Help! Bipolar Claim Denied Solely On Genetics

[bluevet]

My C&P doctor gave me a gaf of 53, but he denied service connection and his only reasoning was that bipolar disorder is a genetic condition. This makes no sense since many vets are receiving benefits for this illness. I was chaptered out of the Army with a personality disorder, but I have since been diagnosed with bipolar by 3 different doctors, including the C&P doctor who acknowledges in the report that the Army doctor had diagnosed "personality disorder", He then concurred with the bipolar diagnosis and stated that no other mental illness exists. How can they deny me based solely on this doctor's opinion that bipolar disorder is genetic? I need to find a vet friendly psychiatrist or psychologist to review my records and right a letter. Does anyone know of someone they can recommend? Please private message me if you can recommend someone. Thanks!

[bluevet]

Without coming directly from the RD that is most likely just a part of the reason for denial.

The RD itself is the best way to go to overcome the denial.

RD? I'm not sure what you mean. I have not yet filed my NOD, so I have not received a statement of the case. I was hoping to get an independant medical review (IMO) first so I can properly lay out my NOD. I was asked to post the denial letter, which I did, and I posted the direct quote from the QTC DBQ, but honestly, I'm a bit confused about why. I created this post in the hopes that someone could recommend a good psych professional to perform the IMO and write a nexus letter. I appreciate the advice on how to proceed, but I need help figuring out how to find a good examiner.

Edited January 13, 2014 by bluevet

[carlie]

RD? I'm not sure what you mean. I have not yet filed my NOD, so I have not received a statement of the case. I was hoping to get an independant medical review (IMO) first so I can properly lay out my NOD. I was asked to post the denial letter, which I did, and I posted the direct quote from the QTC DBQ, but honestly, I'm a bit confused about why. I created this post in the hopes that someone could recommend a good psych professional to perform the IMO and write a nexus letter. I appreciate the advice on how to proceed, but I need help figuring out how to find a good examiner.

RD = Rating Decision.

The way to garner SC of a denied issue is to knock down / attack / present probable and credible evidence,

that overcomes the reason/s for the prior denial's.

Without knowing all and exactly what denial's state - one is kind of left in the dark as to what exactly

is needed to win. Sure, you can find someone to do a dog and pony show and write an IMO, but if the

IMO is merely duplicative or cumulative evidence - it will not help advance your claim issues.

I still see a huge hurdle with being chaptered out due to a personality disorder.

Was any severance pay provided when you were discharged ?

I wish I knew of a doc to refer you to but I don't, so I can't try to help out on that part.

I can only reply with what I know to try and overcome your denial but have to know all

of what the fight is - to include the original reasons and bases for the denial, prior to the

re-opened claim.

Of course if the ONLY reason for denial of bipolar,is being a genetic predisposition can be knocked down,

but I think the biggest hurdle is going to be a change in diagnosis from pd to bi-polar.

Perhaps other's will chime in some more.

[Berta]

I found a few IMO docs on google and some vets here have gotten the type of IMO you need.

The IMO doctor will need the 201 file as well as all SMRs and copies of VA C & P exams results as well as the decision.

http://www.ellisclinic.com/

http://www.forensic-psych.com/

https://www.imei.com/

Also Dr. Craig Bash (who as done many SVR shows here in our SVR radio archives)

might be able to refer you to someone:

http://www.veteransmedadvisor.com/list.html

You stated:

“but I have since been diagnosed with bipolar by 3 different doctors, “

and I think if you contacted any of those doctors, familiar with your disability and the opbvious expertise to diagnose it, then maybe one of them would be the best bet for an IMO.

In your case ,the diagnosis is not the problem but the inservice nexus is.

Here is the full IMO criteria they need to follow:

You can request a copy of your 201 file and ask them for any disciplinary actions reports at

http://www.archives.gov/

Maybe best to call it the Personnel file. I think maybe only USN and USMC call it a 201.

Click on the Veterans Service Records button , fill out the SF 180, keep copy of it, print off the thing with the bar code that needs your signature, sign and copy that and send it to where the form directs you to.

[bluevet]

I found a few IMO docs on google and some vets here have gotten the type of IMO you need.

The IMO doctor will need the 201 file as well as all SMRs and copies of VA C & P exams results as well as the decision.

http://www.ellisclinic.com/

http://www.forensic-psych.com/

https://www.imei.com/

Also Dr. Craig Bash (who as done many SVR shows here in our SVR radio archives)

might be able to refer you to someone:

http://www.veteransmedadvisor.com/list.html

You stated:

“but I have since been diagnosed with bipolar by 3 different doctors, “

and I think if you contacted any of those doctors, familiar with your disability and the opbvious expertise to diagnose it, then maybe one of them would be the best bet for an IMO.

In your case ,the diagnosis is not the problem but the inservice nexus is.

Here is the full IMO criteria they need to follow:

You can request a copy of your 201 file and ask them for any disciplinary actions reports at

http://www.archives.gov/

Maybe best to call it the Personnel file. I think maybe only USN and USMC call it a 201.

Click on the Veterans Service Records button , fill out the SF 180, keep copy of it, print off the thing with the bar code that needs your signature, sign and copy that and send it to where the form directs you to.

Thanks a bunch Berta! Very helpful!

[bluevet]

RD = Rating Decision.

The way to garner SC of a denied issue is to knock down / attack / present probable and credible evidence,

that overcomes the reason/s for the prior denial's.

Without knowing all and exactly what denial's state - one is kind of left in the dark as to what exactly

is needed to win. Sure, you can find someone to do a dog and pony show and write an IMO, but if the

IMO is merely duplicative or cumulative evidence - it will not help advance your claim issues.

I still see a huge hurdle with being chaptered out due to a personality disorder.

Was any severance pay provided when you were discharged ?

I wish I knew of a doc to refer you to but I don't, so I can't try to help out on that part.

I can only reply with what I know to try and overcome your denial but have to know all

of what the fight is - to include the original reasons and bases for the denial, prior to the

re-opened claim.

Of course if the ONLY reason for denial of bipolar,is being a genetic predisposition can be knocked down,

but I think the biggest hurdle is going to be a change in diagnosis from pd to bi-polar.

Perhaps other's will chime in some more.

I understand what you are saying, but I do not need to have my diagnosis changed. All I need is Psychiatrist or Psychologist who has reviewed my entire medical history and is willing to state that they believe the PD diagnosis was made in error and that my in service hospitalization was more likely than not a manifestation of BPD. I have done extensive research including reading many appeals citations and this seems to be the avenue to pursue, barring any other issues that I made find once I receive the RD and statement of the case. Thanks

[carlie]

I understand what you are saying, but I do not need to have my diagnosis changed. All I need is Psychiatrist or Psychologist who has reviewed my entire medical history and is willing to state that they believe the PD diagnosis was made in error and that my in service hospitalization was more likely than not a manifestation of BPD. I have done extensive research including reading many appeals citations and this seems to be the avenue to pursue, barring any other issues that I made find once I receive the RD and statement of the case. Thanks

If the military booted you out for a PD and years afterwards doc's are saying they feel you really never

had a PD and you actually have bipolar - THAT is a change in diagnosis.

I still feel there is importance in knowing if there was any severance pay provided when

you were chaptered out for PD.

Also, by chance do you receive SSDI ?

jmho