Does anyone have experience with a changed diagnosis?

Pricegoudaprice

Pricegoudaprice

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
Good evening,

I'm kind of at a loss of what steps to take. I had a diagnosis of MDD for months as I have had symptoms for a length of time.
I checked online and without meeting with me or talking about it, my psychiatrist changed my diagnosis to Adjustment Disorder, mixed depression and anxiety.

My med team has been leaning heavily toward a PEB, and the psychiatrist has been hesitant to do so. I am nearing the end of my LIMDU and I am not sure if this is going
to hurt my case. I am going to call my case manager tomorrow but I'm just as a loss as to what is happening at this point.
 
Same thing happened with me , diagnosed with MDD for months and met with a physiatrist for the med board and changed to adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety
 
Well actually my physiatrist didn’t change it not sure if it even changed I just know the physiatrist for the board said there was poor documentation for the MDD
 
I had a misdiagnosis that resulted in the PEB remanding the case back to the MEB.... but that was a neurological condition not psych.
 
Jimmyissmart99 said:
Well actually my physiatrist didn’t change it not sure if it even changed I just know the physiatrist for the board said there was poor documentation for the MDD
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What happened afterward? I’m wondering if I should somehow make more of a paper trail of sorts, just lost. Seems very off to go from MDD to adjustment disorder even without documentation, the limdu MEB already review and agree to it, you know?
 
The way I got the misdiagnosis corrected was that I had two neuro ophthalmologists wrote letters stating the new diagnosis. I went to the Formal PEB and they stated that they would not change the diagnosis. So after that i submitted a VARR and at the same time emailed someone who works for the Va secretary, simply stating that I had a misdiagnosis and wished for a new CP exam to examine the new diagnosis.

This person was like a lightning rod, once she was involved, the VA started calling me asking what they could do to help me!!! It was amazing. The new CP exam resulted in the VARR coming back with a different diagnosis (Myasthenia Gravis instead of somatoform disorder) and of course a new rating. Once this happened the PEB was forced to remand the case back to the MEB so they could change the diagnosis.

The way it worked out for me was that I went from 50% TDRL to 100% PDRL and 100% PT VA. I wasn’t challenging the misdiagnosis in order to get higher ratings, I just wanted the diagnosis and ratings to be correct. Once you get out it is extremely difficult (BCMR) to get things corrected. So I was determined to get them corrected before I was forced out. It worked out great for me, but without the help of the VA person I don’t think I would’ve had such luck. I’d probably still be fighting VA for a correct diagnosis/rating.
 
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Pricegoudaprice said:
What happened afterward? I’m wondering if I should somehow make more of a paper trail of sorts, just lost. Seems very off to go from MDD to adjustment disorder even without documentation, the limdu MEB already review and agree to it, you know?
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Yeah definitely, I was still found unfit and went to a peb so there’s that
 
tony292 said:
The way I got the misdiagnosis corrected was that I had two neuro ophthalmologists wrote letters stating the new diagnosis. I went to the Formal PEB and they stated that they would not change the diagnosis. So after that i submitted a VARR and at the same time emailed someone who works for the Va secretary, simply stating that I had a misdiagnosis and wished for a new CP exam to examine the new diagnosis.

This person was like a lightning rod, once she was involved, the VA started calling me asking what they could do to help me!!! It was amazing. The new CP exam resulted in the VARR coming back with a different diagnosis (Myasthenia Gravis instead of somatoform disorder) and of course a new rating. Once this happened the PEB was forced to remand the case back to the MEB so they could change the diagnosis.

The way it worked out for me was that I went from 50% TDRL to 100% PDRL and 100% PT VA. I wasn’t challenging the misdiagnosis in order to get higher ratings, I just wanted the diagnosis and ratings to be correct. Once you get out it is extremely difficult (BCMR) to get things corrected. So I was determined to get them corrected before I was forced out. It worked out great for me, but without the help of the VA person I don’t think I would’ve had such luck. I’d probably still be fighting VA for a correct diagnosis/rating.
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Thank you for the message, I’ll keep that in mine when I enter the PEB stage if anything still has not correct on my end. That’ll fantastic that we can reach out to something within the VA themselves to help us with the process in correction and moving things forward! When you got the two new professional differing opinions, did you just go to your PCM and get a referral for new specialists, or just go within network and pay out of pocket? I almost feel like getting a new psychiatrist at this point would be detrimental for my case, but i would be interested in seeing if I could get second opinions on my diagnosis from another psychiatrist
 
I would ask for an IMR, if a MDD diagnosis suddenly changed to AD in conjunction with the commencement of a MEB/PEB. I might also talk to the IG. But I first, I would get a lawyer with MEB/PEB experience!
 
chaplaincharlie said:
I would ask for an IMR, if a MDD diagnosis suddenly changed to AD in conjunction with the commencement of a MEB/PEB. I might also talk to the IG. But I first, I would get a lawyer with MEB/PEB experience!
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Thank you for the attention! I looked up IMR, this is the Individual Medical Readiness? Would I ask this of the records department from my MTF?
And your second sentence is where I'm alarmed, I try to trust medical treatment but after being on this forum, I'm learning trust but verify. Why speak with the IG, and which IG should I talk to? I'm also seeing there are many lawyers who claim to have experience, but as an active duty member on base, is legal on base the people I should speak to or another organization?

Thank you for being patient, I see you answer on this forum often and am grateful your time.
 
IMR in this cases means Independent Medical Review. Talk to the PEBLO and ask for an IMR.

As for the IG, I'd wait for the IMR. My concern is that you have been diagnosed and treated for MDD which may be compensated by the VA, but now that you are moving toward an MEB/PEB the diagnosis is changed to AD, which is not compensated by the VA. For professional reasons, I'd be less suspicious of a change the opposite direction from AD to MDD.

The VA C&P examiner will make the diagnosis that counts for VA compensation.
 
chaplaincharlie said:
IMR in this cases means Independent Medical Review. Talk to the PEBLO and ask for an IMR.

As for the IG, I'd wait for the IMR. My concern is that you have been diagnosed and treated for MDD which may be compensated by the VA, but now that you are moving toward an MEB/PEB the diagnosis is changed to AD, which is not compensated by the VA. For professional reasons, I'd be less suspicious of a change the opposite direction from AD to MDD.

The VA C&P examiner will make the diagnosis that counts for VA compensation.
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Will do sir, I'll listen to the PEBLO's brief and ask for the IMR. I also formally requested my medical records from my therapist, case manager, and psychiatrist today (yet of course releasing them to me may be denied if "they deem it would be detrimental to my treatment") and will get a response within the next 3 days on that decision.

I've attempted to do what I can by attending every appointment, taking medications as prescribed, doing mindfulness groups and whatever else they have recommended. I made it a point to be respectful and compliant as well, as they are attempting their best, I believe, to help get me back to full health.

I'm trying to block out the thought that the MDD to AD diagnosis is with good intentions, somehow; but it's making me feel that something is up and hoping that the records may reveal more information.

Again, I'm thankful for you taking your time to respond in a clear and quick way.
 
Pricegoudaprice said:
Thank you for the message, I’ll keep that in mine when I enter the PEB stage if anything still has not correct on my end. That’ll fantastic that we can reach out to something within the VA themselves to help us with the process in correction and moving things forward! When you got the two new professional differing opinions, did you just go to your PCM and get a referral for new specialists, or just go within network and pay out of pocket? I almost feel like getting a new psychiatrist at this point would be detrimental for my case, but i would be interested in seeing if I could get second opinions on my diagnosis from another psychiatrist
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The two neuro ophthalmologists were a referral through tricare.
 
tony292 said:
The two neuro ophthalmologists were a referral through tricare.
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I’m inspired by your story, i know that without trying, it’s possible to lose out. But you didn’t take no for answer and put in some legwork to get two referrals. I’m seeing a LT at BAS tmmw and see if he can tell me anything or even suggest
 
Pricegoudaprice said:
Will do sir, I'll listen to the PEBLO's brief and ask for the IMR. I also formally requested my medical records from my therapist, case manager, and psychiatrist today (yet of course releasing them to me may be denied if "they deem it would be detrimental to my treatment") and will get a response within the next 3 days on that decision.

I've attempted to do what I can by attending every appointment, taking medications as prescribed, doing mindfulness groups and whatever else they have recommended. I made it a point to be respectful and compliant as well, as they are attempting their best, I believe, to help get me back to full health.

I'm trying to block out the thought that the MDD to AD diagnosis is with good intentions, somehow; but it's making me feel that something is up and hoping that the records may reveal more information.

Again, I'm thankful for you taking your time to respond in a clear and quick way.
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Your welcome. Stay in touch.
 
Pricegoudaprice said:
What happened afterward? I’m wondering if I should somehow make more of a paper trail of sorts, just lost. Seems very off to go from MDD to adjustment disorder even without documentation, the limdu MEB already review and agree to it, you know?
Click to expand...
Tell them you think your bi-polar!
 
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