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chrisp4995

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chrisp4995 Rookie

chrisp4995

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Any help will be appreciated...

I am rated 30% for right leg issues and 10% for Tinnitus. I was recently rated 70% for PTSD/MST... (Total combined 80%) This past week my Individual Unemployability was granted rating me 100%. This is the part that gets me confused, my Psych Dr., my therapist and the C&P Doctor diagnosed me with several more disabilities. I know about pyramiding and only being able to be rated for one mental disorder but do the VA Raters even take them into account or are they only allowed to look at the C&P Doctors findings concerning the PTSD/MST? I know my PTSD/MST was rated 70% by itself. It seems crazy to me that with all the other disorders that were granted, they don't appear to be considered at all for the 70% rating.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me??  

My Decision letter stated the following: "Evaluation of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Alcohol Use Disorder, Stimulant use Disorder and Opioid use Disorder, also claimed as Anxiety, Depression and Cocaine Addiction is Granted with an evaluation of 70%. 

 

I hope this isn't a silly question... I may not be seeing the obvious but i figured i'd ask you guys...

Thank you 

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broncovet Grand Master

broncovet

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Congratulations on your 100 percent award! (TDIU) 

This is because of pyramading.  You can only be rated for ONE mental health disorder, even tho you may have 10.  You get rated for the worst symptoms.  Remember, once sc, your rating will be  on symptoms, not diseases. Your symptoms, according to the rater, did not rise to "total occupational and social impairment".  (100%) Read the criteria.  This probably means your work life is trashed but you manage to keep friends and family.  

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Guest L

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@chrisp4995 - I looked at the DSM-V criteria and agree with @broncovet- it is as simple, not meeting 100% criteria for PTSD - "having" - "maintaining" relationships is a big deal- keeping you more connected. 

also as a thought... yes you can only be rated for one mental disorder.

Once the substance abuse is  in "recovery"  - that area "improves"..... per the criteria. 

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chrisp4995 Rookie

chrisp4995

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Thank you both for the responses. I kinda figured that was the case but it just seems a bit strange. I am more than grateful for what they gave, i just wanted clarification...

 

Again, thank you

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