Philip Rogers

The VA must consider the SSDI and if they disagree must explain why. They, generally, won't award a TDIU claim, at the time of an increase, unless there is an active TDIU application on file. During my 10 yr appeal process I filed 4 TDIU applications, just in case. pr

I think CRYPTO's right. I vaguely remember one of the vets in my group getting a card, even tho he wasn't P&T, at the time. They just issued a card expiring around the time of his next review, like spouses, who generally get a 4 yr card. Can't swear to it tho! pr

Personally I believe most VSO's are useless low lifes who generally promise veterans they'll work their claim, for them, and then do absolutely nothing. That being said, I would file a written formal FIOA request, for his complete SSDI records, and then submit those, to the BVA, with a waiver of the AOJ's review. pr

Same thing here! Lowe's was smart to start doing that. I used my VA card last time. Hey, 10% is 10%! pr

CRYPTO - I gather you have an advanced degree in psychiatry or psychology? Or is that just your "lay" opinion? What I wrote was "I'm surprised more people don't have PTSD from 9/11" and then gave two examples of veterans I'd assisted w/non-combat related PTSD. I never mentioned veterans filing using 9/11 as a stressor. Personally, I don't care how many file. If they're fakes they'll get weeded out. The VA is the one requiring stressor proof and what may be a stressor to one person won't necessarily be a stressor to another. And who are you to judge what is or is not a "legitimate claim!" jmo pr

The TDIU letter will be in your C-file, not your medical records. The C-file is kept at the Veterans Service Center (VSC), at your VARO. pr

I assume the term "UI" means TDIU or IU and if that's the case you receive too much from the VA for SSI. You can apply for SSDI, tho. pr

BrianinMIA - make sure you keep the envelopes with those letters. Tho this just an educated guess, it sounds like the VARO, in Newark, sent it to the wrong address and when it was returned they re-sent the notice, in a new envelope, to the correct address. Save that envelope as it could be crucial in proving you weren't notified and could confirm their error, in which case they'd have to rescind their decision to reduce. pr

Hives are an allergic reaction to something. You would need to prove that your service aggravated your allergic condition. jmo pr

BrianinMIA - Since your C-file is still in Newark, is it possible that they sent the notice, to the address of record, there, and it wasn't forwarded?? It's imperative that the VA be kept up to date on all address changes, especially since many of us move frequently and have direct deposit. Generally the only way, I know of is, to stop a reduction is to have a hearing and sometimes that only delays it. Your letter sounds to the point. They may still reduce you but you should have no problem getting it reversed, if that happens. pr

Carla, thanks for picking up on that, as I missed it this morning. I had been waiting for someone to respond and when no one did I missed the most important part. BrianinMIA - the most important thing to do is to respond to their "notice of intent to reduce letter." You have a limited time which should have been in your letter. I believe it's 30 days but could be less, so time is of the essence. As Carla stated you must tell them you disagree w/their intent to reduce and that you did not receive any notice to attend a C&P exam. I'm assuming you didn't receive the notice but if you did, please be sure to attend all future exams. It's the quickest way to lose your compensation. In your letter be sure to request a personal hearing. The best defense in these cases is an attack, which is to request an increase in the PTSD claim and filing for TDIU. If you don't fight this immediately you will lose some of your comp. pr

To the best of my knowledge, if your ED was for an initial claim the answer is no. If the ED was for an increase, in an existing disability, they can go back a year prior. I believe the rule is if within one yr of discharge, ED is day after discharge, otherwise it's the date of the claim. pr

If it were me, I'd file for an increase in the PTSD award and file for TDIU, due to your current worsening symptoms. Sign up for counseling and see if they feel you need meds. You don't have to take meds but sometimes they are good for a short or long periods. That's up to you. I think the best place for counseling is either a Vet Center (paid for by VA funding but independent) or group counseling thru the VA. The Vet Center will also do 1 on 1 sessions, as needed. They can also help w/an increase and TDIU. I've found them more vet friendly than the VA's. Oh, sorry the Army was full and you had to go in the USMC, instead. Just a little inter-service humor! ;-) pr

trailblazer - you had me going there. you're right on the 40+30=58, rounds up to 60, but the 70+40=82, at least the way I figured it. Alb - the higher ratings are alway first. If you are looking for 40+40+30 it equals 74.8, which rounds down to 70%. If this isn't what you're looking for just ignore me, for jumping in. pr

The Veterans Sevice Center (VSC) is your claims office, at your VARO, where you filed your claim. The VSC manager or VSCM signature is on all letters. Sometimes there's a name and sometimes not. It appears that VA employees have become fearful of retaliation and rightfully so, for their handling of claims and no longer sign decisions. It is a standard form letter that is routinely sent out. A BVA remand, generally takes up to a year and sometimes more depending on the VSC, their workload and how they feel about your claim. Just hope for sooner. pr

Yes, depending on what the 100% rating(s) is for. Usually 100% for PTSD includes the inability to stay employed or hold down gainful employment. If TDIU, definitely inadvisable. But for physical injuries/illnesses one can work. If you can work you can always try but you'll probably be reduced, if successful. pr

iraqx2 - Hey you're still alive - yup, still waiting. Had about given up on you. If you want you can fax or email w/attachment, if easier. Just a thought! pr

There is no 60% rating for PTSD. PTSD is only rated 10, 30, 50, 70 & 100%. pr

Mike, I think they switched to the new system in an effort to look like they were balancing the budget. All it did was postpone the inevitable. Years ago, when I worked in the fire service, our chief found he could get increases in his budget by reporting routine inspections as fire calls. Same thing the Gov't has been doing for yrs. I watched the movie "IOUSA," last night and best I can tell is we are in deep do-do, now!!! pr

Alright, I tried Eric_M's link(thanks Eric) and it worked the best, for me. No need to download anything. It tested and got 1574 kbps download, 934 kbps upload and as near as I can tell my DSL that starts on June 1st, will run at 768 kbps, which is about half of what I'm getting w/HughesNet. Hughes is about $90+ a month and DSL is $18+ per month. While $70 a month isn't that much I may just go with the DSL. I'll be doing away w/my cell phone contract, also, and switching to a tracphone, just for emergencies. Between the two, that'll be a $90 a month saving and may keep me off the internet so much. Hey, then I can start having a life again!!! lol Thanks all!!! pr

Thanks, Carla, but I think that does my CPU speed, which I did and it was 1287Mhz. I think I'm looking for modem speed. The phone company says DSL, in my area, will be 768 kilobytes or is it kilobits, whatever that means. I need to find out what HughesNet pkg I have, now. Thanks! pr

I currently have HughesNet and it doesn't run as fast as it did when I lived in ID, from '03-'05. I believe they've changed their system which was allegedly "upgraded." I'm going to try DSL, as I finally got my landline, in and woking, and they now offer it. I'll need to compare which is actually faster but exactly, not just how I feel it's working. Thanks for any help! pr

I currently have HughesNet and it doesn't run as fast as it did when I lived in ID, from '03-'05. I believe they've changed their system which was allegedly "upgraded." I'm going to try DSL, as I finally got my landline, in and woking, and they now offer it. I'll need to compare which is actually faster but exactly, not just how I feel it's working. Thanks for any help! pr

I've been diagnosed, by the VA, w/ptsd for 20 yrs. Twice I've taken meds and neither time for more than 8-10 wks. The VA is quite content to give you all you need and they will suck the life out of you, if you allow it. I know a number of medicated vets that hardly ever get outta bed. Most of the meds the VA gives us are supposed to be for short term use, usually 12-15 wks, but the VA will prescribe them, for you, year after year. Take them if you need to. I prefer that I feel and deal w/the ups and downs of life but then that's just me. jmo Good luck! pr

purple - I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. A claimant need not give evidence against themselves. If a claimant has medical records/opinions that are less than favorable to them, they need not notify the VA of those records/opinions. One only needs to supply favorable evidence. In Joel4th's case he may have had a stressor, in the service, that triggered an already existing PTSD, in which case he's aggravated an existing condition, which could make it to be SC'd. pr