Philip Rogers

Insomnia can be caused by PTSD but so can OSA be caused by PTSD. I'd file. jmo pr

65201 is the zip code for Columbia, Missouri. pr

I agree w/what's been posted, so far. A CUE may be your best bet. Was the PFT listed in the evidence section of your decision?? If not, they may not have had it or may have destroyed it. This is why it's best to hand deliver, w/a date stamped copy received by you at that time, or in lieu of that, sending a certified, return receipt requested copy, so that you can prove it was submitted. For a CUE to be considered, the decision must be final, in that it must be over one yr since the decision. You can request that they CUE themselves, if it's been less than a yr. pr

Good on you!!!!! Now, you should apply for TDIU and enclose a copy of your SSDI award. The VA could go retro to the SSDI award date. jmo pr

Did they deny that you have the diagnosis or did they deny service-connection(SC)?? If the ALJ mentioned "CUE," then you may have a CUE claim. The ALG wouldn't decide that issue because that issue was not before him/her, at that time. Sounds to me like s/he was suggesting you file a CUE claim. jmo pr

You can be on SSDI and work but you can only make a limited amount, of money, somewhere around $10k+/-, per yr. SSDI needs to be notified if you are working. SSDI allows you to work up to a yr and still collect SSDI under their return to work program. Personally I think about working all the time. I'm trying to think of things I could do, which isn't much. I have a friend who has a firewood business. He lives on a the main street of a small town, in another state in New England. He buys a pickup truck load of scrap wood from a lumber mill, for $20, cuts and bundles it and sells it off his front porch, making about $500-$600 a load. He averages about $600-$1,000 a month, cash money, which they drop in the mail slot in his front door. Campers buy it when they go camping. I'm considering doing the same thing. It gives him something to do. He also allows people to sell their vehicles, in his front yard, for $100 each. He's TDIU, a former Navy refrigeration specialist and before he became disabled, he got non-working appliances, repaired them and sold them for a hefty profit. He always gave a couple of month guaranty, with each. Just sayin . . . pr

I agree w/GP! I used the VocRehab unemployable letter to assist w/getting my 100% rating for PTSD. pr

I disagree, it means you want to work but, at present, you can't. Hopefully, upon completing their training, they'll be able to resume working. jmo pr

Yes, they will, Berta, but then you've stated this many times before!!! And yet the crooks get away w/it for yrs. pr

I received testosterone injections thru the VA for over a year and would recommend against them. Testosterone replacement therapy increases your chances of a heart attack. I also found myself looking at porn sites, which I've "never" had an interest in. Since I ceased the injections, my sex drive is zero but I'm okay w/that. I am also back to having zero interest in porn sites. jmo pr

There will be retro, from the date they find you TDIU. If the evidence shows you were TDIU a year ago and they use that date, you will get retro to the first full month after that date. In other words, if they find you TDIU back to 4/4/2014, your retro would start on 5/1/2015, with actual payment being received on 6/1/2015, for the month of May. If you filed for TDIU on 10/25/2014 and they award that date, payment would start on 11/1/2014, with actual payment being received on 12/1/2014, for the month of November. VA is supposed use the date the clamant is found to be TDIU but often use the date you file, thereby cheating you out of some retro. When I won my 100% retro, for 10yrs, they tried to cheat me out on one month's retro. I caught them and they corrected it w/a $1700+ check, within 30 days. pr

Yup, sounds like TDIU. The difference between 70% and 100% is roughly about $1,000 a month. jmo pr Also, before spending any of it, decide what you need, NOT WANT and then wait 48-72 hrs, before making the purchase. Pay off any credit cards, also, so you're not wasting any money on interest.

Just so you know it's not how bad something was but how it affected you, so don't feel that someone else should have it and you shouldn't because your service wasn't that bad. My Mom always said she'd sent a sweet, caring, young man, to the Army and she received a bastard back, when I returned home, from Vietnam. I feel that PTSD affects mostly caring individuals. Your symptoms are classic. Just know it will never be cured but it can be managed, if you get treatment soon. I no longer go into a rage, like I used to. It's taken awhile but I am soooo much better than I was before. You may need to take some meds, to help, for a short period of time, but if your family supports you, you can have a somewhat normal life. pr

Oh yeah, you probably have it! Just so you know it's nothing to be ashamed of, either!!! I suggest you seek counseling, either thru a Vet Center, or the VA, and you should probably file a claim for it. jmo pr

Unfreakin' believable!!!!! A fair trial and hang 'em!! jmo pr

The VA has no access to the Vet Center records, unless you authorize their release to the VA. pr

Sorry, but I've heard and seen very little good by them. The VA opened the AMC as "just another way to screw the vet" under the pretense of rating claims more quickly & accurately. Just a lot of BS!! pr

I think we should give him a fair trial . . . and then hang him!!!! pr

Five years is the stabilization period, which you passed in January, 2015. I would just request it and quote M-21, in the request. jmo pr

Are 100% disabled or not?? If you're not 100% disabled then you shouldn't be collecting the 100% rate!! Disability payments for those who are disabled. jmo pr

You should also file for SSDI, using the day you last worked as your disability onset date. jmo pr

Service-connection(SC) is the most important part of your claim. The VA may very well have diagnosed you w/PTSD but, to me, the SC part is the important part. And "no" they generally don't read the whole claim. They try to dispose of the claim as quickly as possible. They are not held responsible for their work, so there is no reason to do the job properly. It's sad but that's how it is. Did they schedule a C&P exam?? They should have! It sounds like they did nothing on your claim. I would consider emailing VA Sec. Robert McDonald, otherwise I see a 2-3yr wait to resolve your claim. jmo pr

Yes, she is a jewel! I've been lucky enough to meet and have dinner w/her. She's a great person and an asset to vets, all over! pr

It's hard to guestimate what your rating will be but 30% or 50% sounds probable. If you are not working you should apply for TDIU now, along with dependents benefits, if you're married or have minor children. I would also add a claim for P&T. I would add a claim for alcoholism/use/abuse, secondary to PTSD, also. It won't get you any more money but could help should you die of something related to the alcohol use/abuse. jmo If you're interested you can look up M-21, which is basically a step by step guide telling the VA how to rate claims. pr