Anywho, five years later in early Nov 2013, I started seeing a psychiatrist, because the depression became too much. He prescribed me Concerta, saying that it would help with my anxiety and depression, but it didn't. I attempted suicide yet again. I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, recurrent, severe. I stayed in the ward for five days this time.

I spent the past five years without seeking treatment, because my husband didn't know about my depression or past suicide attempt. He is avidly against people who commit suicide(for religious reasons), and I didn't want him to leave me. However, because my depression has kept me from working all of these years, he wants a divorce because he says 'he needs someone who can provide for the family alongside him, because the stress of providing for our family(me, him, and our son) is just too much. He's a marine, btw.

I'm wondering if I have enough for a claim, or if I should even try?

Oh, and I'm seeing a new psychiatrist starting Wednesday. I had to move out of my husband's house to start official separation, and so I had to change psychiatrists. I'm bringing my paperwork for DBQ to him along with my SMR's and my civilian medical record.

I guess my question is, should I even try and file? Or should I not waste my time because of the five years where I didn't seek treatment?

Also, no matter if I go through with the claim or not, I'll continue to seek treatment, as I desperately need it.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[Navy04]

As long as you have the medical evidence to prove that it is service connected, then I would go ahead and submit a claim. Anytime you have a question, just ask on here, there are a lot of good members on this site. He have all been thru the trenches of life. God bless and good luck.

[JT24usn]

You will need an IMO showing the current condition is the same as in service condition. 3.309(a) seems to be out as far as psychotic features to a conpensable degree of 10% or greater within one year of separation. So definitely the IMO route. You'd probably get a c and p but who knows how those dice will lay. The IMO would help and if it isn't favorable you don't have to submit the IMO. This is just my humble opinion.

[Philip Rogers]

I agree on the IMO but if you can't afford one, file the claim now and start saving for the IMO. You should try and get affidavits from spouse and friends that confirm your actions, that they may have witnessed, in the meantime. jmo

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[71M10]

DId they Discharge you for a Personality DIsorder??

How close to your initial entry was your first episode. I ask because if it was very close, your IMO provider needs to agressively state that no Mental Disorder was diagnosed prior to service.

I assume you didn't have anything noted for MH on your enlistment physical?

[USNAVYGIRL]

They reason for discharge is stated as mental condion. In my smr's axis 1 is adjustment disorder disorder. Axis two is personality disorder. My suicide attempt happened ten months into service, and i had no history of mental conditions before my military service..

[john999]

File a claim now. Your new treating doctor can review your files and write a letter for you. I would get my medical records from the first shrink as well as any hospital records. This is evidence of current disability. You will need a shrink to write a letter connecting your current illness to your service. What was the nature of your discharge....medical, straight honorable, ???