VA rated 0% for MDD

M

Munkeman

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
My referred condition, which is deemed unfit was rated 0% by VA, which means DoD is 0%.

The 199 stated I was never clinically diagnosed with MDD and that the depression I do have is from alcohol dependency, its the other way around. Which I thought is clear from my notes from my biweekly BH appointments for the last YEAR AND A HALF.(Sober since I started treatment for MDD)

It also stated my alcohol dependency started the day I joined the army, at 18 years old, 8 years ago...again, my records are heavily noted and specifically stated the 2 year period when I started and stopped using alcohol to cope with MDD.

I confirmed I was actually diagnosed by re reviewing my records for over 3 hours. And by contacting my BH psychiatrist.

My C&P for MH went horrible and examiner was rude and short. They did not diagnose me with anything but I was assured this was corrected by a member of the PEB who saw this examiners shortfall.

I'm confused and a bit aggravated. I hoped this would be done sooner, not looking forward to the most likely 5+ month wait for a board.

Meeting with legal asap. Just needed to vent. Thanks for the read.
 
Even though it's never fun to learn you'll be in the pit for longer, just know that the outside appeal process is much worse. Getting this squared away now is the way to go. Wishing the best
 
Munkeman said:
My referred condition, which is deemed unfit was rated 0% by VA, which means DoD is 0%.

The 199 stated I was never clinically diagnosed with MDD and that the depression I do have is from alcohol dependency, its the other way around. Which I thought is clear from my notes from my biweekly BH appointments for the last YEAR AND A HALF.(Sober since I started treatment for MDD)

It also stated my alcohol dependency started the day I joined the army, at 18 years old, 8 years ago...again, my records are heavily noted and specifically stated the 2 year period when I started and stopped using alcohol to cope with MDD.

I confirmed I was actually diagnosed by re reviewing my records for over 3 hours. And by contacting my BH psychiatrist.

My C&P for MH went horrible and examiner was rude and short. They did not diagnose me with anything but I was assured this was corrected by a member of the PEB who saw this examiners shortfall.

I'm confused and a bit aggravated. I hoped this would be done sooner, not looking forward to the most likely 5+ month wait for a board.

Meeting with legal asap. Just needed to vent. Thanks for the read.
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Good luck. Hopefully you can submit a compelling VARR for mental health. What is your proposed ratings VA % total? The weird thing is that because its 0% there would be no VA recoupment from your severance payment. So you could get a big healthy check from the military and ALL of your VA compensation too. The main downside is no floor for compensation since a medical retirement once PDRL is forever regardless of your VA% and you wouldn't get Tricare.

If your VA% was 100% P&T I would be tempted to not appeal and accept the findings. That is because you will get a big severance check. All of your VA compensation which would be around 4k a month tax free and CAMPVA healthcare for you and your family.
 
Provis said:
Good luck. Hopefully you can submit a compelling VARR for mental health. What is your proposed ratings VA % total? The weird thing is that because its 0% there would be no VA recoupment from your severance payment. So you could get a big healthy check from the military and ALL of your VA compensation too. The main downside is no floor for compensation since a medical retirement once PDRL is forever regardless of your VA% and you wouldn't get Tricare.

If your VA% was 100% P&T I would be tempted to not appeal and accept the findings. That is because you will get a big severance check. All of your VA compensation which would be around 4k a month tax free and CAMPVA healthcare for you and your family.
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My total VA % is 70. I feel I have a strong case for a VARR. I think if they correctly rate my MDD and a new development in my back that affects a couple other things. That I will be around 93-95% range. Severance is roughly 67k and some change. But I'm shooting for the 30% for tricare.

I'm meeting with legal and speaking with my provider next week see if they can write something up that clearly defines the onset, severity, and my total treatment time in regards to my MDD.
 
Munkeman said:
My total VA % is 70. I feel I have a strong case for a VARR. I think if they correctly rate my MDD and a new development in my back that affects a couple other things. That I will be around 93-95% range. Severance is roughly 67k and some change. But I'm shooting for the 30% for tricare.

I'm meeting with legal and speaking with my provider next week see if they can write something up that clearly defines the onset, severity, and my total treatment time in regards to my MDD.
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Okay. Good Luck. Remember, even in you do get it increased to 30% or more it will most likely be TDRL so you will need to continue to seek treatment. Also, things such as getting a job or attending college after you get out can affect your mental health ratings.
 
Provis said:
Okay. Good Luck. Remember, even in you do get it increased to 30% or more it will most likely be TDRL so you will need to continue to seek treatment. Also, things such as getting a job or attending college after you get out can affect your mental health ratings.
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Understood, thanks for reaching out! Don't really have someone else to talk about this with, other than a lawyer so I appreciate it!
 
Munkeman said:
Understood, thanks for reaching out! Don't really have someone else to talk about this with, other than a lawyer so I appreciate it!
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Also in addition to VARR you could request a FPEB to add another unfitting condition. its a bit late in the game but its worth a shot if you have anything else that prevents you from doing your job in the military.

I always recommend not making any major changes after you get out if TDRL until your rating is reviewed and changed to PDRL. For a lot of people they improve initially after they get out and then your ratings gets lowered and changed to permanent. Then things get worse but there is nothing they can do at that point. So for me its keep everything the same until its PDRL. Your VA ratings can go up and down but your medical retirement is permanent once PDRL. If God forbid its lowered right after you get out you could end up with severance and no retirement later on.
 
Provis said:
Also in addition to VARR you could request a FPEB to add another unfitting condition. its a bit late in the game but its worth a shot if you have anything else that prevents you from doing your job in the military.

I always recommend not making any major changes after you get out if TDRL until your rating is reviewed and changed to PDRL. For a lot of people they improve initially after they get out and then your ratings gets lowered and changed to permanent. Then things get worse but there is nothing they can do at that point. So for me its keep everything the same until its PDRL. Your VA ratings can go up and down but your medical retirement is permanent once PDRL. If God forbid its lowered right after you get out you could end up with severance and no retirement later on.
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It will be a VARR. On my dbq there was a lot of missing information, inconsistency between my year and half of treatment and clinical notes vs my 30.minute C&p exam. Lawyer says I have a strong case for 70% MH. Going to get my psychiatrist to write up a general summary and his own dbq for shits and giggles. Formal board requested in the meantime to get this together
 
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