88 mike

No I haven't filed for ssdi. I was told that I needed two doctors to say that I'm disabled. So far the doctor has stated everything short of saying that I'm disabled

Ok thanks

Also I'm at 40% for my back and 20% for sciatica in my right leg

I lost my job due to my SC disability over a year ago. The Dr. had me do a functional capacity test and the results said that I shouldn't lift no more then 10lbs. The Dr. gave me a permanent restriction for lifting of 10lbs. The Dr. also wants to do reconstructive surgery on my back who will include rods, screws and pins. This will be my second back surgery in 3 years. I am being treated for depression through the VA due to my SC disability. My voce rehab counselor told me that I probably won't be able to use my degree because of those limitations. So I've researched different job descriptions, and I don't even qualify to be a secretary because of the limitations. My questions are: what should I do? what's my chances.of getting total disability?,

Thanks everyone!!

I recently had an FCE to see what my back can handle in the workforce. The results said that I shouldn't lift no more than 10lbs. Because of the results of my FCE I was deemed unfit for my job and I lost it. I have a 40% rating for.my lower back and a secondary rating of 20% for sciatica in my right leg. I need advice on where should I go from here as as far as VA compensation. Also the ratings that I have now were granted four years ago. Please help me because employment is looking very grim for me

Checked on ebenefits this morning and it said that my claim was closed on Saturday 8/3/2013. Are the raters working on the weekend? My Claim was to recoup back pay from back surgery which placed me out of work for a year. The VA only paid me for 4 months because they said that's all that's allotted for back surgery, unless the surgeon says that you need additional time to recover. So my doctor typed a letter stating when I had my surgery and when I was able to return to work. He also stated why and listed all the issues with my back. Does anybody feels that I submitted enough evidence?

The letter that I submitted was by the surgeon by the way. Sorry guys I left that part out.

I filed a fdc last October to seek back pay for temporary 100% from back surgery. I was given four months of pay but I was placed out of work (per the doctors orders) for 12 months. I submitted a detailed letter specifying that I had to be out of for that length of time and all the reasons why. It's currently stuck in the preparation for decision phase. Oh! I am in the St. Petersburg varo as well. Good luck!!

Yes I have filed a lawsuit against my former employer and yes I do take.medications that has serious side effects. My doctor.said that it would be wise for me not to do anymore heavy.lifting. Also.my surgery.doesn't.have a gurantee. Thanks guys and if you think of anything.else let me know

Sorry my job required me to lift up to 40lbs

I lost my job due to my sc disability a few weeks ago. My neurosurgeon recommended me to have a second surgery on my lower back. He also ordered me a functional capacity test and the results stated that I shouldn't lift no more than 10 lbs. My required me to lift up to 40 lb. So what can or what should I do concerning compensation? I am currently rated at 40% for my lower back and 20% for my right leg. Please respond everyone who can help me out in this matter.

Looked on ebenefits today and it said under contention that it's an express claim. Can someone explain this to me please.

Wow!! That's unbelievable

Does anyone know what the estimated time frame for claims at the Atlanta ro?

My back surgery was not a success. I was out from work for over a year. Plus my doctor wanted me to sit out for at least a year

I applied for an extension on my temporary 100% and it was denied. The va said that I didn't show enough medical evidence. I submitted a work certificate from my doctor. It showed the date of my surgery, what type of surgery that was performed, the date I was released to go back to work and my limitations. I heard that I needed a letter from my doctor saying that I needed to be out of work for the amount of time I was out. The problem is the doctor's nurse said she will not write a letter because she said that she never heard of the va asking for a letter. She said that she needs a va form to fill out. What can I do to recoup this back pay?

My claim that I filed for an extention on my temporary 100% is finally complete. The reason that im nervous is that I don't have any confidence in the Va. They the Va told me that I needed something from my doctor stating that I'm still not able to work. So my doctor gave me a work certificate stating what type of surgery I had, the date of my surgery and the length of time he felt I needed to be out. Do you guys think I will get it? Plus back in december I requested that my Ro call me to discuss the status of my claim. The lady told me I would get my money but I'm not sure

My claim for extended convalescence due to my back surgery went into to the decision phase on 1/18/12. I filed for my extension in august of 2011. The person on the 800# said that the St. Pete RO is taking around 70 days to process in the decision phase. I found out about the pilot program that the st. pete ro is offering but if I would have put my claim in for the program, my claim would start over. So of course I declined. So, I have my fingers crossed.

I was told today that the St. Petersburg,Fl ro case load is so heavy that claims on average are spending at least 175 days in the development stage. Today makes 150 days in the development stage. They are claiming the raters are working 6 days a week.

In march of 2011 I applied for temporary 100% due to back surgery that was performed in Sept. 2010. In july I was granted the temporary 100% but only received a lump sum for four months. The VA told me that they only pay for four months unless I have medical evidence from a doctor stating that I needed additional recovery time. My point is I submitted evidence in March at the time I applied for temorary 100% that I was still recovering from my surgery. I reapplied for additional temp. pay in August 2011 but I eventually went back to work in mid September of 2011 after begging my Dr. to release me due to financial hardship. Here is the crazy part, it is now Jan. 2012 over five months later. My claim is still in the developmental stage after I have submitted everything that was required over four months ago. Just in case someone asks I filled out and faxed in the VA form that you fill out if you don't have anymore evidence to submit. Sorry I don't know the name of the form. Can someone please help me????

I called the 1 800# just now and they told me my case was closed on 7/15/2011. They said a letter will be mailed today. I hope the va approved this claim. I have not worked in over a year due to surgery on my lower back.

I found out last week that a decision was made on my claim for temporary 100%. I had surgery for a service connected disability on September 1, 2010. I still have not been cleared to go back to work yet. I have a couple questions: I did not file until March 2011 due to that fact of me not knowing about temporary 100% and bad information from the VA. My question is will they pay me retroactive effective september 2010 or when I filed? My other question is how long can I receive temporary 100%?

Thanks guys for your all of your post. Carlie don't forget to let me know what they gave you.

I called the 1 800# today and was told that they (authorization) are reviewing my hardship letter and that my claim will be done soon. When I visited the RO my claim already had been decided. The case worker I saw had me submit the letter due to overdue bills. Do you guys think that letter slowed things down or did it help?