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C & P Exam Results regarding Bipolar and PTSD--Help me understand this!
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Austin
So I had a C & P appointment. I got an attorney a couple years ago after my claim was denied. My claim is for Bipolar, PTSD, and Depression. My attorney sent a NOD a little over 2 years ago and I was scheduled for a C & P appointment. The examiner that I had was the same examiner that I had on the claim I was initially denied on. He basically said "there wasn't anything wrong with me after the service". So I had my C & P appointment and the examiner pulled a note that described me mentioning taking anti-depressants prior to the military. I honestly forgot about this. I have attached the nexus letter which makes a link to the military aggravating my condition. Could someone please explain to me what can happen next? I was initially thinking award. But I'm wondering if they are going to ask for records prior to my military(teenage and young adult)... which I wouldn't be able to produce. I'm kinda freaking out because it seems like the link was made but not in the way I was expecting.
Attached nexus---
2. Current Diagnoses ------------------- a. Mental Disorder Diagnosis #1: unspecified bipolar disorder ICD code: F31.9
b. Medical diagnoses relevant to the understanding or management of the Mental Health Disorder (to include TBI): none
3. Differentiation of symptoms ----------------------------- a. Does the Veteran have more than one mental disorder diagnosed? [ ] Yes [X] No c. Does the Veteran have a diagnosed traumatic brain injury (TBI)? [ ] Yes [ ] No [X] Not shown in records reviewed 4. 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 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? [ ] 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 ----------------- Evidence reviewed (check all that apply): [X] VA e-folder (VBMS or Virtual VA) [X] CPRS
2. History ---------
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a. Relevant Social/Marital/Family history (pre-military, military, and post-military): The Veteran has been married for approximately one year; he said lately their relationship has had problems because he feels his wife has not understood his problems. b. Relevant Occupational and Educational history (pre-military, military, and post-military): The Veteran said he had had eight jobs in the past year. He completed a bachelor's degree in psychology at UCA a year ago. c. Relevant Mental Health history, to include prescribed medications and family mental health (pre-military, military, and post-military): The Veteran is followed in mental health at CAVHS. He takes lamictal, prazosin, and lithium carbonate. He also sees a private counselor. d. Relevant Legal and Behavioral history (pre-military, military, and post-military): n/a e. Relevant Substance abuse history (pre-military, military, and post-military): The Veteran reports drinking every day, having two 30-packs over the course of a week. His last marijuana use was about two and a half years ago. f. Other, if any: n/a 3. Stressors ----------- Describe one or more specific stressor event(s) the Veteran considers traumatic (may be pre-military, military, or post-military): a. Stressor #1: hearing a soldier getting raped Does this stressor meet Criterion A (i.e., is it adequate to support the diagnosis of PTSD)? [X] Yes [ ] No Is the stressor related to the Veteran's fear of hostile military or terrorist activity? [ ] Yes [X] No Is the stressor related to personal assault, e.g. military sexual trauma? [X] Yes [ ] No
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4. PTSD Diagnostic Criteria -------------------------- No response provided.
5. Symptoms ---------- For VA rating purposes, check all symptoms that actively apply to the Veteran's diagnoses: [X] Depressed mood [X] Anxiety [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 [X] Suicidal ideation
6. Behavioral Observations ------------------------- The Veteran was cooperative. He displayed some dysphoria.
7. Other symptoms ---------------- Does the Veteran have any other symptoms attributable to PTSD (and other mental disorders) that are not listed above? [ ] Yes [X] No 8. Competency ------------ Is the Veteran capable of managing his or her financial affairs? [X] Yes [ ] No 9. Remarks, (including any testing results) if any ------------------------------------------------- The Veteran's symptoms appear to be more consistent with a mood disorder than with those of PTSD. He reported depression while still in the military, but also reported he had been treated for depression prior to the military. In today's examination the Veteran denied depression prior to the military but then conceded it was possible he had been depressed as a teenage, but could not recall details of his depression or the treatment he received. However, the same note indicated that in 2007 the Veteran reported that he had responded well to medication, suggesting that it was possible that his depression was relatively mild.
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The Veteran's current bipolar disorder is severe. Therefore, it is more likely than not that any mood disorder present before the Veteran's military service was exacerbated by his time in the military.
Given the Veteran's ability to complete a bachelor's degree, I did not find evidence that his bipolar disorder precluded all employment; however, it definitely makes it difficult for him to sustain employment. NOTE: VA may request additional medical information, including additional examinations if necessary to complete VA's review of the Veteran's
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Austin
I went on Vet.gov this morning because ebenefits totally keeps me in the dark. It said this: Your Appeal Has Been Granted by the Regional Office (RO) December 22, 2017 This means
TJMarine
This is a grant of about 50% to 70% because of the suicidal Ideations I would say... The examiner states at the end of the C&P that IT IS MORE LIKELY THAN NOT that any mood disorder present before
broncovet
You got the Caluza triangle covered here, which is good. Im not crazy about your diagnosis, but it is what it is.
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