*UPDATE* RFE Major Depressive disorder

[AirForceVetsWife]

 

Update so far...husband just got called back by the doctor, he said my wife is here with me, the doctor looked at me and said "I'd like to see him alone, please"

Doesn't give me good feelings. 

 

He's been anxious this whole 2.5 hour drive. He's been quiet. He's been anxious in this waiting room. 

He said he believes it went well. He said the doctor suggested highly that he sees someone. He said he had to ask if he could close the blinds because he was uncomfortable, he said he was taking quite a bit of notes. I hate I wasn't in there but my husband said it seemed very favorable. Hopefully he's right. 

Hi all!

My husband is going in next Thursday for a C&P for his SC major depressive disorder. He's at 70% now and I guess I'm looking to calm our nerves. His effective date was June of 2013 so well over 5 years. To me, I see symptoms everyday. I've written a letter that's in his file now. When he first went in for the initial exam in 2013, he didn't even ask for depression...they asked him the questions and then bam 70% major depressive disorder. He thought he was just answering routine exam questions. I'm just worried over this exam. I know it's out of our control on if we get a good person to do this C&P but I've read all the things about it being over 5 years and they would more than likely need more than one exam to prove he's better. I don't see that's he's better. The only issue is he's so stubborn about it and hasn't really seen anyone for this issue and I'm afraid that'll be a huge thing. 

 

Just looking to calm my nerves. 

 

Thank you!

Edited May 10, 2019 by AirForceVetsWife

[Buck52]

yes but unfortunately veterans can only recieve one mental diagnoses... Major Depression Disorder is a form of mental health. 

Either try a secondary condition To his S,C, MDD (Any other conditions it is related to or caused by) Like medications  ect,,,ect,,,

 or see  if a Dr has increased his MDD Medication  OR THAT IT HAS WORSEN WITHIN THE LAST 5 Years   any un-ordinary behavior or events that has been recorded in his medical records?

also a good lay statment from his spouse   as you witness a  change in your hubby behavior  within the last 5 years due to his S.C. MDD?? or higher dose of prescribe medications.

[AirForceVetsWife]

Thank you all for your answers! 

Honestly we aren't even seeking an increase. Sorry if I wasn't clear on that. This is just a 5 year re-eval they put in for. We would be fine with staying where he is as we didn't even expect that. From what I've heard it's hard to even get to 70%. 

We are just a bundle of nerves over re evaluation and everything that goes into it. I think I read the horror stories and get worked up. 

[AirForceVetsWife]

Thank you so much for all the resources you all are great. I truly appreciate it!

[AirForceVetsWife]

5 hours ago, Buck52 said:

yes but unfortunately veterans can only recieve one mental diagnoses... Major Depression Disorder is a form of mental health. 

Either try a secondary condition To his S,C, MDD (Any other conditions it is related to or caused by) Like medications  ect,,,ect,,,

 or see  if a Dr has increased his MDD Medication  OR THAT IT HAS WORSEN WITHIN THE LAST 5 Years   any un-ordinary behavior or events that has been recorded in his medical records?

also a good lay statment from his spouse   as you witness a  change in your hubby behavior  within the last 5 years due to his S.C. MDD?? or higher dose of prescribe medications.

I wrote a lay statement and I hope it's good. Unfortunately I thought of more info after I submitted it so I have that as a copy and a list of things I notice and how often

[AirForceVetsWife]

Oh and we are going straight to the VA. Not that'll it'll be easier or better but we requested the VA not an outside examiner

[AirForceVetsWife]

8 hours ago, brokensoldier244th said:

Going from 70 to 100% is difficult- im not trying to scare you , but basically, this is the stuff they are looking for, or will be asking about-and if you see something on here that they don't ask about, make sure you note it yourself with examples of his behaviors that coincide with it. (or have him tell them). The occupational and social impairment parts are a big deal. At the point that I had finally applied for an increase I had been unemployed for several months and had made some really bad money decisions to cope and compensate, among other things. I was kinda off the rails for awhile. I was in active treatment/counseling too, so that helped a lot because I had current records going back almost a year of either meds, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), or both. 

 

http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/mentaldisorders.html

Remember- the list above is not comprehensive- he doesn't need to exhibit ALL of them, but if you can provide examples of any of them it will help immensely. Self care, hygeine, hiding out in the house ( I used to be so bad I couldn't go to the door to talk to the mail man, I was was so socially anxious. Dishes would stack up for 3-4 days, I wouldn't cook for myself or my kids. My wife is a saint, and while she put up with some of it, she was also a stick when she needed to be. Meds helped a lot, too, but im on them all the time now so I can sort of function. Im a stay at home dad now, at 42, and while its still really challenging with my kids, they are upper elementary, HS, and a college student, so its not as bad as it was a few years ago when they were younger and at home all the time. I basically wandered around the house like  a ghost. My sleep was all off, I had no regular or normal schedule. 

Good luck! I don't blame you for feeling apprehensive at all- and he's probably a mess worrying about it, too. Best you can do is be supportive and watch for any uptic in behaviors in the next week or so, and just be aware that its his symptoms acting up and nothing personal. 

I really appreciate the help!

Yea I really can't bring it up. I tried just asking about it and we got into a huge fight. So I'm trying to be sensitive about it. 

 

They obviously saw something in his records and with his first exam to warrant it.  He was always very against social interactions to begin with and that hasn't changed. He won't even go to my work Christmas party