C&p For New Claim Before C&p From Remand...

[justrluk]

The VA amazes me at times. I was just notified of a C&P for an increase filed 3/25/2014 (FDC) scheduled for the 25th of this month. I have yet to hear about a C&P for a remanded issue with a remand date of 4/24/2013.

[justrluk]

Mike -

Thanks for the feedback. I just pulled a copy of my results and don't know if I should take this as a good thing or not:

LOCAL TITLE: COMPENSATION & PENSION EXAM
STANDARD TITLE: C & P EXAMINATION NOTE
Mental Disorders
(other than PTSD and Eating Disorders)
Disability Benefits Questionnaire
SECTION I:
----------
1. Diagnosis
------------
a. Does the Veteran now have or has he/she ever been diagnosed with a mental
disorder(s)?
[X] Yes[ ] No
If the Veteran currently has one or more mental disorders that conform to
DSM-5 criteria, provide all diagnoses:
Mental Disorder Diagnosis #1: Bipolar II Disorder This is a progression of
the patient's service connected diagnosis of depression.
b. Medical diagnoses relevant to the understanding or management of the
Mental Health Disorder (to include TBI): None.
2. Differentiation of symptoms
------------------------------
a. Does the Veteran have more than one mental disorder diagnosed?
[ ] Yes[X] No
b. Is it possible to differentiate what symptom(s) is/are attributable to
each diagnosis?
No response provided.
c. Does the Veteran have a diagnosed traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
[ ] Yes[ ] No[X] Not shown in records reviewed
d. Is it possible to differentiate what symptom(s) is/are attributable to
each diagnosis?
No response provided.
3. Occupational and social impairment
-------------------------------------
a. Which of the following best summarizes the Veteran's level of
occupational
and social impairment with regards to all mental diagnoses? (Check only
one)
[X] Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas,
such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking and/or
mood
b. For the indicated level of occupational and social impairment, is it
possible to differentiate what portion of the occupational and social
impairment indicated above is caused by each mental disorder?
[ ] Yes[ ] No[X] No other mental disorder has been diagnosed
c. If a diagnosis of TBI exists, is it possible to differentiate what
portion
of the occupational and social impairment indicated above is caused by
the
TBI?
[ ] Yes[ ] No[X] No diagnosis of TBI
SECTION II:
-----------
Clinical Findings:
------------------
1. Evidence review
------------------
a. Medical record review:
-------------------------
Was the Veteran's VA e-folder (VBMS or Virtual VA) reviewed? Yes
Was the Veteran's VA claims file reviewed? No
If no, check all records reviewed:
[ ] Military service treatment records
[ ] Military service personnel records
[ ] Military enlistment examination
[ ] Military separation examination
[ ] Military post-deployment questionnaire
[ ] Department of Defense Form 214 Separation Documents
[X] Veterans Health Administration medical records (VA treatment
records)
[ ] Civilian medical records
[ ] Interviews with collateral witnesses (family and others who have
known the Veteran before and after military service)
[ ] No records were reviewed
[ ] Other:
b. Was pertinent information from collateral sources reviewed? No
2. History
----------
a. Relevant Social/Marital/Family history (pre-military, military, and
post-military):
The pt. has been married for 20 years and has a good relationship with
his wife. He has two twin sons ages 13 years old and a 9 year old son. The
pt. enjoys spending time with his children and going out with his family
to dinner and the movies. However, due to his bipolar symptoms he does
not socialize outside of his family.
b. Relevant Occupational and Educational history (pre-military, military,
and post-military):
c. Relevant Mental Health history, to include prescribed medications and
family mental health (pre-military, military, and post-military):
The pt. is being treated at the VAMC for the diagnosis of bipolar
disorder. His symptoms are quite severe and are having a very
significant negative impact on his job performance. He has times of feeling so
depressed that he stays in bed, cannot concentrate, and avoids
interacting with people. His mood will swing, over a few month time range, and he
will become hypomanic and the loss of sleep will then have a negative
impact on his job performance. The pt. has also started having
nightmares and is thrashing in his sleep to the point that his wife is fearful of
being hurt. The pt. is prescribed divalproex, bupropion, and prazosin.
d. Relevant Legal and Behavioral history (pre-military, military, and
post-military):
Negative.
e. Relevant Substance abuse history (pre-military, military, and
post-military):
Negative.
f. Other, if any:
No response provided.
3. Symptoms
-----------
For VA rating purposes, check all symptoms that apply to the Veteran's
diagnoses:
[X] Depressed mood
[X] Anxiety
[X] Chronic sleep impairment
[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
a worklike setting
Behavioral observations:
The pt. was dressed in casual clothing, was oriented X 4, maintained
good eye contact, and was quite pleasant and sincere.
4. Other symptoms
-----------------
Does the Veteran have any other symptoms attributable to mental disorders
that are not listed above?
[ ] Yes[X] No
5. Competency
-------------
Is the Veteran capable of managing his or her financial affairs?
[X] Yes[ ] No
6. Remarks (including any testing results), if any:
---------------------------------------------------
No remarks provided.

It's hard reading that in print....

[justrluk]

Now (Tuesday, 29 July 2014) at "PREPARATION FOR NOTIFICATION". I feel a rapid denial coming...

[justrluk]

I just checked eBenefits: now rated at 100%. No letter or package yet, but it goes to show you: even in the middle of a remand, file for increases if you feel you are warrented. I filed in April, and just saw the change in percentages. My best to all - I can sleep now!

[Navy04]

Hay Great News Bud,

It looks like it all went well. Boy glad to hear some good news, you Ole Looney Tune, LOL! Everytime I see your Profile Pic of Murray it makes me laugh. He sure was off his rocker in those 80s movies. Take a breath and enjoy your life, even if it is only for a short while. God Bless, when good Vets get the Good news, it makes my day too.

[justrluk]

Thanks, Navy! Groundhog day was on the other night. It's one of my Bill Murry favorites. Plus, I'm from an hour and a half or so north east of Punxsutawney, PA, which has a whole different meaning for me... I haven't seen the package yet, so I don't know if I'm P&T or what yet. I'll have to wait until next week to see when it comes. Thanks for all your support!

[Jeffersonrl68]

CONGRATS!!! You should be rated 100% P(permanent) & T (total). With that being said you will also qualifty to received your social security, Property tax exemption for primary resident in the State you're currently living, Full college tuition(the state inwhich you live) paid for your ALL of your dependents plus a monthly stipend, some national parks(free admiission w/id cards), stores that participates at least 10%-20% off purchases and some hotel chains, FREE DAV tags for two vehicles, 10K life insurance policy VA pays the premium, if you're retired they will have to do an audit before you can receive your retro(providing they back dated your claim)...it can take anywhere from 2 weeks of receiving official letter up to 6 months.....etc.

Again CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!