11cvolley

I should find out today if the VA ever got my ssdi records. Assuming they didn't get them, should I submit them before they start working on my nod for ptsd, while they're wrapping up my asthma reduction?

If what Berta said is true about needing my authority to access my ssdi records then they didn't have them or take them into account.

I know that the VA never sent me authorization forms to get access to my SSA/SSDI records.

Thanks for the input. I hate this waiting game.

A letter I sent in with my nod. I remember putting in there that I want to sit down face to face. (not exact wording) But I also wrote how I am getting ssdi for only the sc ptsd and I would wave the dro hearing if they went ahead and granted me 100% for ptsd and/or an IU award for ptsd. Is there a chance they will look at this and just award me IU or are they going to make me go through the whole nod/dro process?

Should I file a CUE? Will it get pushed in front of my NOD?

Thank you for your reply. If I understand correctly, the VA should award me tdiu based on my 70% ptsd, ssdi for sc ptsd, and haven't worked since mid 2010?

Should the fact that I am on SSDI be enough for the VSO or what more should I do? Do I need to send them the SSDI letter?

I hope so. I just hate this waiting game.

Just checked my statues on e-ben. The prep for decision on them reducing my asthma from 30 to 0 has went make to pending decision approval. It was at the prep for note stage. This really irritates me because the senator's office said he made some phone calls and was told that the VSO isn't going to work on my NOD for 70% ptsd until they finish up the claim to take away my asthma rating.

So do you think the VA will award me some form of 100% or what are my chances?

I don't have the denial letter, I have a problem with keeping documents. I do remember the reason given was basically an increase isn't warranted. Also my wife confirmed through the Senator's office that I did request a DRO review and I might possibly get a sit down with the person making the final decision. I never saw a SSDI doctor. SSDI went off my VA medical records. Thank you very much for your inputs, you guys/gals give me hope. After reading your replies I get the feeling the VA will make the right decision this time around.

Got a call 2 days ago from the Senator's office about my case. Of course the VA is taking away my 30% asthma rating first, then they will start on my NOD of the 70% ptsd... Figures they can't work both at same time or in a way that helps me. Will prob be at least another year AFTER they take away the asthma before they'll make a decision on my NOD.... My social worker is a little concerned that my last c&p doctor stated I had a 2nd mental issue because you can't combine 2 mentals together. What really ticks me off is FOUR doctors all agree I only have PTSD. This moron c&p doctor comes along and agrees with everything, says I'm actually much worse, but says it might be this other mental issue and not all ptsd... He bases his opinion off of the 2hrs I was in his office. (Social Worker read his notes to me) He also took a lot of stuff I said out of context, like I said I need new glasses but I don't like people being in my face. So he writes down I don't to see better because I'll see people better... Then he goes on to mention some acronym that means I'm either lying/over exaggerating, or telling the truth since I picked most of the worse 1-5 responses to how I feel, but then goes on to say that he believes I am telling the truth. Then why even bring up the acronym for when someone might be lying? Oh and my fav part.... The VSO in their denial letter citing, "veteran plays strategy pc games." WOW, IDK playing video games means I should be able to hold or even get a job... Seriously VA? Seriously? You A-clowns grant me 70% for ptsd the first time with no issues but then turn around and pull this crap? IDC how people take this but IMO veterans are treated like 2nd rate citizens with less rights than terrorist.

I'm sure when I filed the nod I asked for a hearing, One that would be held at my local vso office (How I understood it), but I also sent in a letter saying that I believe I should be rated in a way that gets me IU, or 100% and that I would be fine with getting any rating that results in 100%. So it makes me wonder why the 800# is saying the review officer is working on making a decision. Could it mean they're thinking about going ahead with some form of 100% or what? I mean IDK how the RO could make a final decision without me having my face to face if he/she isn't going to grant me 100%. Edit: My anxiety is so high right now I can't stop jittering and bouncing my leg. I feel like I just drank a gallon of coffee. I have a lot of faith in this forum as I did a lot of stuff mentioned to me on here for my original claim and I got 70% with no issues. Still feels unreal to get granted 70% when the first time I came forward was years after getting out of the Army.

idk if this is bad or not but I went over my last c&p and the doctor said my condition is much worse, I won't get better, but she thinks ptsd should be a secondary condition, and some sort of schizo mental issue should be my primary. The c&p doctor also said she feels I am permanently unable to work. Is this going to stop me from getting 100% for ptsd or what?

I'm a little confused though. I could of sworn I asked for hearing where I'd sit down with the person that'll be making the decision on my ptsd, but my nod is already with a review officer awaiting a decision.

I contacted a va lawyer and told him about my case and to see if he can help me. Its been over a year since I filed my nod and my nod is only with the review officer which someone told me means that're about to start the long process but others have told me it means my nod is about done and I'll get a decision soon. IDK which is true. The lawyer asked me if I am on SSDI for the ptsd and when the last time I worked was. I told him yes on the SSDI and I haven't worked since mid 2010. He then asked if my va doctor and "va therapist" (social worker) support me getting 100%. I told def my therapist does and she told me the doctor agrees with her. The lawyer then tells me he can def win my case and hurry it up. All I pay is 20% gross amount awarded and 10% of the money awarded to me, equalling 30% and no out of pocket fees. Should I retain the lawyer?

Thanks for the reply. I got awarded 70% ptsd without any appeals. But my therapist and I both think I should be IU or 100%. She thinks that 70% was a low ball offer.

Almost 6 months since I appealed and asked for my case to be heard by a review officer at my local VSO. The kind that I would go to and sit down with them. My appeal is still in the first step on ebenefits... Appeal Pending... You have initiated an appeal, but at this point your case is still with the local VA office that made the decision on your case. If you have questions about your appeal, please contact that office or your representative, if you have one. Is this normal or what?

Its been over 90 days since I sent in all the paperwork to request a personal hearing and guess what? All that they can tell me is that they have received my appeal and it is still sitting at the RO... Bunch of morons that deny a claim for TDIU because you can play a video game... "Oh, ummmm well. The doctor said you are far worse than the last C&P that got you 80%, but you play video games." "So denied!"

In my own experience they'll probably deny you based on the VOC Rehab. I had my TDUI C&P which the doctor stated I was much worse than previously thought. BUT the RO's reason to deny me TDUI was because I told the C&P doctor that I play Civilization 5 with some of my free time. The RO will pick the dumbest reason to deny anyone. I'm still at 80% waiting for my personal hearing.

Waiting on them to make the appointment that I sit down with someone at the local VSO. Seems like this is taking forever...

I still find it hard to accept mst. let alone be around others with it. I get the feeling that I am walking into the room to surrender publicly. 98% of my time is inside the house. I just don't feel free or safe. I feel like a dog that doesn't want to come out of it's cage. I'm a prisoner to my mind.

I just don't have a connection with any doctor I have seen for my ptsd. It feels like I'm telling a famous scientist about my HS science class. It is like, "Ummm okay," and it just goes from there. I hate when they say, "wow, I'm sorry". Then a long silence like I'm suppose to say thanks. The group I'm going to try to attend is the MST group. I don't like the fact that everyone who walks through the door is there because of MST. It feels so public in my mind.

Thank you for your input.