C&p Mdd Increase

[Rick1420]

New to this site, so here it goes.

I am currently SC for MDD at 50% and filed for a increase back in October due to hospitalization and suicide attempts. I got my C&P result from the blue button.

Mental disorder diagnosed #1. MDD with anxious distress

ICD Code 296

SC condition

Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity

History:

Vets parents are deceased. He reports a good relationship with his only sib. Vet has never been married. Vet has no girlfriend or relationship. Vet lives with 3 of his family. He has no kids. He reports his only social interaction is with his 3 family members that he lives with. He does not like to leave his home. He mostly watches tv. He describes a loss of interest in social/ leisure interests/ activities. He reports an increase in anxiety when he is around people. He does ADLS.

Occupational and educational history:

He has had one job since leaving the military. He worked for 10 months assembling aircraft and quit due to stress. He is not looking for work. No schooling since discharge.

Mental health history:

No remissions. GAF at prior VAE was 50. He has been in treatment with Dr. ______ with current diagnosis of MDD and GAD. He reported 4 inpatient hospitalizations in 2014, all for depression. Discharge diagnosis from the 12.14 admission was MDD and GAD and there was a GAF of 45. Last visit with Dr. _____ was 02.15. Meds are sertraline and propranolol.

Legal/ Behavioral:

No legal problems. No interim violence. Vet reports two suicide attempts, both in the context of OD on pills while drinking alcohol. Suicide risk assessment dated 9.14 reported a high risk. Discharge diagnosis on 12.14 reports no symptoms of suicidality on discharge. Dr. _____ reports on 1.15 and 2.15 that there was no evidence of risk to harm self and this is true for today's VAE as well.

Substance abuse:

History of heavy use of alcohol; vet asserts he only drinks 1-2 times per year in social settings. No history of illegal drug use. Smokes 1 PPD.

Symptoms:

Depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, disturbances of motivation or mood, difficulty is establishing and maintaining work and social relationships, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or work like setting.

Observations:

Casually dressed. Hygiene is good. Demeanor is anxious. Speech is normal. Cooperative.

So here are the results fro my 10 minute c&p increase eval. Looks to me like I'll most likely stay at the 50%. Can anyone weigh in with their opinion. I am not working currently and still have a very hard time just going out in public.

[Philip Rogers]

I agree, they'll probably continue you at 50% (jmo). If so, you'll need to appeal. If you're not working you should file for TDIU and SSDI, today. In '89, I started at 30%, I appealed, appealed and appealed, etc., and was awarded 50%, then 70%, then 70% w/TDIU and then in '99, the BVA awarded me 100% back to '89. I appealed every decision, until the last one. If you have any other conditions, such as tinnitus, that could be service-connected(SC), you should file for those also. During my 10yrs of appealing I filed for TDIU 4 times, just in case. BTW, my retro award was about $250 under $100k.

Never, ever, ever, ever, give up!!!!!!!!!

pr

[Mikemmlj]

Maybe a 70 with the hospitalizations.

[Navy04]

I agree with Phillip above, and remember that you can always put in for IU or an increase. I went from 30% PTSD to 70% PTSD less than a year later, as the VA never got it right to begin with. Good luck

[Oiler1995]

Reading your report and emotional history,I'm surprised your diagnosis wasn't PTSD,your GAF score puts you at 70%.

[Rick1420]

Thanks everyone for your input! Greatly appreciated. Status went to preparation for notification today and the va letters reference a total rating of 80%, so I think I can rest assured they rated my MDD at 70%. Glad to see that the tater actually used my medical records rather than just going off the C&P exam. Greatful for the VA. Good luck to everyone going through this process and thank you all for your service!

[Navy04]

Great News Bud, and God Bless!!!