Copy of DBQ. Looking for insight?

[chriscond]

Im currently service connected at 50% for panic with anxiety and depression. This is for an increased rating. I'm not working right now and receive SSDI. I applied for an increase in 2016 and was kept at 50%. I didn't pursue it further because I felt like their reasoning was sound. This time I know things have gotten worse and will appeal it to the full extent necessary. Any thoughts would be helpful.

 

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Axis 1: Panic Disorder, Bipolar II disorder
Axis 2: None
Axis 3: Chronic Pain due to facial trauma
Axis 4: Problems in realtionships
Axis 5: 32

Occupational and Social Impairment:
Occupational and social impairment with deficincies in most areas

Symptoms:
The ones that were checked are Depressed Mood, Anxiety. Suspiciousness, Panic Attacks more than once a week, Impaired Judgment, Disturbances of motivation and mood, Difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances including work or its setting, suicidal ideation, persistent danger of hurting self or others, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, intermittent ability to perform activities of daily living, including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene.

The notes were very thorough throughout the DBQ as well. In the remarks section there is a lot of writing but basically says that I'm currently unable to show stabilization in mood, frequently depressed with avoidance of family friends and self care. Instability due to panic affect ability to participate at times in public events and pursuing work due to high levels of agitation and panic when overwhelmed. Periods of SI with one SA. Self harm, Impulsiveness, Lack of emotional regulation leads to weekly and at times daily conflict with partner and others.

[Buck52]

HERE IS A LINK ON applying for IU  BASED ON 100% SCHEDULER OR COMBINED RATINGS BELOW THE 100%

BY ASK VET FIRST

http://helpdesk.vetsfirst.org/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=2813

If your awarded the 100% based on one S.C. Disability (your ptsd) or combined your ratings they will probably inferr the IU.

however some times they don't  so you can Appeal the decision and request the I.U.

[chriscond]

Thank you for all of the replies!

The VA is aware that I have SSDI. They actually used the records from my SSDI claim to help make the service connection. In fact, the only reason I knew to apply for VA disability is because Social Security specifically told me to.

I guess I could go to the SSA office and ask for a copy of my award letter that shows the reasons I receive it. 

I'm thinking the DBQ, my letter and almost a years worth of weekly progress notes should be enough. Regardless, you are all right in that having the SSDI award letter and the diagnosis/reason I'm receiving SSDI would be an added beneficial factor.

[chriscond]

Wow, my mom is an angel! Upon your advice to get my SSA records I asked her if she happened to have them.

She has the initial award letter and 5 pages from the ALJ with notes and diagnosis' from 3 different Psychiatrists and Psychologists I saw during that process. All said Anxiety disorder and Depressive disorder that were considered personality disorders by the military. Since I'm already service connected (the first c&p examiner i saw didn't agree with personality disorder) that's fine. I'm going to copy the award letter and then a copy of all of the pages from the ALJ awarding me for anxiety and depression linking to my time in the Army. That should save some time so the VA doesn't even have to ask for them. Gotta be proactive with these things I'm learning.

I feel like I actually got screwed with the 50% rating All along. The SSA doctor's put my GAF at 40, first C&P examiner put me at 38. I was disabled by SSA during my first C&P. Now my GAF is 32. I guess we will see what happens.

Should I file this as an FDC or Decision Ready Claim?

Edited February 28, 2018 by chriscond

[chriscond]

Spoke with my VSO from the DAV. They said I should have filed secondary SC for my jaw and TBI years ago. They are my neighbor and even said "I specifically remember you talking about doing exposure therapy in public before that happened to you" so that's a good nexus statement.

Anyways, they said their boss said my DBQ was very good and thorough and they will be filing it as a Decision Ready Claim this coming week. I will update this post with details as they come in. They said the DRC is such a new way to file a claim that it will be interesting to see if it's really 30 days until a Decision. We shall see.

[chriscond]

Little update:

DRC claim filed March 6th, VA received it March 15th. Yesterday ebenefits said Prep for Decision in the morning and then by the afternoon was back in Review of Evidence. Estimated completion date is 4/1-4/15 of this year for whatever that's worth!

I was shocked when I saw it in Prep for Decision though. Lol it was too good to be true.

EDIT: now in Gathering of Evidence and they scheduled an exam. Guess the DBQ and Neuropsych test results weren't enough. Estimated Completion Date is now middle of July. So much for the DRC.

Edited March 20, 2018 by chriscond