*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

[AirForceVetsWife]

I downloaded his health info from the blue button and this was on there from his last CBOC exam

 

 

Depression Screen :

Depression Screening

Depression Screening - (New Mental Health Instrument 12/22/08)

Depression Screen

PHQ-2

A PHQ-2 screen was performed. The score was 0 which is a

negative screen for depression.

1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things

Not at all

2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless

Not at all

PHQ-2 Results

Depression screen negative.

 (04/02/2015 12:59)

 

 

PTSD Screen:

PC PTSD

A PTSD screening test (PTSD 4Q) was positive (score=3).

PCL-C

A PCL-C was performed and was positive. The score was 53.

1. Repeated disturbing MEMORIES, THOUGHTS or IMAGES of the stressful

experience from the past?

A little bit

2. Repeated disturbing DREAMS of the stressful experience from the

past?

Not at all

3. Suddenly ACTING or FEELING as if the stressful experience from

the past were happening again (as if you were reliving it)?

A little bit

4. Feeling VERY UPSET when SOMETHING reminded you of the stressful

experience from the past?

A little bit

5. Having PHYSICAL reactions (e.g. heart pounding, trouble

breathing, sweating) when SOMETHING REMINDED you of the stressful

experience from the past?

Moderately

6. Avoiding THINKING ABOUT or TALKING ABOUT the stressful experience

from the past or AVOIDING HAVING FEELINGS related to it?

Extremely

7. Avoiding ACTIVITIES or SITUATIONS because they REMINDED you of

the stressful experience from the past?

Not at all

8. Trouble REMEMBERING IMPORTANT PARTS of the stressful experience

from the past?

A little bit

9. LOSS of INTEREST in activities that you used to enjoy?

Extremely

10. Feeling DISTANT or CUT OFF from other people?

Extremely

11. Feeling EMOTIONALLY NUMB or being unable to have loving feelings

for those close to you?

Moderately

12. Feeling as if your FUTURE somehow will be CUT SHORT?

Not at all

13. Trouble FALLING or STAYING ASLEEP?

Extremely

 CONFIDENTIAL Page 31 of 81

14. Feeling IRRITABLE or having ANGRY OUTBURSTS?

Moderately

15. Having DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING?

Extremely

16. Being "SUPERALERT" or watchful or on guard?

Moderately

17. Feeling JUMPY or easily startled?

Extremely

 

 

so it says negative on depression but has all that other stuff under it

Edited April 25, 2019 by AirForceVetsWife

[AirForceVetsWife]

This was from his initial C&P in 2013

 

1. Type of medical opinion(s) requested

Direct service connection

2. Contention:

Claimed Condition: depression

Direct service connection

The Veteran is claiming that his depression was incurred in or caused while

in Air Force occurring from July 2007 to Mar 2012.

3. Opinion requested

Direct service connection

Is the veteran's depression at least as likely as not (50 percent or

greater

probability) incurred in or caused while in Air Force occurring from July

2007 to Mar 2012?

------------------------

b. Indicate type of exam for which opinion has been requested: Mental

Disorders

TYPE OF MEDICAL OPINION PROVIDED: [ MEDICAL OPINION FOR DIRECT SERVICE

CONNECTION ]

a. The condition claimed was at least as likely as not (50% or greater

probability) incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event

or

illness.

c. Rationale: The examiner who conducted the veteran's 11/26/2013

C&P

examination for Mental Disorders documents that the veteran's symptoms

of

depression gradually developed over the course of his military career. The

examiner goes on to state that "depression" is documented/verified

in the

"Problems" list of 2011 STR's contained in the veteran's

VBMS record. I

reviewed the veteran's VBMS record and can further verify that

"depression"

is documented in available STR's (see Problems list dated 11/15/2011).

In addition, the veteran's VBMS record contains mental health records

from

"These records document that

the veteran

underwent a psychological evaluation (with psychiatric testing) in

September/October 2011. He was formally diagnosed with Depressive Disorder

NOS and ADHD based on the results of that evaluation. He had never been

diagnosed with either of those disorders before his military service.

[AirForceVetsWife]

Then looking through more past records from the VA, his C&P noted how he started feeling depressed in 2011, no desire to do anything, felt disconnected, etc. Axis 4 moderate, axis 5 GAF score 55-60.

All symptoms checked we're depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks more than once a week, chronic sleep impairment, flattened affect, difficulty in understanding complex commands, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or work like setting, and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships

 

Then on a 2014 CBOC exam said no feelings like above, negative for depression and then the above mentioned 2015 exam where it has all the emotions, etc mentioned. So I guess that shows a fluctuation? But that it is maintaining at a not so good level? I need to request his recent private doctor records.

 

It also says in the C&P when he was diagnosed on base in the military, no depression meds were suggested due to his heart condition

Edited April 25, 2019 by AirForceVetsWife

[AirForceVetsWife]

Ugh, I am stressing out so bad over this C&P next week. I'm just terrified we will get a bad examiner. It seems like the one he had at his initial exam was great.

I'm trying not to be too stressed with my husband though as I don't want him to panic, stress, and everything else. Just trying to stay calm.

I went over the records I got off the blue button with him and I asked him to honestly talk to me about how he feels, asked some of the questions that were on there that pertain to how he feels, etc and he answered the same to all of them. He feels uninterested in doing anything, no motivation, stressed at work, no "loving" feelings, sleep impairment...all that.

We have gotten through so much and I'm trying not to get all worked up before we even get through the process, I'm just afraid of our world being turned upside down by one VA C&P

[ShrekTheTank]

Be honest when you are there. Advocate for him. If you know something is not correct say something. Be nice but assertive. I have talked to a person who did rating in the past and the wife saying this is worse or that might not be correct played a big part in getting to the truth.  Stay calm as you have options if it does go one way and not another. It will work out keep fighting!  Never give up!

[AirForceVetsWife]

Thank you, I'm trying not to get worked up before we even have the exam. It's just I'm the one who handles the bills and part of his issues have also been spending and things have gotten a little crazy and I know you shouldnt rely on the money as help for certain bills but let's be honest it happens. And I'm just worried. I don't want to sound greedy or selfish or like I WANT him to be depressed but in the same sense I do see that he isn't better and there's days I have to walk on egg shells or feel like he is just so annoyed by me. 

 

I think it'll go ok. I'm just worried they'll see that CBOC exam where it says negative depression screening...but positive PTSD?...and think oh he's ok!!

 

But I asked him to honestly tell me how he feels and he did. He said his motivation is out the door and his energy is shot, doesn't feel like saying I love you anymore...etc..