Chronic Pain

[30percentermovingup]

Hello, my question is does VA have a specific disability for pain? I just finished a VA disability for ankles, knees and hips. I got it but there was no mention of pain or a disability rating for it. I know people who get disability for pain but apparently that is not a clear and easy way to apply for it from what I am seeing on search.

Can anyone guide me on this?

Thank you.

[ShrekTheTank]

1 minute ago, john999 said:

For those with chronic pain I would file a claim for depression based on chronic pain.  Think about it!  You hurt bad all the time.  You can't do the things you used to do.  Your sleep is poor due to pain.  You may be on opiates for pain which have depression effects and syndromes.  VA considers chronic pain to be a syndrome that is compensable, but I like to roll that into a depression claim.  You won't get 100% for chronic pain but you can get it for depression.  If you can't go in the front door then go in the window.

can you get depression ontop of PTSD?  or do they lump it up together?

[30percentermovingup]

4 minutes ago, shrekthetank1 said:

can you get depression ontop of PTSD?  or do they lump it up together?

I plan on it, getting it for depression. My va files shows depression all the way back. I am just concentrating on the Nod now. Even when I get a 100 percent I will keep going. I still have pelvis, low, mid, upper back. Shoulders, carpal tunnel, depression, anxiety and ptsd. I still need loss of use for feet and hands. I have a ways to got.

[john999]

They lump it!  Depression is a big part of PTSD as is substance abuse.  VA diagnosed me with bipolar, ptsd and schizophrenia.  They just lumped it all together.  I got 70% for that about 20 years ago.  Maybe things have changed but I doubt it.  If you read the symptomology for even 70% for any mental health thing you wonder how anyone gets that rating.  It is probably more possible to get 100% for PTSD than just depression alone.  This is just my opinion and experience talking.

[john999]

30percent

 

            Do you have complete loss of use hands and feet?  That is what is takes for SMC.  Ask James here about that.  I have 40% rating on feet and hands but no extra money for that.  You keep going and don't let anyone discourage you.  Things fall into place in time.  We don't want to lose the use of our hands and feet but if we do we have a right to compensation.

[30percentermovingup]

Actually the regs read if you do as good or better with a prosthetic then it's loss of use. A few criteria but that is the one I will use for both, I can't walk without my orthotics (AFO), I can't use my hands without my carpel tunnel braces.

[Whodat]

I think that we are putting too much on 30percent plate right now. First thing first. If 30 feels that he was lowballed for his last rating, and he is in that one year appeal timeline, he probably should challenge the examiner. Once that claim is closed, he should claim for depression, GERD, etc. 

In the meantime, he should do an ITF. My opinion.