Hello,
I am new and first time posting.
I have been awarded with 100% P&T for, "PTSD, with unspecified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorder and unspecified depressive disorder (also claimed as bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder, anxiety, and insomnia)" I am thankful to have gotten this new rating at my first evaluation from TDRL 90% to this 100% P&T effective June of 2016, and not had to fight it and fight it. Stress in general exacerbates my symptoms. I believe that I should have been considered for some level of SMC. I am living with a friend now and she is like a care taker for me. I am aware of the Care Taker program but I cannot even imagine having the VA so involved in my daily life. My symptoms would be through the roof. I am aware of Aid and Assistance through SMC but I am not sure which letter it is. The thing is I really need the 100% P&T and I am afraid to submit a request for SMC and have my case "reopened." What are your thoughts on this? Recently the friend who helps me quit her job because I was very depressed and feeling suicidal. So, I am taking care of the bills that we were mostly splitting 50/50 and her individual car and insurance. I became suicidal when my doctor informed me two months ago I am about to be diabetic, have a fatty liver and just developed hypothyroidism. My medications make me very lethargic and I have gained a lot of weight. As far as the diabetes and hypothyroidism, liver I would be afraid of adding any "new" diagnoses for the reason above. I don't even know if the VA would see those as secondary to my PTSD and Sleep Apnea. Which are the two things I am rated for.
Thank you for any input!
I am new and first time posting.
I have been awarded with 100% P&T for, "PTSD, with unspecified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorder and unspecified depressive disorder (also claimed as bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder, anxiety, and insomnia)" I am thankful to have gotten this new rating at my first evaluation from TDRL 90% to this 100% P&T effective June of 2016, and not had to fight it and fight it. Stress in general exacerbates my symptoms. I believe that I should have been considered for some level of SMC. I am living with a friend now and she is like a care taker for me. I am aware of the Care Taker program but I cannot even imagine having the VA so involved in my daily life. My symptoms would be through the roof. I am aware of Aid and Assistance through SMC but I am not sure which letter it is. The thing is I really need the 100% P&T and I am afraid to submit a request for SMC and have my case "reopened." What are your thoughts on this? Recently the friend who helps me quit her job because I was very depressed and feeling suicidal. So, I am taking care of the bills that we were mostly splitting 50/50 and her individual car and insurance. I became suicidal when my doctor informed me two months ago I am about to be diabetic, have a fatty liver and just developed hypothyroidism. My medications make me very lethargic and I have gained a lot of weight. As far as the diabetes and hypothyroidism, liver I would be afraid of adding any "new" diagnoses for the reason above. I don't even know if the VA would see those as secondary to my PTSD and Sleep Apnea. Which are the two things I am rated for.
Thank you for any input!