Depression secondary to service connected disabilities in Mental Health Issues Forum

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Depression secondary to service connected disabilities

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Hankhill	Depression secondary to service connected disabilities		Lead	[-]
Posts: 28 Feb 13 09 10:36 PM	Hi to all. I am service connected with the following conditions: Left ankle- 20% Left Knee- 20% Fibromyalgia-20% Left Hip-10% Lower Back-10% Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-10% Tinnitus-10% Left eye-0% (shrapnel removed) 70% combined rating I have recently been diagnosed with major depression by the VA due to the problems above. I am having alot of problems at work due to all of this stuff. Is this something that I can file a claim for on a secondary basis? Also, what are the ratings for depression? Thanks in advance.
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KP4VCC		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1340 Feb 13 09 10:44 PM	First welcome to VBN, The answer to your Q, is YES and the rating range from 0%, 10%, 20, 30%, 50%, 70%, and if I'm not wrong 100%. Good Luck, if I'm wrong I will be corrected soon. "LIFE IS A SERIES OF ENCOUNTERS AND FAREWELLS" evw and through them we grow and become more mature. 80% SC/PT, IU, SSDI, OWCP
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fanaticbooks		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 4165 Feb 13 09 10:45 PM	I am no expert and one will come along.....Yes, depression is a legitimate claim. My hubby has it secondary to diabetes. I'm not sure of the ratings, but am sure it can be allowed if found to be legitimate. Good luck and thank you for protecting me and mine. fanaticbooks
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brianwl		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 11847 Feb 13 09 10:45 PM Does not play well With others.	Hankhill, Welcome to VBN. Yes you can claim depression as a secondary condition if your Dr puts in writing that he/she feels your depression the direct result of your service connected disabilities. Depression is rated 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%.
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exjarhead		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 947 Feb 13 09 10:50 PM	Welcome and thank you for your service. You need to see a copy of the CFR38- to understand a little more about how KP4v came up with those numbers. I tried to post a link--but couldnt. Do a google search for VA CFR38-and you should be able to get it. Once you have it go to the mental health section and read. good luck
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usnpaprpusher		#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 199 Feb 14 09 9:08 AM	Welcome Hankhill! I'm on meds for my depression due to my SC knee injury (just had a total knee replacement last year). The meds are definitely helping me. Since you had mentioned you're having problems at work, for me, I can really tell a difference as far as being able to focus better in my day-to-day work activities. I didn't want to admit to my depression, but finally was talked into having myself evaluated by the VA and sure enough, I had all the symptoms. So don't wait any longer to file, you'll be glad you did. Good luck, usnpaprpusher
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Vet10		#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1906 Feb 14 09 9:44 AM	Before you file I recommend you get copies of your medical progress notes from your Shrink. Make sure there is a nexus, a direct link, relating your depression to your SC disabilities in them. This is critical. Don't file unless it is there. I had folks telling me to file after one visit with the Shrink, but I waited until I had the documentation linking it. The C&P examiner quoted stuff from my medical progress notes. Claim approved. General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders: Total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms as: gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name ........100 Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively;impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance andhygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting); inability to establish and maintain effective relationships .......70 Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability andproductivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment of short- and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learnedmaterial, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; impairedabstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships ............... 50 Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in workefficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, recent events) ..........30 Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupationaltasks only during periods of significant stress, or; symptoms controlled by continuous medication .......10 A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and socialfunctioning or to require continuous medication............... 0 Vet10 100% IU - Permanent and Total "You win some, lose some, some get rained out, but you have to dress for them all." Edited 1 time by Vet10 Feb 15 09 1:12 AM.
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delta18071		#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 199 Feb 14 09 11:03 AM	Hankhill, Yes you can get a secondary condition for depression related to anyone of those SC. I have 10% SC for Patella Femoral Pain Syndrome of the left knee. It has kept me from purusing various careers and being a success which has led to depression. I just received a rating of 30% for depression and looking at the 50% I may have new evidence to seek an increase.
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Hankhill		#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 28 Feb 14 09 7:26 PM	Thanks for all of the replies and information. Looks like I meet at least a 10% rating, possibly a 30% rating for depression. We'll see what the head doc says. Thanks again, Hankhill
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Patrick428		#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 5218 Feb 14 09 10:16 PM Go Tar Heels! Closet Vols Fan	Hankhill, Being a former C and P examiner I empathize with you about all your disabilities. When looking at the list of problems you have, I did not notice any mention of pain with any of your SC conditions. I am not saying you will not get a rating for depression, but you would have a stronger case if pain and sleep issues because of pain were part of your depression claim. When it comes to mental health issues with the VA you either have to have a diagnosis while in the military or show that something that is SC is generating the depression. So when filing carefully state it in such a way as to show a direct cause and effect of your depression. Plus it would not hurt to have your psychologist or psychiatrist form a nexus between your SC conditions and your depression. Patrick
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Hankhill		#10	[url]	[-]
Posts: 28 Feb 15 09 2:07 AM	Hi Patrick. I should hav given more detail in my earlier post. I have chronic pain due to my injuries and the fibromyalgia along with chronic fatigue syndrome. I had a sleep study a while back and was diagnosed with unspecified sleep disorder (whatever that means) and was prescribed a CPAP machine to aid with sleep. I have also been to the pain clinic several times, where they basically just wanted to dope me up on opiates to control the pain. So far I have resisted the opiates route, and Im taking Lyrica, cyclobenziprine, amitryptiline, and oxaprozin to help control the pain issues. This stuff has been going on for close to 18 years now and like a good Jarhead, I have been sucking it up and dealing with it as best I can, but it has gotten to the point that it consumes my life. I was once very outgoing, had lots of friends, and enjoyed life. I dont seem to enjoy much of anything anymore, it has taken its toll on me. I'm scared to death of losing my job, my family and what few friends I have left over all of this crap. The shrink has already attributed the depression to my service connected problems, so I'm hoping if I file a claim for it, that it would be approved. I just don't know if I want to put myself through the claims process again, it's pretty dam stressful in itself. I hope that gives you a little better idea of what Im dealing with, and thanks, I appreciate your advice.
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veterun		#11	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1083 Feb 15 09 12:16 PM	I can relate to the sleepless nites associated with pain,I havent slept thru a nite in 20 years due to pain associated to disease.My back and legs feel like a cat claws on a chalk board that build until my heart jumps and into my head.......a crawling neurological effect that builds and builds...Then the tiredness thru the day,more like a clouded world of vision and headaches to match.Then stomach upset and muscle joints aching.........I get so tired of it.....fever that comes and goes.........life just sucks so much at times.Always sick,whatever comes around you get it an altered immune system due to undiagnosed disease. Depression hell,I ve had that due to these symptons for years but no comp for it as secondary and why go thru all that hell again for a few more percentage points..... I would rather have the last 20 years back again and be fit and healthy,but you never know what your gonna get dealt. I had a buddy in sigonella sicily who ate some tainted food served at the galley by this hired italian cook in the mess hall back in 85.In a few short days a organism had ate away and into his stomach and intestinal track befor they caught it.He loved the navy but they put him out on 50% medical after he had 3 surgeries on his stomach, Even today he lives in a camper close to any naval base just because the navy was the only family he had.He was orphaned at an early age with no family to take him in and he joined up at 17.........I still see him from time to time...... Edited 2 times by veterun Feb 15 09 12:30 PM.
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SgtD6970		#12	[url]	[-]
Posts: 4277 Feb 16 09 11:39 PM	vetetrun This may be off topic but it won't be the first time or the last... That story of the Navy vet really touched me....I know he's not the only vet that really never had a family until they joined the military and it's just to bad he couldn't stay in...I wish him well...Sgt D US Army Retired Vietnam 1969-70 90% IU P&T SSDI
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SgtD6970		#13	[url]	[-]
Posts: 4277 Feb 16 09 11:47 PM	Every time I go to see my PCP they always ask if I have depression, well hell yes I do, and my PCP has put in my doctor notes that due to my disabilities my life expectancies were slim and that I was a presented SOB....So I guess you could sorta say yes I am depressed most of the time....I have filed for it as secondary to lung cancer that is SC, so I'll have to wait and see how it turns out....Sgt D US Army Retired Vietnam 1969-70 90% IU P&T SSDI
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Bluehair	This is not my thread, but let me ask a question	#14	[url]	[-]
Posts: 40 Feb 19 09 11:51 AM	I am now 70%, all for PTSD. In the award letter they denied my service connection for depression because they said there was no evidence in my service medical records for treatment while in the service, but I never asked for that to be considered. My request was only for PTSD. The C&P exam said I also had depression. Should I file again and ask for Depression secondary to PTSD? Does it matter? I thought they lump all these mental things in one big pot and in my case say 70%. Input would be most welcome!
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Aim4fun	All in one	#15	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1178 Feb 19 09 12:47 PM	Bluehair....... You are right they are going to lump them all together. You can only get one rating for any and all mental claims. aim 11B Bco. 1/502 101st PTSD 100% P&T Phu Bai 12/69 to 03/71 IHD 100% SSDI SMC S SMC K
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Bluehair	So should I ask for it as SC?	#16	[url]	[-]
Posts: 40 Feb 19 09 2:21 PM	Is there any reason to ask for it to be included? If I'm 70% for PTSD, without consideration of the depression, is there any reason why I would want to add depression as SC? My gaf score was 41, so would that change? I don't think it would. Bottom line is the next level is 100%. If the depression were bad enough, would they elevate me to the next step if 70% was PTSD and say they said depression was secondary and was 50% or whatever it would take to go to 100% for mental stuff. Would they ever do that? If not then why should I care if they classified it secondary or not?
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HelloWork		#17	[url]	[-]
Posts: 447 Feb 22 09 2:41 AM	Bluehair wrote: I am now 70%, all for PTSD. In the award letter they denied my service connection for depression because they said there was no evidence in my service medical records for treatment while in the service, but I never asked for that to be considered. My request was only for PTSD. The C&P exam said I also had depression. Should I file again and ask for Depression secondary to PTSD? Does it matter? I thought they lump all these mental things in one big pot and in my case say 70%. Input would be most welcome! My VSO told me that if you get a Service Related PTSD of any rating, you can always get a higher rating with PTSD. She said, "For instance, you get a divorce and you are depressed and angry and etc., you can get a higher rating for PTSD." She told me that PTSD is the only Medical Condition that is based soley on your self-observational reports. For instance, I hallucinate. My logic is not gone and I used my GI Bill to graduate in Philosopy, Cum Laude. However, between classes, I was sitting on the grass hallucinating. I could not work because I was off in La La Land for so many years until I ran into a Vietnam Vet who asked me if I wanted to go to the VA Hosp to get signed up for a VA ID Card. I did not know why. He told me I should apply for PTSD. I did not know what that was then. I got the VA ID but I thought that since I was 10% I could not go for other issues. Finally, my issues with nerve pain was causing me sleep deprivation and nightmares. So, I went to the doctor. I never asked them to give me a Consult to the PTSD intake. I kept refusing to be seen. Then one doctor told me that if I did do the PTSD, I would get 100%. Finally, I got over being Dx'd with PTSD. In my case, I thought I was going crazy so I kept journals. That was the only way I could discern if I was awake or dreaming/nightmaring. When I began journaling my pain, I began to come up with a complete self-report for my doctors. They did not like the fact that I could understand their top secret medical lingo. But, finally after needling them, triggering them, and arguing with them, I got all my Brain MRIs/Polytrauma/Neurology/Neurosphyschology/Speech Pathology/Eyes and Ears tested. After all of that, I got a more complete diagnostic medical picture so that the C&P have really good workups in my Progress Notes. Call me Crazy: I hallucinate in the VA Hosp lobby. At least I am clean and sober and I get free wireless tv. My Brain is Not Fried: it is Well Done! FYI: 50% from 30% Myofascial Pain, %20 Left Shoulder Impingement Syndrom; 10% Painful Surgical Scar; Pending Increase for Secondary issues -Chronic PTSD, MDD, Sleep Disorders--Sleep Apnea and Restless Legs, Chronic Headaches/Dizziness, Peripheral Nerve Pain, SC Surgical 5" with Bone Transplant residual Nerve Pain,Bi-lateral Shoulder Impingement (one original injury site, second compensation overuse), Cervicalgia (C6 Anualar Tear and Herniated C7) in Rating Board since April 27, 2009: Rated July 1, 2009; Official Letter-Rec'd July 6, 2009; NOD Secondary issues rating decision July 10, 2010; added items to NOD April 14, 2010; Awarded 10% for second Surgical Scar, totalling 60% SC; Awaiting NOD IU and other issues Decision from DRO.
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SpecTru		#18	[url]	[-]
Posts: 5 Oct 1 10 9:53 AM	First I would like to say hello to everyone. I also have some questions for those that are more experienced and knowledged on the VA claims and or eligibility. I have put in a claim for PTSD, Migraines, and a Pelvic fracture. At the time that I put the claim in I did not know how to word my claim for the pelvic fracture that had occurred 3 times in the same spot while in service so I just worded it as Pelvic Fracture. I have been going to the VA doctors since my return from Iraq for my PTSD, migraines and is currently on medications for the chronic pain that I suffer from in my perlvic area. I am also on meds for the PTSD. I have to take medication everyday for the depresion and for my migraines and also at night I have to take medication for the nightmares, another one for paranoia, and another one to help me to go to sleep. I still wake in the middle of the night with nightmares and wake up in cold sweats but the doc said that she could not raise my dose of meds due to my migraines. It has been a year since my claim has been sent in but now I must go to C&P appointments for the migraines and the PTSD. I have lost my job due to my migraines and my PTSD and is currently unemployed. I got a lay statement from my former employer that only stated that I was absent from work for about 5 days a month due to my migraines. I was just wondering if anyone knew if anyof my claims would make me eligible for compensation?
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Testvet		#19	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1972 Oct 1 10 3:45 PM	they will not add extra percentage for depression most of us with PTSD have multiple mental health diagnosis they rate the most severe and ignore the other issues if you are rated for PTSD there is no reason to file a secondary claim for depression it won't help you any if you think your PTSD is keeping you from working you need to get a doctor to write in your treatment records that your PTSD symptoms are preventing you from being able to keep a job and it is making you unemployable and then ask for either TDIU or a 100% rating your claim will go farther if your treating doc supports it in the treatment notes you don't need special letters just ask them about it at your next scheduled appt my shrink wrote the same stmt every Feb since 2003 I was rated 100% P&T in 2006 back to Dec 2003 based on his treatment notes I have been seeing the same doc since I walked into VA mental health in Jan 2003 which is a long time at a VA hospital they change my primary care doc annually and my cardiac every 2 years I think it helps that I see the Clinic director I asked him once a long time ago to write a letter to help me with my claim he told me everything I needed was in my treatment records to get me 100% and he was right there was no way for the C&P docs to contradict his treatment notes the first time they awarded me 50% his notes made them look like idiots so when the DRO saw his notes and the C&P my appeal was a clam dunk they didn't even try 70% or TDIU they went straight to 100% P&T because of his records docs can be your best asset always read the treatment notes go by ROI office 3-4 times a year and get copies of everything since your last visit so you will know what the docs are writing about you if there is a mistake it's easier to get it corrected while it's still fresh and not ancient history or the doc leaves and then you can't get it corrected
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deedsdoer	Awesome Thread	#20	[url]	[-]
Posts: 169 Jun 27 11 12:09 PM	The information posted here has helped me understand a lot about my sc pain and depression . Just wanted to say thanks to everyone that has contributed.
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