eganusn

RIP Carlie.

I appreciate the feedback on this. Just curious what people think.

Got a question for anyone that might be able to answer it; Why does a TDIU claim take as long, if not longer than a normal disability claim? For example, if a veteran meets the the basic criteria set by the VA, for example, someone already having met the minimum threshold of 60 to 70%, and can prove that the disability or disabilities obstruct one from being employed, I don't understand why it cannot be processed in a more timely manner. I know as well as anyone here that the backlog is insanely high, but one would figure, that a TDIU claim can be processed a little quicker than most, especially since the vast majority that apply, meet the criteria set. And since the C-file already includes previous evidence as well as C&P or QTC exams that have already established disability, it looks like not that much more is needed, with the exception of attempting to access one's previous employers to establish corroborating evidence, as well as possibly considering P&T rating for said disability or disabilities. Truly, if anyone at the VA had half a brain, why would you not make a more streamlined process for TDIU, and do them like they currently do Nehmer claims? I do not pretend to understand how the VA sets up certain claims, but it would make a lot of sense to have each VARO work specifically on these claims, like how a military "Tiger Team" would work on specific issues, which in theory would lessen the load on others. What say the gurus here?

Cavtrooper congrats!

Carlie, rated PTSD SC 70%, 80% combined overall

xpertshot, appreciate it.

John, nope they didn't make mention of TDIU at all. I am still thinking whether I should file or not, as I am still waiting on a deferred decision for my left knee and I want to do a NOD for the denied conditions, as I have more than enough evidence to overturn it. I am still trying to decide which way to go.

Two days after I posted this topic, I received the envelope and was as follows: 70% PTSD (100% overall minus 30%)

After I received my envelope last Thursday, it was in the next day. Congrats!

Carlie, thanks for the info. I'm still trying to figure out if applying for TDIU is still in my best interest at this moment. I will probably figure it out soon.

Phillip, in regards to TDIU, I am still weighing my options. I have heard the horror stories, and although I am not prone into buying everyone, I still want to see if I should wait and file an NOD/DRO for the denied issues first and see where that puts me. I haven't worked in almost a year, but I just want to figure what may be the best course of action to take.

VetinPa, the Atlanta-Decatur RO.

USMC89, I deployed to the AO in 1992, and 1993, not during Desert Storm.

Phillip, I just contacted my POA to get any official news, because I haven't received the big brown you-know-what, and I believe you are correct, it looks like 70%. In any case, Good News!!

Phillip, no, it was overall 90%, but only 60% was considered SC. I don't get the VA fuzzy math, but that's what was told to me.

Hello all. After waiting since February 2011, I have finally been granted SC for PTSD. The AB8 letter stated yesterday that my combined overall rating is now 80%. It was a nice surprise to say the least. I spoke informally with someone that works "on the inside", and the breakdown goes like this: 60% SC for my PTSD, 40% (Increased on 3/25/12) for Fibromyalgia, still at 10% for my PFS, left knee, (claim is still in deferred status), and denied SC for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I'm still waiting on some additional information in order to file a NOD/or request a DRO for the denied issues, but at least I'm am making some headway in getting the VA to recognize my ailments. And truly, because of this site and the advice and information that people give here, I am very appreciative, and forever grateful! Mike Egan

John999, agreed. I see no justification of making anyone wait over 400 days for a resolution of their claims. Even so, if the RO would just give a definite answer as to why its taking that long, at least it would give me some peace of mind, but they can't even do that.

I appreciate the responses to this thread. I've addressed the VA to give a response to the deferment, stating that all the evidence is in, the QTC exam is in, and that I still have a "hardship" flag on my claim, but still no one can give a reason for the deferment. On this part of my claim, it has now reached 435 days, and still waiting for resolution.

Berta, I certainly did make copies before I was discharged, but even so, I never would have thought that my records that I submitted to the VA would not end up in my cfile. I guess I was naive. Cavtrooper, it took about 80 days from the time I filed for hardship to where I got approved for a increase on my Fibromyalgia.

Oh, almost forgot to mention, Berta, I was denied originally for "existed prior to service" based upon a dr. who wrote up my med board, and totally disregarded the original diagnosis I had from a different doctor, who at the time I had my med board, was "not available". The VA only had my med board in the c file, not the diagnosis notes, which paints a completely different picture from the med board docs. The original denial and nod afterwards, stated "no evidence of in service diagnosis".

Carlie and Berta, thanks for responding. Carlie, yeah, when I saw that in the docs, I was wondering what they meant "eligibility to treatment" since I am at the 50% mark. Like I mentioned in first post, I think its a "delaying" tactic. Berta, I have posted on several threads regarding my PTSD in the recent past, and the reason for the denial once I got out was the Navy was because of a little known rule to deny anyone with under 8 years of service, this despite being diagnosed in service and even then I hid it for over a year after I started having symptoms. I found out over 2 years ago, why I was denied by the VA, and that was because they didn't have any of the medical information that I actually hand walked into the VA HQ in DC, so I opened up my case once again based upon that, as well my stressors fitting into the new rules category.

Good Afternoon all, I was recently upgraded from 30 to 50% last month for some other conditions. However, the PTSD that I filed under the "new" regulations have been "deferred". On the docs submitted to me to explain the deferrment, it notes "Eligibility to treatment for PTSD". I submitted the documents back on 2/9/11, regarding dx of PTSD while in service, along with other evidence tying my SC for it (I was denied by the VA for SC in 1997), and also had my QTC on 3/14, but the VA stated on the docs that my claim for PTSD was deferred because they need additional information. So I truly don't get the deferral; I have complied with the VA giving them everything they need to make a decision, had the examination, so what other "information" would they need? My guess is that the examiner gave me a low GAF score that could possibly put me in the 100% category, and that the original contention of SC versus Service aggravated is essentially in my favor, and so the raters and decision makers were basically caught with their pants down. I base some of my guesses on the fact that the examiner was not supplied with all the information that I gave the VA some time ago, and she was surprised as well (the VA did not supply her the original dx notes that I had while on active duty). Her assesment at the beginning of the exam was for service aggravation, but she did note after my evidence was supplied that it was a pretty clear cut case of service connection. In any case, has anyone here been in this situation as well? And what was the resolution? Thanks ahead of time for any help.

hedgey, congrats on your man's rating. Its a good thing. If he can't work because of the rating, I'm sure he will have some other outlets to do something creative.

Notorious Kelly, Tanker2, thanks for the kind words.

Moody, hang in there. It will eventually happen. Best of Luck