First off I would like to say thank you for taking the time to look and help if you can. I have bipolar type II rapid cycling, PTSD , BED , GAD. I am seeking help as there is no where else to turn and a friend that is not on the forum recommended me not only for my SS but as a way for me to start the healing process as I can not go to "normal groups due to my extreme GAD and PTSD. Again thank you for taking the time and if there is any way I can help just ask.

The judge asked that there be another review, just in case since the last one was done almost a year ago that things have changed. I am bipolar type II rapid cycling, ptsd, bed, and last but not least gad. Just to put this in there my VA U of M Doctor has put my GAF at 40 however it has dropped over this year.

I received a letter stating that he had gotten the new review and that if no new evidence that submitted that he would make his decision in 10 days. I called my lawyer and asked about the new review because I had a odd feeling about it, I was right she said that " I was good to go " all of this after a 12-15min meeting, nothing like my last eval.

I asked my lawyer what we could do she said that I should write a statement about what I remember that day. So I did and then she asked if my VA doctor would fill out a MRFC which she did as she was very mad about what the other doctor did.

Now my question is after this gets entered into evidence A) does he take the word of a U.S. Army solider now medically retired (yes I get a 1599R from DoD) for the same conditions that he is looking at me now for, and a VA U of M Doctor's report over this other person? B) After all the evidence has been submitted does he then restart the 10 day count down for a decision or just make it right then, or even pick up with how many days there were left?


I know this is a lot of questions and a massive wall of text but I felt that the "community" would be the best place to get these answers next to my lawyer which is out of town most of next week.


Christopher M.

GAF scores are no longer considered by SS, so that won't really help you.

What % has the military decided that your disability is rated at?

What reasons or reasons did the Appeal Council remand your case for?

You should have a full year of medical records as new evidence. How often are you going to your doctors? Are you also seeing a therapist? If yes, how often?

How long have you seen this VA doc? And how many many times?

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/profes...videntiary.htm

GAF scores are no longer considered by SS, so that won't really help you.
1. I did not know this I only put this out there as that is what was asked by the Judge at my hearing.

What % has the military decided that your disability is rated at?
2. I was given 30% with the option to appeal if needed however as I stated it was not a med board but a retirement with full honors i.e. meaning I can go onto any base at any time as a full retired vet can.

What reasons or reasons did the Appeal Council remand your case for?
3. This is my first hearing, as they screwed up and did not enter me in under the wounded warriors act as soon as they found the error they slotted me for a hearing.

You should have a full year of medical records as new evidence. How often are you going to your doctors? Are you also seeing a therapist? If yes, how often?
4. I have several years of medical records as to which we have submittied to the judge. The only thing he asked for was another eval since the last one had been about a year old. I have a psychiatrist that I seen when I can meaning her schedule which can be as little as a well all the way to 8 weeks which has been the norm

How long have you seen this VA doc? And how many many times?
5. I have seen here since this time last year and the doctor that she replaced I saw for three years as she retired. I have only been to the VA for treatment as the judge did say that was a good thing as everything looked "clean and in order".


The new eval that was done made even my VA U of M Doctor mad. She said that how can she say your meds are stable when I have changed them several times of the course of this year let alone changing the dosage as recent as 3 days before trial.

Are you talking about a psych eval that SS sent you to? SS doesn't usually send you to these if you have sufficient medical evidence. Seeing your psychiatrist every few months is fine, but if your impairments are severe enough to qualify for SSDI, the norm is to see a therapist as well. SS will give your treating docs more weight than a CE that SS sent you to. The link I provided will give a thorough explanation.

The DSM V invalidated GAF scores in 2013, it's possible your ALJ is still allowing them, but most are not.

Even vets with ratings of 100% are sometimes denied, but 30% seems low. --This is not something I have in depth knowledge of though.

I guess I was confused with when your 1st hearing occurred. I thought there was a year between and an appeal. You appear to just be having an auxiliary hearing.