Mental health medicine

[1454th Solider]

Should you tell the C&P examiner, if asked, about any medication you have been prescribed for a mental health issue, if you are trying to get it service connected. Can that hurt your rating or worst?

Edited May 7, 2020 by 1454th Solider

[1454th Solider]

32 minutes ago, brokensoldier244th said:

Medication is not a cure anymore than a prosthetic is.

Thank you, I'm just new to the process and some people have told me it's to keep it to myself and don't give them a reason to deny. It's sad that some raters think your compensation is coming out of their pay check!

[1454th Solider]

2 hours ago, Sgt. Wilky said:

I'm a big advocate of honesty. It would seem to me that if your C&P examiner is examining you for a mental health claim, prescribed medications from other mental health doctors would seem to help your claim. When the VA asks for other medical records and they end up getting them, they will see you were prescribed those meds anyway. There is no reason to withhold that information.

Sgt. Wilky

 

2 hours ago, GBArmy said:

Both excellent responses. It more than likely would help your claim. If you have an outside doc prescribing meds, as long as they are legal, it can only make your symptoms more clear. 

Thanks for your quick responses guys. I was just concerned that the VA may suggest that since your current diagnosed condition is being treated, then you must cured or your rating should be lower.

2 hours ago, brokensoldier244th said:

What are you asking? They are going to see it anyway- and if they don’t the rater will. Why wouldnt you, unless you aren’t really prescribed something and are self prescribing or buying online somewhere?

Thanks for your quick responses guys. I was just concerned that the VA may suggest that since your current diagnosed condition is being treated, then you must cured or your rating should be lower.

[brokensoldier244th]

17 minutes ago, 1454th Solider said:

Thank you, I'm just new to the process and some people have told me it's to keep it to myself and don't give them a reason to deny. It's sad that some raters think your compensation is coming out of their pay check!

By not giving them evidence you are giving more chance for denial

[GBArmy]

Current treatment doesn't impact VA's requirement of current diagnosis of a disability condition. If you have hearing aides because of a s-c condition, the VA doesn't discount your conditions. You get rated based on what you are tested out for on the audiology test. Another example, if you have diabetes, the fact that you take meds doesn't decrease your ratings; in fact, it is a factor in determining how greater your comp will be. You'll be ok.

[1454th Solider]

2 hours ago, GBArmy said:

Current treatment doesn't impact VA's requirement of current diagnosis of a disability condition. If you have hearing aides because of a s-c condition, the VA doesn't discount your conditions. You get rated based on what you are tested out for on the audiology test. Another example, if you have diabetes, the fact that you take meds doesn't decrease your ratings; in fact, it is a factor in determining how greater your comp will be. You'll be ok.

Thank you GBarmy I have more clarity now.

[Newdisabledvet]

I am currently rated at 70% for bipolar. I told them everything at my exam. Including the fact that my doc was still adjusting my meds. 

You have to describe your worst days and be completely honest. If they ask you a question if you don't know say you don't and they will expalin it to you. 

I have only seen private docs so far and they are the ones to prescribe everything. I haven't been to the VA yet.