tdiu Mental Exam -- Ssdi Implications... And Impact On Existing Va Rating

[Snake Eyes]

I had a mental exam for SSDI yesterday with the primary complaint being Generalized Anxiety Disorder and depression. The psychologist and I had a wide ranging conversation and I don't think she got in all the canned questions Social Security has on their forms.

As a result, she talked like she thought I was "over stressed" and had a "bruised ego from rejection" (jobs I lost or were downsized from) and so forth.

The SSDI claim has several medical conditions along with the GAD, and I have a physical exam next month.

What are the implications of Consultative Exams? Would they give more weight to the person who talks with you for an hour than say, a letter from Dr. Bash after he examined me and reviewed over 1,000 pages of my medical records? Dr. Bash's letter points out that I'm over 60 years old -- apparently because age is a factor Social Security considers when you come close but do not fully meet their disability guidelines for a given condition.

If she "diagnoses" stress and anger issues for Social Security, would that potentially cause a reversal of my GAD rating from the VA if I include SSDI as part of a TDIU claim?

[Mikemmlj]

Good questions. I have an open claim now and am curious to see what happens with your case.

[rosypalm]

Interesting :)

[Philip Rogers]

At age 55, SSDI is less stringent on the disability rules. You are wise to pursue SSDI, rather than waiting for retirement age, as you get the full rate now and can pickup Medicare in 2 yrs. I'm sure Dr. Bash has you covered!!! Good luck and never ever give up. Keep us posted.

pr

Edited September 25, 2014 by Philip Rogers (see edit history)

[Snake Eyes]

Not so sure about the Dr. Bash angle. In his original letter, he had several factual errors, which I corrected. He also had me re-write some of his language to more accurately reflect my conditions.

For those who haven't used his services yet, this is NOT unusual. He sends his initial draft in Word format, and if you have Word you can make corrections, which he'll see in "review mode" in Word and approve (or make his own corrections).

However, getting information into his hands has been very difficult for me. He originally requested DBQs with my personal info and his signature blocks filled in, which he'd complete based on his notes from when he did the exam. I sent those by mail and I don't know if he ever got them, but he has requested items I hand-carried to our appoinment on a few occasions. He was not at his Mariland office over the summer; I suspect that accounts for a lot of the phone-email-postal mail-fax tag we've played over the summer.

Hopping it gets better.

[john999]

Your SSA exam doctor must give you an actual DX. It can't just be "has anger issues" or some such rot. "Stress" is not a medical DX. PTSD or GAD or Major Depression is a medical DX that the VA will accept. When I worked for the postal service employees were always going out of work on "Stress" and filing for worker's compensation. They lost the case because "stress" is not a medical mental illness.

[charlesvan36]

My advice is seek a SSD lawyer. I did and one back to 2009.

[Snake Eyes]

Thanks for the replies. I'll have to see how it plays out. As a new claim within the six month window, it may be hard to find an attorney who will take the case.