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Depression Due To Chronic Pain

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Resqflyr

Question

I was discharged from the military December of 2004 due to multiple convalescent for Right Knee issues (4 Knee Surgery's).  I am Service Connected for Right Knee Medial Meniscal Tear  with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and Degenerative Arthritis that has been getting worse over time. 

Due to the nature of the pain, I am submitting a (Secondary) claim for Depression due to Chronic Pain.  Any advise on what I should do before/after submittal to support my claim?

Example:

Should I see a Counselor about my Depression First or wait for the VA C&P Exam?

 

Thanks in Advance!

 

 

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  • HadIt.com Elder

Yes, you can file a new claim most any time you'd like. You'll need some new evidence to support your claim that you suffer depression secondary to chronic pain. 

Your new evidence should be in the form of an Independent Medical Opinion (IMO). You're going to need the IMO from a civilian psychiatrist or psychologist. That person will have to review your medical records and then come up with an expert opinion that supports your claim. You're welcome to try getting an IMO like this from your VA care people, but I'm not confident you'll get that sort of support.

Unless you have an expert IMO that clearly states that it is more likely than not that your depression is secondary to your service connected chronic pain condition, I'd predict that the outcome would be another denial

 

Source: Jim Strickland MailBag

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  • HadIt.com Elder

Well you may not need a civilian (private Dr) for an IMO ( Independent Medical Opinion) if you can get a VA Dr to help you?  some will but most won't.

Most of us have had to use a civilian Private Dr or Specialist in the field of medicine were claiming for a nexus and that nexus is very important, the only time a veteran needs to use the VA is for Diagnosis is in mental health  then that has to be a VA Dr. After the DX then you can use a private Dr to help you.

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