shawn30

Yes, that is correct but I was referring to 94 plus 10% equals 95, which in turn will be rounded up to 100%. :-) In my case though, that's assuming I will be granted higher than 0% for my current service connected injuries, four total.... But I'll hope for the best!!

Great, thanks. That makes more sense than reading the lawyer lingo in the regs. I'm looking at a rating of 94 so I'm hopeful that I will receive an additional 10% to be at 100.

What is the difference between being rated at 100% with or without TDIU? I have been doing some research and trying to interpret the CFR Part 4. If I am approved for each item which I have claimed, I will be rated at 100%. What do I have to look forward to if or when I receive a 100% rating? thanks in advance....

This is what I have right now: Chronic Kidney Stones-30%, Loss of Testicle with loss of function of the other-30%, Tinnitus-10%, and SMC for loss creative organ. 60% total. 0% - Chronic Epididymitis - orchitis 0% - Inguinal / ilio-inguinal nerve damage 0% - Inguinal Scarring 0% - Scrotum Scarring Originally I was not rated for the 4 claims I currently have at 0%. I filed for secondary for my 0% claims but they were denied due to the VA stating that they were already covered under the primary. Then the VA replied later stating that I was service connected for them and it was a clear and unmistakable error. They then sent me a letter showing the 4 items rated at 0%. However, by reading through the Board of Appeals and looking for others with my same exact conditions; I found several appeals that were granted and rated at higher than 0%. I sent additional medical records and letters from my private doctor along with the referenced docket numbers from the appeals that I found and asked them to re-consider my claims. I haven't heard anything from the VA since I filed that claim in December 2010.

Do I file my claim as the secondary condition by itself? Or do I file the claim as secondary to my primary? For example, I have chronic kidney stones; which causes bladder dysfunction. Would I write it as "I would like to file a claim for compensation due to bladder dysfunction." or "I would like to file a claim for compensation due to bladder dysfunction secondary to kidney stones." ? thanks...

What is the difference between Primary and Secondary Ratings? If I have other medical issues that arise from a Primary, do I claim them as Secondary? Or do I claim them as another Primary? thanks...

Is Chronic Pain Syndrome better to be filed as/rated as Physical or Mental? I also have CPS related to service and mental health issues but I was unaware of the difference between being rated between the two; Physical or Mental.

No I didn't file NOD. After 9 years, I re-filed with new and material medical evidence last month and asked for re-consideration. This was the same thing I did for my kidney stones. I was originally denied in 2002 for the stones but after years of recurrent stones I re-filed with new evidence and was granted a 30% rating with 8 years of retroactive pay. Also, I am a federal employee and I re-injured my back at work and filed for workers' comp. two weeks ago. I'm currently on medical restriction with admin and light duty at work.

Yes, I have been in physical therapy since June. It was denied originally because the VA said that it was not chronic in nature. My claim has been in since December 2010 and I still haven't had any type of C&P appointment. Thank you for the advice.

Chronic Kidney Stones, Loss of Testicles, Tinnitus, and SMC for loss creative organ. 60% total. 0% - Chronic Epididymitis - orchitis 0% - Inguinal nerve damage 0% - Inguinal Scarring 0% - Scrotum Scarring I have been going to mental health for nearly a year now for chronic pain related issues. After several sessions I was told that I have PTSD and depression from in-service stressors. I have a current GAF score of 60. More recently I have re-injured a back injury that was denied from original my claim back in 2002. I have two slipped vertebrae (spondylolisthesis) and a herniated disk. I filed for chronic adjustment disorder and I filed for re-consideration of my original back injury that was denied. I have been on continuous narcotics and nerve pain meds through the VA for a year now. I have not had any C&P exams scheduled yet but I would like to know any information I should know beforehand. thank you in advance....

I have also stopped taking my meds twice before because I was tired of being on so much stuff all the time. However, I have ended up going back on them again. I don't have any more pain shots or ablation procedures right now. The next step the pain clinic said to try is the actual nerve pain meds instead. What is a dx? I have found that toradol shots work well for me.

Yes, my depression is caused by the pain, lack of sleep, and being plagued by several urological problems. All of which are directly related to and caused by my current service connected disabilities. I already have one SMC for the loss of testis so I assumed now that I have loss of erectile power that I would be entitled to a second SMC for that also. I never had high blood pressure until about the last two years. I have had so many surgeries, nerve blocks and pulsed radio frequency ablation procedures but none seem to work for very long. The mental health doc seems to think I may have PTSD to some degree which is related to a stressor which I incurred in service while I was deployed.

I am 60% combined for loss of a creative organ with SMC, Chronic Kidney Stones and Tinnitus. I lost one testicle and the other does not function except to regulate my hormones. I recently claimed chronic pain syndrome, hypertension and a mood disorder. I am in pain every single day and I am on a daily narcotic and an anti-depressant. Does anyone have any insight into what I should or should not be doing in order to support my claims when the C&P comes? Below was my actual claim that I sent to the VA last month: 1. Hypertension - originally denied in 2002; 2. Sleep disorder; 3. Mood Disorder; 4. Urinary frequency; 5. Prostatitis; 6. Voiding dysfunction; 7. Chronic pain syndrome; 8. Chronic adjustment disorder; 9. Erectile dysfunction; 10. Entitlement to additional special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ due to loss of erectile power. Any help would be appreciated... thank you in advance.