ptsd C&p 5-Year Reevaluation?

[MarineLCpl]

Hello gentleman,

I am a new member on the site. Thank you for having me! I'll tell you a little bit about myself..

Background: (Feel free to skip down to present day for the actual concern)

I was discharged from the Marine Corps in 2008, due to mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. I have struggled with these issues ever since, and am still struggling to this very day. Shortly after being discharged, I was contacted by the VA to come in for a C&P exam to determine a course of action. In 2010, I received a rating of 50% for the issues mentioned above. I had a follow-up exam 6-months later, and my rating was increased from 50% to 80%. At the end of 2010, I filed the paperwork for unemployability, and was granted it at the end of that year. It remains current, and I have been in treatment with the VA since then to work on my issues.

In 2011, I applied for the Vocational Rehabilitation program to pursue a 4-year college degree. I was approved, and started attending classes. My first semester went rather well, pulling a B/C average at the end. The second semester, not so well. Ended up having to drop out because my anxiety was so immense. Enrolled to try again the following semester...dropped again...just could handle it, and was released from the program. In 2012, I became very interested in the engineering side of music, and wanted to give it a shot. I liked the fact that it was something I could do on my own, and didn't have to be around lots of others to perform my job. Being alone is when I'm more content.

I was hooked. I again applied for Voc. Rehab, and met with a rep. He was optimistic, which surprised me because of my past history with them, and he said he would run it across his boss and get back with me. He scheduled a meeting with me two weeks later and said that they couldn't approve that particular music program I wanted to pursue, and if that I picked something else (with a little better job security), I would likely be approved. I said no thanks, I'll just have to do it on my own. I think this surprised him, and I don't know if it was just because he could tell I was passionate, but he said he would vouch for me, and to go ahead and start the program. He told me that I would need to prove to him that I was serious, and maintain a 3.0 GPA in order to keep pursuing it. I agreed.

3 years later, I am finally a senior, and have not once dropped below the 3.0 GPA mark. WOW is all I can say to myself. I'm not going to lie, I went through some hard times with my mental health problems during these last 3 years, but I have fought hard, and maintained. I'm serious about doing something with my life and resolving my issues all together. My rep is very happy with me, and always reminds me that I continue to amaze him at holding up my end of the bargain.

This brings me to present day.

The VA has contacted me and scheduled a C&p exam in a couple of weeks. I do realize that it might be routine, but have a slight suspicion that a few VA employees at this facility are out to get me. While my depression has gotten better in recent years due to optimism about being a degree holder, my anxiety level has not changed, which is why I'm hoping that obtaining a college degree will give me that confidence boost I need to survive in the real world and stop getting so worked up about what others think/how they treat me. All I can think about is them taking away my benefits. I can imagine the aftermath, and I know myself pretty well. I would likely go back into depression because funds will start running low, anxiety will increase even more, fear of the future will be at an all-time high, etc.

I have been honest with the VA about my claims, and have sought treatment ever since my discharge. I have heard horror stories that if you tell the VA that you are better (as in my depression being better), they will automatically try and reduce, or take your rating away all together. I have worked so hard, and I'm gearing up for my last year of college, but now I feel as it all might come to a bleeding halt. I have been an American Legion member for 6 years, so I do have them as a point of contact, but I'm not sure if or when I should contact them about the situation.

Any tips, guys?

Thank you for listening, it truly means a lot! And again, thanks for having me on the site.

MarineLCpl

[USMC_VET]

After doing a little bit of research and reading, it seems that some vets say their exam results show up under the "VA Notes" section of their Blue Button data, but others note that they see actual status updates on their claim, such as "preparing for decision", etc. I would think that this info wouldn't be found under the general "Notes" catagory. Perhaps someone could fill me in on where this information can be found in their myhealthevet account. Thanks!!

LCpl

Mine was in Blue Button Data, however some notes have a 3 day hold on them and the exams wont be viewable until after the decision is final (from what i understand).

If you are looking for your exam you will have to wait unitl the decision is final plus some time im sure before it is viewable in blue button, regular doctors notes from a visits will be viewable in blue button around 3 days later. earlier exams from previous decisions should be viewable now UNLESS they were conducted by a private physician contracted by the VA.

[MarineLCpl]

Based on what you guys are saying, it looks like I'll be waiting a while before any information presents itself. Hopefully I will see something by the end of June. So, will they also be sending me a paper copy of the determination (reward letter)?

[justrluk]

Normal part of the process, but when my most recent re-eval was conducted, I also submitted supporting documents to continue the rating for the condition.

[Navy04]

Good luck and keep us posted bud

[MarineLCpl]

Hi everyone,

I finally got to see the notes from my exam. Without going to deep into it, I will explain what he put down. So, he basically said that PTSD (a secondary issue) is more pronounced than my current primary claim (Major Depressive Disorder, 70% SC currently). He used the phrase,"More likely than not SC" when talking about PTSD, with major depressive disorder now being a secondary issue. I'm not sure what to make of this. Perhaps someone can chime in on exactly what this means.

eBenefits status is "Pending Decision Approval". It's been 2 weeks since the re-eval.

LCpl

Edit: I will also add that he used the phrase,"Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity." From the research I've done, this is generally associated with a 50% rating. Does this mean they will try and reduce my rating?

Edit #2:

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] 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] Inability to establish and maintain effective relationships

Edited June 27, 2015 by MarineLCpl

[USMC_VET]

Can you cut paste entire eval without identifying info etc.