Mental Health secondary to Tinnitus

[Mover1993]

Hello everyone

As seen in the title, this is my claim.

According to the VA the three elements to get an exam for secondary claims are:

• lay or medical evidence of a current disability or symptoms

• evidence of an SC primary disability (which substitutes for the in-service event, injury, or disease), and

• indication that the claimed secondary condition may be associated with the primary disability. 

With this claim I have submitted a personal statement of my symptoms, a diagnosis of mental health disorders, and a letter from a psychologist attributing my mental disorders to service connected tinnitus.

I'm just wondering if based on the VA requirements if I have enough to get a C&P exam from the VA?

Thanks y'all

Mover1993

[ShrekTheTank]

It looks like you have what is needed. 

[doc25]

5 hours ago, Mover1993 said:

Hello everyone

As seen in the title, this is my claim.

According to the VA the three elements to get an exam for secondary claims are:

• lay or medical evidence of a current disability or symptoms

• evidence of an SC primary disability (which substitutes for the in-service event, injury, or disease), and

• indication that the claimed secondary condition may be associated with the primary disability. 

With this claim I have submitted a personal statement of my symptoms, a diagnosis of mental health disorders, and a letter from a psychologist attributing my mental disorders to service connected tinnitus.

I'm just wondering if based on the VA requirements if I have enough to get a C&P exam from the VA?

Thanks y'all

Mover1993

Please post the letter for review. Redact or darken out any personal identifying information.

[Mover1993]

14 hours ago, doc25 said:

Please post the letter for review. Redact or darken out any personal identifying information.

Hey Doc,

 

you actually reviewed my letter before on here said it was pretty good. I will post it again here though:

Re: Confidential Evaluation of (blank)

Date of Birth: (blank)

To Whom It May Concern:

On May 7, 2019, I provided a clinical evaluation for (blank).

Mr. (blank) has been suffering from Tinnitus since his service in the Marine Corps.  His service in the infantry resulted in significant and persistent symptoms consistent with the Tinnitus diagnosis,  Since his discharge in May of 20…, symptoms have persisted without hope of treatment by physicians. 

Incessant noise from the Tinnitus prevent him from obtaining adequate sleep and negatively affect his ability to concentrate or focus on his studies.  The symptoms have also prevented him from retaining work.

The constant noise and lack of hope for improvement have been extremely distressing for Mr. (blank).  He often experiences severe panic attacks in areas including his classroom, to the extent that he needs to remove himself immediately to calm down.  Mr. (blank) denies current suicidal thinking and no psychotic thinking was present. His sense of hopelessness, fear, and helplessness over the Tinnitus have contributed significantly to symptoms of both depression and extreme anxiety.  

According to his history, symptoms of depression and anxiety did not exist prior to his diagnosis of Tinnitus. Likewise, Mr. (blank) seemed receptive to any strategies proposed to him in the hope of managing the symptoms. All strategies attempted including meditation, supplements, sound machines, etc., have proved ineffective in managing the extreme Tinnitus symptoms.

Given his current emotional state and the clear history of how and when his symptoms became apparent, it is in my strong clinical opinion that Mr. (blank) significant anxiety and depressive symptoms are more likely than not caused by his diagnosis of Tinnitus. 

With Mr. (blank)’s consent, please contact me with any further questions.

Sincerely,

Dr. (Blank)

 

 I also submitted the research article you told me to. 

[vetquest]

Sounds like it has everything you need except your doctor's credentials.  This is important, it gives credibility to the letter.

Edited June 22, 2019 by vetquest

[Mover1993]

33 minutes ago, vetquest said:

Sounds like it has everything you need except your doctor's credentials.  This is important, it gives credibility to the letter.

The credentials are attached to the letter. I just removed them for PII reasons. 

[Mover1993]

Is there any reason ya'll think they wouldn't grant me an exam?