C@p For Depression Results. Opinions Please

[killemall]

I erased the very personal stuff

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: Major Depressive Disorder recurrent moderate
296.32

b. Medical diagnoses relevant to the understanding or management of the
Mental Health Disorder (to include TBI): No response provided.
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[X] No[ ] 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 occasional decrease in work
efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform
occupational tasks, although generally functioning satisfactorily,
with normal routine behavior, self-care and conversation

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? Yes

If yes, list any records that were reviewed but were not included in the
Veteran's VA claims file:

none

b. Was pertinent information from collateral sources reviewed? No




c. Relevant Mental Health history, to include prescribed medications and
family mental health (pre-military, military, and post-military):
Prior to service: He did not experience significant medical concerns and
was not hospitalized. The veteran denied psychiatric concerns and there
is no known family hi
story of psychiatric concerns.

During service: The veteran did not engage in psychiatric treatment.

Current: The veteran is not currently engaged in psychiatric care. He
is
not taking psychiatric medication. The veteran was encouraged to seek
treatment at the VA to which he agreed.


d. Relevant Legal and Behavioral history (pre-military, military, and
post-military):


e. Relevant Substance abuse history (pre-military, military, and
post-military):
The veteran denied substance abuse prior to service.

The veteran denied substance abuse in the service.

He denied current substance abuse.


f. Other, if any:
The veteran denied suicidal ideation.


3. Symptoms
-----------
For VA rating purposes, check all symptoms that apply to the Veteran's
diagnoses:

[X] Anxiety
[X] Chronic sleep impairment

4. Other symptoms
-----------------
Does the Veteran have any other symptoms attributable to mental disorders
that are not listed above?
[X] Yes[ ] No

If yes, describe:
fatigue, impaired concentration and diminished interest.


5. Competency
-------------
Is the Veteran capable of managing his or her financial affairs?
[X] Yes[ ] No

6. Remarks (including any testing results), if any:
---------------------------------------------------
Is the veteran's depression, if diagnosed, at least as likely as not a
result
of his hearing loss?

Depression is not caused by hearing loss. The veteran is upset that he
experiences hearing loss but Major Depressive Disorder is not caused by or a
result of his feeling state with regard to hearing loss. The etiology of
Major Depressive Disorder is organic in nature and related to brain
chemistry
with a strong genetic component. Major Depressive Disorder is less likely
than not caused by or a result of hearing loss.

Is the veteran's anxiety, if diagnosed, at least as likely as not due to his
tinnitus?

The veteran does not meet criteria for an anxiety disorder. Anxiety is not
caused by or a result of tinnitus.

Please note that this evaluation was conducted to meet the standards and
criteria for a Veterans Administration's DBQ Compensation and Pension Exam.
Its use for other purposes should be done with caution. Future clinicians
may wish to consider conducting further evaluations for other diagnostic
purposes.

[JT24usn]

"--------------------------------------------------

Is the veteran's depression, if diagnosed, at least as likely as not a

result

of his hearing loss?

Depression is not caused by hearing loss. The veteran is upset that he

experiences hearing loss but Major Depressive Disorder is not caused by or a

result of his feeling state with regard to hearing loss. The etiology of

Major Depressive Disorder is organic in nature and related to brain

chemistry

with a strong genetic component. Major Depressive Disorder is less likely

than not caused by or a result of hearing loss.

Is the veteran's anxiety, if diagnosed, at least as likely as not due to his

tinnitus?

The veteran does not meet criteria for an anxiety disorder. Anxiety is not

caused by or a result of tinnitus."

Might need a strong IMO for this one. Sorry. Jmho

[killemall]

Any idea on possible rating if I can get an imo

[georgiapapa]

Have to agree with JT24usn. Also, the fact that you have not been receiving treatment and have not been taking psychiatric medications does not help your claims.

The doctor states tinnitus does not cause anxiety. I have had tinnitus for over 40 years and I believe it causes me to have anxiety. I have also heard of veterans suffering from depression caused by their tinnitus. I would definitely try to get a strong IMO from a private psychologist.

Most important of all, I would focus on getting treatment for your mental health issues as soon as you can.

Good luck to you.

[NavyWife]

The examiner said "less likely than not" so that's a denial right there. He did not give you the needed nexus statement.

Lots of people get depressed from hearing loss. This exam is BS!

In order to get ANY rating percentage you need the nexus statement first. If you get an IMO, make sure the doc gives you a nexus statement with full medical rationale or reasons why.

I'm assuming you filed for "depression and or anxiety, secondary to hearing loss and or tinnitus". Is that correct?

[killemall]

Yes thats correct

[Navy04]

Sorry to say bud, I agree with the info given above. Just do a little more leg work and reopen this as an FDC and you should be fine.

[killemall]

Thanks.WILL DO