hypertension If I Get 70% Do You Think Tdiu Would Be Possibility Of Getting Approved?

[bassrunnin]

Here are the results of my c&p exam...would like opinion on rating and whether they might give me tdiu that I applied for...thanks ahead of time for your input,,, I tried to narrow down the exam to only the important info...One thing that I left out was

1. Diagnostic Summary

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Does the Veteran have a diagnosis of PTSD that conforms to DSM-5 criteria based on today's evaluation?

[X] Yes [ ] No

ICD code: F43.10

2. Current Diagnoses

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a. Mental Disorder Diagnosis #1: PTSD, chronic

ICD code: F43.10

Mental Disorder Diagnosis #2: Bipolar I Disorder, mixed

ICD code: F31.13

b. Medical diagnoses relevant to the understanding or management of the

Mental Health Disorder (to include TBI): Hypertension, Obesity

3. Differentiation of symptoms

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a. Does the Veteran have more than one mental disorder diagnosed?

[X] Yes [ ] No

b. Is it possible to differentiate what symptom(s) is/are attributable to each diagnosis?

[X] Yes [ ] No [ ] Not applicable (N/A)

If yes, list which symptoms are attributable to each diagnosis and discuss whether there is any clinical association between these diagnoses:

PTSD: hx of trauma, nightmares, flashbacks, traumatic memories, hypervigilance, avoidance of reminders of trauma, persistent guilt

Bipolar I: mood swings, manic episodes and depressed mood, low self esteem, increased appetite and weight gain

4. Occupational and social impairment

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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?

[X] Yes [ ] No [ ] No other mental disorder has been diagnosed

If yes, list which portion of the indicated level of occupational and social impairment is attributable to each diagnosis:

PTSD: 60%

Bipolar: 40%

2. History

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Veteran reports she has not been able to work since June 2014. Worked 4 out of the last 14 months. Worked at the Verizon call center doing tech support. "Had a good job and made good money. Having issues maintaining my composure. I was dissociating especially on breaks. Jumpy and emotional. Ususally very laid back person. Customer service don't always get nice customers. Started getting written up for poor performance. She reports she was on a leave of absence for 6 mos and then was let go because she was unable to perform her job. Too many triggers". She was told by her Dr Putatunda, psychiatrist, that she could not work. CWT: voc rehab at VA.

c. Relevant Mental Health history, to include prescribed medications and family mental health (pre-military, military, and post-military):

Mother has bipolar disorder. Veteran was hospitalized in June at York VA for one week. Later hospitalized at Rolling Hills Hospital for 10 days end of June. Middle of Sept 12-20 hospitalized at Trustpoint Hospital. Currrently sees psychiatrist and Dr Farrel and a trauma (private practice) therapist, Deborah Driggs, in Murfreesboro, she sees twice a week. Attends a group at Trustpoint twice a week. Current medications: Wellbutrin, Latudo, Prozosin for nightmares. "Medications are helpful but still not where I need to be. Anxiety and depression.

Irritability".

4. PTSD Diagnostic Criteria

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Criterion A: Exposure to actual or threatened a) death, b) serious injury, c) sexual violation, in one or more of the following ways:

[X] Directly experiencing the traumatic event(s)

Criterion B: Presence of (one or more) of the following intrusion

symptomsith the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred:

[X] Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s).

[X] Recurrent distressing dreams in which the content and/or affect of the dream are related to the traumatic event(s).

[X] Dissociative reactions (e.g., flashbacks) in which the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic event(s) were recurring. (Such reactions may occur on a continuum, with the most extreme expression being a complete loss of awareness of present surroundings).

[X] Intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s).

Criterion C: Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic events(s) occurred, as evidenced by one or both of the following:

[X] Avoidance of or efforts to avoid external reminders (people, places, conversations, activities, objects, situations) that arouse distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s).

Criterion D: Negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two (or more) of the following:

[X] Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world (e.g., "I am bad,: "No one can be trusted,: "The world is completely dangerous,: "My whole nervous system is permanently ruined").

[X] Persistent, distorted cognitions about the cause or consequences of the traumatic event(s) that lead to the individual to blame himself/herself or others.

[X] Persistent negative emotional state (e.g., fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame).

[X] Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities.

[X] Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others.

Criterion E: Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two (or more) of the following:

[X] Irritable behavior and angry outbursts (with little or no provocation) typically expressed as verbal or physical aggression toward people or objects.

[X] Reckless or self-destructive behavior.

[X] Hypervigilance.

[X] Problems with concentration.

[X] Sleep disturbance (e.g., difficulty falling or staying asleep or restless sleep).

Criterion F:

[X] Duration of the disturbance (Criteria B, C, D, and E) is more than

1 month.

Criterion G:

[X] The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Criterion I: Which stressor(s) contributed to the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis?:

[X] Stressor #1

5. Symptoms

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For VA rating purposes, check all symptoms that actively apply to the

Veteran's diagnoses:

[X] Depressed mood

[X] Anxiety

[X] Panic attacks more than once a week

[X] Chronic sleep impairment

[X] Flattened affect

[X] Impaired judgment

[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

[X] Suicidal ideation

8. Competency

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Is the Veteran capable of managing his or her financial affairs?

[X] Yes [ ] No

9. Remarks, (including any testing results) if any

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Medical Opinion:

"Does the Veteran have a diagnosis of (a) posttruamtic stress disorder that is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) incurred in or caused by (the) miitary sexual trauma during service?

Yes, the Veteran symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder do meet DSM-5 criteria and are as least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) incurred in or caused by (the) miitary sexual trauma during service. Veteran has been working, studying and trying to function in her marriage, family and work settings. She has legitimately sought professional help for her sx and continues to do so. She has beenhospitalized three times for sx related to PTSD and bipolar disorder. The Veteran was consistent in her presentation and facts. She is compliant with treatment.

In your opinion, is it at least as likely as not, that the Veteran's documented history of STD on exit exam dated 5/28/1996 supports the occurrence of the described military sexual assault in November 1992?

In my clinical opinion, the documented history of STD on exit exam dated

5/28/1996 does support and add validity to the Veteran's claim of military sexual assault.

[Berta]

Absolutely,if they award you at 70% they should send you the TDIU form with the decision.....

I replied to 2 different posts you made here,in different topics.

[bassrunnin]

THank you very much for your response!

[john999]

I had/ and have dissociative disorder back in 1971 when I got out of the Army. These VA shrinks would not listen to me, and said this guy has schizophrenia. I bet if you had seen a shrink back in the day they would either have said you had a personality disorder or bipolar or schizophrenia. They were in the dark about PTSD. I am glad you seem to have gotten decent C&P. One thing is that the exam mentions mental health problems in your family history and before, during and after military, but that is just for the bipolar. You can certainly have PTSD superimposed on bipolar disorder and it would aggravate an existing disorder anyway. If you get 70% and even if you don't I would file for TDIU if you cannot work. They use the date you file as the date for TDIU. I filed for TDIU when I was just 30% and that was the date they used when I got 70%. The range of symptoms of dissociative disorder can hardly be separated from those of PTSD except for the depersonalization and derealization symptoms which are so weird old time shrinks at the VA thought they were hallucinations which they are not.

John

[bassrunnin]

Thanks again...and just for info sakes...I didn't get diagnosed with bipolar until last year. My mom had it and turns out bipolar is a genetic thing...but it definitely got triggered due to the PTSD and was worsened because of it. PTSD symptoms began summer of 2013 and didn;t have bipolar symptoms until summer 2014. Hope this helps. My only concern now is where they say PTSD is 60% and bipolar is 40%. I don't know what kind of bearing that would have on my rating if any at all...

[Navy04]

70% and you can always apply for IU. Good luck