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Tdiu Reasoning

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cowgirl

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  • HadIt.com Elder

Okay, its Sunday and I was re'reading still trying to figure out why my claim was denied. I recieved a c&p for physical aspects and the va counselor notes were quoted. Denial reason was capable of sedentary employment.

So, on my 21-8940 in block 6, "what service connected disability prevents you from securing and following a substantial gainful occupation". I looked again, I put 'Mdd - major depressive disorder.

At the time of my application I was a patient of a psychologist and pyschiatrist (in treatment and recieiving prescriptions).

How does the va use a c&p physical to deny a mdd request for tdiu?

And no I did not recieve a psych c&p at all. Guess enough was in my va med files that could be used to answer my request for IU with.

Thanks, Just cg on Sunday,

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  • HadIt.com Elder

Are you still a psych patient, do you still see this psychologist and physician?

If so, go to them and get them, one or the other or both, to write a note, either in your medical records or on their stationery, simple stating that, due to your disability, you can no longer be gainfully employed.

Then you NOD the decision and send them this statement.

That is what it is going to take. What you have here is a rater practicing medicine.

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  • HadIt.com Elder

Thanks Larry'guy!

Yes, I see both, provider and a phd.

Reason I wonder, because I claimed mdd sc for 40% as the 'one sc disability that prevents me from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation'. (words are from the form).

Now I've nod'd the denial and attached my ssdi award, direct result increased sc disability of (<_< 60%. In fact that sc disability is much different than the (A) mdd @ 40%. Now, Ive done that, I cant figure how the raters determine what 'one sc disability prevents me from substantial gainful occupation'. I feel I have two.

The nod states, 'veteran disagrees with va decision on the issue as follows: Denial of individual enemployability 'attach" Social Security Record report.

(*Notice that I did not lock into just one disability or both, meaning I could have said veteran disagrees with 'Denial of individual employability due to mdd and ....". But I kept it simple, so both 40% and 60% could support the correct decision)

So meanwhile, I have drafted an additional letter to the va futha stating my concerns, but want to make sure I don't 'harm' the NOD or possible progress.

Generally (draft) letter describes the current 'two service connected disabilities that prevent me from securing of following any substantially gainful occupation'. I clarify I am under treatment for both, (read it MEDs!) from a va psych phd and other phd. The iu denial rating did not take into consideration psych phd clinical diagnosis and notes in veterans medical records in regards to mdd.(the very disability claimed). Now I have been deemed permanently disabled by ssa, due to sc disabilty (B). Please consider this additional information in your approval of my individual unemployability.(draft)

Any ideas? The nod is in, but I want to present additional truthful information soonest.

Is the additional letter, Good or not good?

Thanks y'all,

Cg'up2009!

p.s. Working on the letters, thats another story. Could happen soon, keep fingers crossed.

Edited by cowgirl
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cg - I am just guessing here but it looks like you did not have a statement from your P Doc at the time of your application.

Therefore, they used the progress notes on file and the C&P was conducted to determine if your physical disabilities prevented you from working.

The C&P doc determined that you could do a "sit down" type job so the claim was denied. They did or should have used the "total disability picture" (Phsyc/physical) to make the decision. My assumption is that the rater felt that with only a 40 percent Phsyc rating and the determination by the C&P doc that you could work you did not meet the requirements.

I am rambling, so to sum it up, Larry gave you excellent advice. As he said have you Phsyc doc, if he will, give you or indicate in your progress notes that you can not work due to your MDD and the reason he feels this to be true.

Ricky

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  • HadIt.com Elder

Ricky, okay, I am requesting the doc statement again, appointments are evry other month.

Its my thoughts, ha, the va would use a claimed condition originally placed on the iu form. I dont believe they did, my psych,phd name or notes wasnt used in the soc. I want to make sure the 40% condition (mdd) was properly considered for the IU claim. They gave me a physical c&p exam. No mdd exam, even so the soc cited a few 'selective' portions of my mdd clinic records with my counselor. So, in addition to the mdd, I believe the 60% condition (ssdi) should now be considered. Basically, I want the va to consider the facts I presented and also the new facts while the current nod is in processing.

Will see how it goes, thanks,

Cg'up2009!

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  • HadIt.com Elder

Yup, that'll work, and that makes sense (well....it makes sense to ME, but I'm not a VARO "rater").

Have you requested an increase in your MDD percentage? If you know what your GAF score could you tell us?

Anyway, if you can get this statement from your doc(s), you will be "sitting pretty". That is what it finally took for me. They denied my request for tdiu and I had requested, and the RO had established a date for me a DRO hearing.....in the meanwhile I had gotten both my PA and my MD (psychiatrist) to write up statements (the MD got really po'd when he read what the rater was saying in my denial....) and those two statements, and the fact that my hearing was scheduled for noon on a Friday before a national holiday three-day weekend and everybody at the RO was "fauchin at the bit" (that's cowboy talk) to git the heck outta there ;) ! That's what did it for me.

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  • HadIt.com Elder

Time to dot the 'i's and cross the 't's. Letter acknowledging NOD recieved and election form to return asap. Going the dro route. Asking new doc for letter stating the stresses I have from my disabilities make it impossible for me to return to work after all these years. Am also gleaning va clinic records diagnosis's & reports.

Question, Whats the best way to present changes clearly to the dro? My concern, main health condition (ssdi awarded) wasnt the sc condition that I listed as keeping me securing or following gainful employment. My two major sc disabilities add to overall 90%.

My rant, maybe I am overthinking it, but need to make it solid and in written format. Thanks for any feedback.

In the ole brain, I think tdiu be assigned to initial claim. While I think va records 'infer' unemployment due to sc disabilities from discharge, thats much effort to prove. I tried to return to work, couldnt get full time, was on call without good pay.

.

Thanks y'all,

Cowgirl'on a Friday night ~ !

Cg'up2009!

Edited by cowgirl
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