Anxiety - am I doing this right?

[USMCNASA]

Brand new here.  I'm posting because I'm so confused and unsure if I'm doing the right stuff, or if I should be doing it at all.

I'm hoping to find answers on how to file a claim for GAD/Major depression.  Here's my story.

1996-2000 high school captain of soccer and baseball teams.  Captain of Snare Drum line in marching band.

2000 - enlist in USMC, squad leader in boot camp, meritoriously promoted to PFC at graduation.

2001 - Class leader in A school

2002 - PCS to Japan (Iwakuni) volunteer for secondary school, awarded Microminiature soldering credentials.  Perform extra duties and awarded Meritorious Mast for going above and beyond.  Compete in meritorious board for Cpl, and win.

2002 cont. While celebrating the win (but not yet actually promoted) engage in arm wrestling match, and lose, terribly.  Suffer spiral fracture which requires evacuation to naval hospital for surgery - internal fixation (plate and 8 screws).  Require months of rehab, and continuous wear of mechanical brace and continued light duty for months.

Ok, this is where things get hairy.

2002 cont. PCS back stateside (NY) while still wearing mechanical brace and on light duty.  Within 1 week of reporting, promotion ceremony is held.  I had to be promoted while wearing a brace and a sling, no "pinning" of rank and no "earning" of blood stripe.  From this point on, I'm pretty much viewed as a punk, and a melingerer.  I stop volunteering for extra duties or assignments, motivation drops, etc.

2003 - Drink heavily.  Merry an awful woman who is into drugs.

2004 - pop on piss test.  Before NJP, I make Sergeant due to previous meritorious promotions and excellent pro/con, rifle, PFT scores.  This infuriates most Marines in my squadron, and further solidifies my reputation as a shitbird, because I am a piss-popped mellinger who made Sergeant before most people.

2004 cont. NJPed, busted down to Cpl. Result of NJP is that I will not be discharged, based on demonstration of excellent performance earlier in service, but will not be allowed to re-enlist.  During a PT session I fall and get a class III AC joint separation, which again requires light duty and use of a sling.  Anyone who didn't think I was a melingerer before, starts thinking/calling me one now.

2005 - EAS.

2005 - Civilian diagnosed with everything from ADHD, to GAD, to MDD, to bipolar.  Various medications do not improve mental performance or fatigue.  

2013 - buddy talks me in to visiting VA for disability due to arm.  Awarded 30%, feel like I don't deserve it because of NJP.

2019 - visit VA mental health clinic, diagnosed with GAD and MDD.  Therapist suggests sleep study.  Just got results.  I have mild sleep apnea.

 

I have decided to file a claim for GAD/MDD and sleep apnea.  I have buddy statements on the official VA forms from Marines who served with me from boot camp through Japan stating I was a stellar Marine.  I have statements from Marines who served with me in NY stating I was not at all stellar, and performed poorly.  I have statements from civilian coworkers stating I had performance issues, was fired from a job, and was on the chopping block at another.

I have medical records from Naval hospitals for all my injuries.

So, from other service members, does it sound like I have any chance at a case? How should I file? I have an appointment with my previous Psych. Nurse Practitioner in 2 months from now, to request a nexus letter.  I don't know if she will write one, but based on our prior treatment session discussions, I believe she agrees my GAD and MDD or related to my service.

Where do I go from here?  Should I even be filing a case at all?

[USMCNASA]

I have a post on here that covers the outcome of my claim, but I will post a synopsis here.

I did not get a medical nexus, and hoped the VA would find my medical records, buddy statements, current VA MH records, and my own statement compelling enough to award me.

They did not.

From my C&P I was diagnosed with Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep Apnea; however, none of them were found to be service connected.  My denial letter states a "lack of continuity of symptoms".  Additionally, during the C&P I spoke with the examiner about current things going on my life (death of Father-in law) and the examiner stated in the letter that my mental health issues were attributed to current events in my life.

That's funny, seeing as I was diagnoses with anxiety and depression from the VA years before the death of my Father-in law.  Aggravating.

One other really neat thing the VA did, was they scheduled my final exam interview for the same day the notification came in the mail of the examination, so I obviously missed it.  Nice.  Real nice, VA.

I am now figuring out what I need to do to appeal.

 

 

 

[USMCNASA]

I updated my other post on here with results, but in case anyone stumbles on this and finds it useful- I won my claim.  I was awarded a 50% rating for anxiety and depression.

[john999]

You can work on that 50% and get to 70%-100% if you play your cards right.  Also any physical disabilites will be added to your overall rating such as your sleep apnea etc.

[MaverickFarmer]

When it comes to anxiety, it can be a bit overwhelming, but you're definitely not alone. Remember, everyone's journey is unique, so there's no one "right" way to deal with it. Taking small steps and finding what works for you is key. And don't worry, you have the potential to make significant progress—aim for that 70%-100% range! By considering factors like physical disabilities and addressing issues like sleep apnea, you're taking a holistic approach, which is fantastic. By the way, if you're looking for some recommendations, have you checked out the XXXXXXX? They might have products that could be helpful on your journey. Keep up the great work!

Edited August 17, 2023 by Rattler
No links to advertising.

[john999]

If you are taking any sort of tranquilizer for more than a few days you will have symptoms when you suddenly stop taking them worse than narcotics because you risk having a seizure. 

Quote

 

 

[Saddlesore]

On 4/27/2023 at 11:41 AM, USMCNASA said:

I updated my other post on here with results, but in case anyone stumbles on this and finds it useful- I won my claim.  I was awarded a 50% rating for anxiety and depression.

So, you won on appeal?