Mental Health Exam

[dav_marine72]

Hey Everyone,

Wow I thought I'd seen it all, not even close. So I go for my sixth mental health exam in nine years. I'm still on appeal from original 30% then bumped to 50%. The CAVC ordered another round of exams for everything. I normally have the exam done by the same doctor at the medical facility I go to. Well apparently he was backed up so they send me to the other facility in CT. I filled out the doctor's intake form and clearly checked / stated I don't have a TBI and that I do have suicidal tendencies but not currently. So she conducts her exam. To my dismay she never asked me about suicidal tendencies or suicide at all. I don't share well and wasn't going to bring the topic up myself. It makes me feel weak that at times I do consider it because I get tired of living in constant pain. She also bluntly asked me what I was looking to get out of the exam. I told her I was on appeal since 2005 for this one and was looking for a higher rating based on the evidence and my symptoms. She was like but your already 100%. I said yes but I'm 94% on the schedule and want 100% so I can work and not get screwed with. I also stated that back pay was at stake. Mind you I struggle with work but I struggle more with my mind not working of some sort.

So she writes in her exam report, veteran is here today seeking a 100% rating for mental health service connection. At this time the Veteran does not meet any criteria set forth in the DSM for a mental condition. I believe his daily anxiety and panic attacks are a result of detoxing in between his opiate doses. I feel if he was on proper dosing of opiates his mental issues would disappear. She also states in her exam I have a TBI. Then as a final kick you when your down (remember this is an increase exam) she finishes her report by saying I do not believe the Veterans mental health symptoms are due to his military service.

Well first let me say I am on 120 mgs of Morphine and 25 mgs of dilaudid daily. I don't think more opiates are the answer. Second I love how she twisted my words and made me look like a scammer asking for 100% for my mental condition which I don't believe I rate. 70% is what my lawyer and I were shooting for based on my symptoms. Third my mental condition is secondary to my back condition. Fourth she voided the exam by stating I had a TBI and not discussing my suicidal tendencies. Fifth detoxing between doses? It's called severe back and leg pain from a failed 3 level fusion. So I went through that BS just to have the exam thrown out. Gotta love it!

[Navy04]

DAV,

My sister lives in Bloomfield, 10 minutes from Hartford. Sorry to hear of your troubles. I had 6 C&P exams last week for my FDC increase, one being PTSD increase, because I was lowballed by the VA last year, since I was being Medically Retired from the Navy. I was so Nervous, but she turned out to be a good Doc. My Crohn's Doc tried to screw me a while back and say that my Crohn's Disease, which is SC and why the Navy retired me, was due to my DNA, WTH! I showed the VA where I had Parasites in OIF/OEF and South America. Those dang Docs, don't realize that what they see as little words, hurt us largely in the long run. Now you run the risk of the VA taking away your %s and blaming everything on you. You need to go to that VA where the Exam was held, and inform them that the Examiner conducted Exam in an appropriate manner, and you would like to request another C&P exam for PTSD increase. You just have to fill out a few forms and await the VAs response. Good luck and God bless. Try to have a good weekend and keep us posted.

[john999]

Marine-72

That was a bad exam. You need an IME to offset what that prostitute had to say about you. I can say that not bringing up your suicidal thoughts was a mistake. You need to take control of the exam and stay on symptoms. Telling the exam doctor you want to bump you rating up to scheduler 100% so you can keep working was a mistake. Mentioning money to a C&P exam doctor is like admitting you are there for a check. When she asked you what you wanted out of the exam you perhaps should have said "help with my mental problems" and then just play dumb. She showed her bias right off the bat. Now you have to worry about the VA trying to reduce your rating based on this prostitute doctor's report.

This so-called doctor was out to screw you, so this is not your fault. Just please never mention money, work, or backpay again at an exam. You are asking for an increase because your symptoms match the evidence for an increase. Ask yourself if you are totally disabled due to your mental health issues? If not don't go for any more exams at the VA for mental health unless you have IME's/IMO's saying you are 100% disabled by service connected mental health issues.

[Navy04]

John is right on the money bud. I always tell the Psych Docs, that I wish I was better and not have to be there at all. I was molested when I was a kid, and I made a mistake once and mentioned it to Navy Doc. Luckily it never made it to my Medical Record and no note of it anywhere. Even if we get 100% VA, it is not a lot of money, but if you mention 1$ to the VA, a Red Flag goes off and the Docs somehow think that we are there to get rich, Lol. Good luck and wish you the best

[dav_marine72]

All good points. Thanks everyone. The RO already said based on her exam there was not enough evidence to reduce my 50% so they know it's BS.

[dav_marine72]

I know I shouldn't tell the truth especially about wanting 100 on the schedule. I have a hard time playing it up. I know it's not really playing it up its showing how you are when your guard down. I don't do well showing anyone, especially a stranger my disabilities. I know, I know. It's almost over anyway. At 94% I don't need much more in increases to shut them up. As long as I keep P&T my kids will get money for school which is well deserved for putting up with my moodiness from the pain and mental symptoms. I don't know if anyone understands where I am coming but I am what I am LOL.

[Navy04]

DAV,

We are on your side all the way. We know that none of us that truly are sick, are fakeing it for the VA, it is just sad that we have to keep proving our disabilities to the VA, therefore having to watch every word that we say.