dilemma

[andrewdc]

I'm currently 100% copd and 50% mental with a host of other rated disabilities. I currently work, but have received many reprimands due to my forgetfulness (memory disorder) so continued employment is shaky at best. I feel I would qualify for ssdi now, but haven't applied because I don't have the financial resources to wait 6 months for ssdi payment assuming I qualify. So, I have put in for an increase in my mental rating and although struggling to work, feel I could be deemed total occupational and social impaired. My wife who was retired for 6 years recently went back to work to help us in the event I am terminated.  My eval is Thursday and my wife helped me put together my current mental status as I would probably forget some key items during the eval. my question is, is it possible to receive a 100% mental rating while still maintaining employment. due to my mental issues, I'm hoping to get smc L at some point.

MCI, Depression, Anxiety, Sleep Disorders

COPD, Sleep Apnea, Diabetes, neuropathy, Hypertension, Sinusitis, Allergic rhinitis,

Medicines (see attached)

 

• Forget to put car in park before exiting car

• Left stove burners on unattended

• Forget to take daily medicine

• Severe anxiety in crowds- profuse sweating

• Forget grand kids and other relatives names

• Forget where going while driving

• Dr simukuvar (va pschyistrsit) advised me to stop driving)

• Forgetful of date and time-forgot daughters recent birthday

• No emotion to anything

• Unable to focus at work

• Forget who I call

• Unable to remember person I am speaking with

• Forget short term instructions

• Severe difficulty understanding instruction

• Judgement is poor, makes bad decisions regarding finances, work, and relationship

• Unable to function in crowds—extreme sweating

• Unable to maintain friendships, withdrawn

• Speech issues,,,words don’t come out as intended

• Hit knees with fists when I’m overwhelmed or anxious

• Forget to wash hair or brush teeth, hygene4 is deteriorating without wife intervention

• Unable to tell whether certain dreams were actual events or just dream.

• Continue issues with sleep---fragmented

• Obsessed rituals, 16 pumps of soap, 4 pumps shampoo- don’t know why

• Careless driving

• Poor memory especially short term-

• Will be applying for ssdi due to current medical conditions as unemployment is eminent due to poor function at work. Feel will qualify now but unable to apply as payments don’t begin for 6 months after approval. All work reprimands related to memory issues.

• Linda- assumed control of finances and bill paying, all meal preparation, all medicine management, monitors all my activities.

• Prefer to be by myself and not around people.

• Only hobby is fishing

• Irritated easily

• Always tired from slack of sleep

• No energy

• No mood

• Have fallen asleep while driving more than once

• Nervous often

• Rely heavily on wife to manage daily activities

[GeekySquid]

13 hours ago, andrewdc said:

'm currently 100% copd and 50% mental with a host of other rated disabilities.

@andrewdc

Have you looked at the DBQ for Mental Disorders other than PTSD? if not here is the link

https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-0960P-2-ARE.pdf

you can find all the questionnaires on this page

https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/dbq_disabilityexams.asp

Just choose between form name and or the symptoms to find what you are looking for.

The checklist of symptoms in Sec 3 of that form is what the docs will be looking for and probably asking the severity  of.

Some one mentioned TBI and I don't see you mentioning PTSD, but I notice you said your wife retired 6 years ago. With a little back of napkin math that suggests you are a Vietnam veteran. If so your MH diagnosis might have missed a connection to either of those diagnosis. only you know if that is true.

I know I just got my rating upped to 100% P&T for PTSD and 8 disabled veterans I know who work for Vets Orgs told me to run to the SSA and file and use the expedited process. They are of the belief that it works and works rapidly, though I don't know how your still working will affect the situation.

I don't know if any of that helps, but I wish you well and hope you will report back your successes.