Question About Filing Claim For Depression

[Rick in TX]

Good day to all! I would like some insight or advice. I served in the Army between 2007 and 2013. I filed for several things and service rated for 2.

10% GERD

10% Right shoulder

0% Right knee.

Throughout my service I have had back problems that would manifest from time to time. Like something would "pinch" and I would be locked in place. It happened a few times but any time I went to get it looked at, they could never find anything wrong. I was warned about malingering so I just dealt with it. Also I have had a couple bouts of depression during and after service that I haven't claimed.

Currently in my 15th month of appeal to get service connected for my back and neck because things deteriorated to constant pain in the past 3 years. After much arguing with VA Dr I finally got MRI's and X-rays which show Degenerate Disc Disease as well as multiple vertebrae pushing against thecal sack which causes pain and mobility issues.

Dealing with these issues I was in a depression for a few years. Doctor kept me medicated for pain and I was miserable. My question is should I file a claim for depression? I have been unable to work more than part time due to pain and have been living on my GI Bill.

Currently I have an appointment for SSDI in 2 weeks for Mental Health for depression and anxiety.

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks to all! 

 

[broncovet]

Look at your medical records.  See if the CAluza elements are documented.  If so, file.  If not, you will need to get them.

1.  current diagnosis

2.  In service event or aggravation

3 . Nexus or medical opinion 1 and 2 are related.  

[brokensoldier244th]

You'll have to have a diagnosis before you can file, and that will mean more than one or two sessions. I think I was being treated for 6 months before I had a concrete diagnosis and enough documentation supporting why before I felt comfortable filling. If PTSD or something similar is involved it might take awhile to break that out so you get it noted and properly rated.

[vetquest]

Yes, brokensoldier, it takes at least six months to get a diagnosis of depression or PTSD.  Rick, did you ever seek mental help while in the military?  Are you a combat vet?  These things would make your life much easier when applying for PTSD or depression.

I really like the malingering part.  You spend six or eight years serving honorably and ask for medical help and they throw malingering at you.  God I love the military some times.

Edited November 9, 2018 by vetquest

[brokensoldier244th]

Just to expand a bit, now that im not on my phone. When I originally began seeing psyche for anger issues and depression (didnt know that at the time) it took 5-6 sessions to establish a baseline and talk through the reasons why I was feeling what I was feeling (chronic pain, feeling useless, constantly distracted due to concentrating on daily pain, etc). Then, once we got there, I went from psychology to psychiatry for medication, so that took another month or two to feel out how the meds were working, tweaking, etc, and establishing another baseline to go with my physical issues. At that point it had been about 10 yrs of dealing with the physical part so there was no question that it was chronic, so that helped. They didnt stonewall me or ever make me feel put off, but they did work pretty hard and methodically to find a root causation. Once I had that, and several sessions documented, THEN I filed for depression. Over the years it has increased as my pain level has and my limitations have gotten more cumbersome, so subsequent filings were easier. 

[Rick in TX]

@broncovet Absolutely. I have my entire medical record in hand and bookmarking the records of depression for my upcoming SSDI appointment. I am hoping that if they see I have a documented history it will help make my case.

@brokensoldier244th I was diagnosed and treated for 9 months at home base before deployment in 2012. I was taking citalopram every day with follow-ups. It was documented although combined with my shoulder injury and stomach issues, made medications blend in together and it was a rough time.

@vetquest I agree. I just had to deal with it rather than a tainted record. It is sad though because not everything happens where it can be visible or immediately show up. Many soldiers often don't use their medical benefits while in either because other soldiers make a big deal out of it and they don't want to seem weak, or, in my case, threatened with legal action for trying to document and seek diagnosis for a spine problem, that can be potentially dangerous to my wellbeing. 

Thank you everyone for all the replies. I will try to respond to as many as I can. 

 

[brokensoldier244th]

Awesome, so you have a baseline, and a diagnosis? In that case, go for it. Look up the ratings factors for depression, and compare to your last several more recent psych notes and you should be able to get an idea of where you fall. http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/originalvasrd3.html#c9434