Uncovering the Truth About VA Compensation for Anxiety and Depression

[@eddiesgourmetkitchen]

I had a fellow vet say something along the lines of "you're rolling in dough because of your pension and VA disability" I was like bro, I'd rather be able to sleep and not have PTSD from service than the extra money...Nothing is free.

[@Mark-yy2py]

Hi Craig. Fellow AF Vet. Love your site. Been out of pocket for a few months. Currently at 90 percent. Working on trying to get to the 100 mark. Your advice is the reason I went from 50 to 80 to 90! Thanks.

[@DavidWDavis-xo4tj]

Army/Navy Vet here... I went from 10% Tinnitus to 70% MH secondary to Tinnitus, all in a year... Filing all on my own..... Hearing loss was Deferred!

[@DavidWDavis-xo4tj]

Also, my ETS was in 1983.... I'm 65 now! Is my age going to protect my rating... 55 rule!

[@rogersmith7808]

@@DavidWDavis-xo4tj As long as you don't file any more claims that might trigger a review of your MH symptoms you should be fine.

[@DavidWDavis-xo4tj]

@@rogersmith7808 Thank you Sir ....

[@lovinglife1962]

​@DavidWDavis-xo4tj same here exactly like yours. I got out in 82. I also got TDIU now as well with my 70%

[@Winedawg2564]

I just did my C&P exam for anxiety secondary to tinnitus and depression secondary to lower back. I don't know how it went but only time can tell. I just went with depression secondary to lower back because it's easier to prove as it's a more physical injury with more sufficient evidence.

[@HAILHYDRA666]

I recently got 10% for anxiety and got another c&p exam next week for depression & headaches.

[@arugula3134]

thanks combat Craig I have headaches everyday have to take Tylenol not fully recovered after the surgery still holes. dont want to go back to surgery again. already on disability not va

[@smokinchuck]

I just recently got a 70% rating for my depression, but got denied for my knees and OSA. But also getting a new hearing test next week. Already have hearing aids from the last one in 2017. See if my hearing has gotten anymore jacked up and put in a supplemental claim. See if it can get more than 0% that I have right now for bilateral hearing loss.

[@DailyJoke198]

Great info here. Been following your videos for a while. Followed this step by step and just received my rating and was awarded 100% P&T for MH. I’m even more anxious now as I’m worried they all be targeting me with reviews to try to drop me down as often as they can. Any advice to keep my rating safe?

[@michaelsevery6611]

Your VA provider is required if asked to provide you a form of a nexus, it's not a choice for them. "Directive 1134 is a crucial document that veterans can use to assert their rights to assistance from VA Health Care Providers. This directive, available on the VA website, outlines the policy requiring providers to aid patients in completing various medical forms, including those related to disability benefits."

[@alexdinero8284]

Right on! Did you get that Combat Craig? You should do a youtube on that.

[@rogersmith7808]

The word "nexus" doesn't appear anywhere in 1134 and the directive actually states "Service connection and disability ratings for VA benefits are purely legal determinations belonging exclusively to the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). VHA providers often do not have access to military medical records, and may not be familiar with all the health issues specific to military service, such as environmental exposure. Additionally, the issues of service connection and disability ratings are governed by statutory and regulatory provisions beyond the scope of VHA examination and/or primary care. Consequently, they are often not well suited to assess causality of current condition in a manner helpful to inform the VBA adjudication process". It does require providers to fill out DBQs which may or may not ask the provider to give a medical opinion on service connection. Your best bet is to ask your provider to annotate your medical records if they agree your condition is SC or is secondary to another SC condition you are rated for.

[@alexdinero8284]

@@rogersmith7808 "VHA providers often do not have access to military medical records, and may not be familiar with all the health issues specific to military service, such as environmental exposure. " The veteran would be bring the service records to the appointment with the claim. The veteran would bring to the appointment the details of the service "environmental exposure" just like they would do for your "nexus" provider. For full disclosure do you have an "interest" in promoting making disabled veterans PAY for their government benefit for a medical opinion?

[@justcallmejoeable]

Thanks for sharing Craig!

[@AmericanFaction]

thanks cc 🙏🙏

[@armymutt25A]

Anyone else concerned about a depression diagnosis and loss of concealed carry permit? I know of veterans in NC who have lost their ability to carry a firearm because they have a depression diagnosis. That would cause me even further depression. I'm not sure it's worth even mentioning it at an exam. This is why I have been avoiding the MH people for 20 years.

[@shawncunliffe6801]

The VA already determined that I have clinical depression from chronic pain, but they never increased my rate. big surprise.

[@daveprice9128]

I got 10 percent for hearing loss and tinnitus

[@charleshill3503]

Why does working have anything to do with MH 100%? We're not talking about TDIU. But meeting other criteria? How in the hell am I supposed to not work? Does the VA expect me to be homeless before they give me 100%? I don't understand. I HAVE TO WORK. There is no "I'm unable to work". What am I missing and how has this gone on for so long? I can get 100 from ten ratings and the VA doesn't care...it's so painful to see this fact suffering the way I do.

[@kyedyes7553]

My anxiety/depression claim turned into bipolar over 10 years. Now it's permanent and total 🤷‍♂️

[@miraclelong9415]

@@kyedyes7553 how did you link it as secondary

[@steverose7122]

the va process is weird. i recently had a c&p exam for insomnia i got denied but was diagnosed with anxiety and depressed mood

[@recoveryrider6183]

I don't know if it's better to go depression route or PTSD for mental health 🤷‍♀🤷‍♀

[@danielsanchez205]

I filed for depression and anxiety, but the C and P examiner rated me as PTSD. It is under Mental Health for all those conditions explained, so it just depends on your personal experience in the military

[@recoveryrider6183]

Thanks for reply. I have Tinnitus so I could file under that or go PTSD. Same with Insomnia, it could go Tinnitus or PTSD or COPD, but the Apnea would probably go with COPD better I'm trying to figure out best way to group this all as I see a rep next week to file.