john999

You could have a 20% rating for a primary condition like DMII and 100% for a secondary condition like heart disease. You have to have medical evidence to link the secondary to the primary.

Sometimes you can help to increase your disability ratings by using the VA. You know there is no "system" in the medical world outside the VA (not much inside the VA as well). I saw a high class plastic surgeon yesterday that is a private doctor. I got the same dumb advice as I got at the VA about my foot. It is true that I did not have to wait for seeing an orthopod and the plastic guy in the same week whereas it would have taken months at the VA. A private doctor is the one who worked on my foot and gave me a staff infection. There is nothing coordinated about health care in the USA. You go from one doctor to another looking for help and explaining your symptoms over and over again.

Bump!

I think occupationsl impairment is the key to higher ratings. Difference between 50% and 100% is "Are you working". You can be hiding in your bunker all day and night but if you can work no dice for 100% for PTSD.

Priority for treatment.

You must consider other complicating problems you have like COPD. You do really need outside SECOP's. None of us are doctors here, but I know that surgery is always a big deal. Any surgery is a big deal if they have to put you under.Do the research and be cautious. You can't find two doctors who will agree on anything.

Yes, every claim after that is a claim for an increase. This is good since you don't have to reinvent the wheel each time. For instance, I file a new AO claim. It is a claim for an increase.

Claims really start to take time when they get into the RO/BVA/Remand cycle. It is good to get it at lowest level, but not always possible. When you have lots of potential retro at stake that is when things slow down for many. The VA will wait you out with hopes you may die first. I believe they do this with A&A claims for elderly widows and those in nursing homes.

Berta You know in the 70's, 80's and 90's I did not really consider IMO's because was doing OK and I thought the VA's word at C&P exams was law. I was so dumb. I lost thousands of bucks. I got more interested when I got a pretty good exam from a VA doctor and was raised to 30% after 20 years at 10% which was absurd. They always ask "Are you working?" if you said "Yes" then there could not be much wrong with you according to the VA. All they wanted to know from me was "Are you hearing voices? Have you tried to kill yourself or anyone else and do you work."

I talked to an older RVN vet today at the VAMC. He did not know his heart attack could be SC'ed. His mouth dropped open when I told him. His doctor never told him and probably does not know. Everytime I go out there I find some RVN vet who is ignorant of AO. One guy had lung cancer and did not know. He is dying and does not know it can be connected to AO.

Depression due to chronic pain and disability. You need a psychiatrist to say it and make the link to your shoulder pain and disability. If your sleep is poor due to pain that is another factor. Google chronic pain disorder. I have miserable shoulder pain as well. I get shots in my shoulder which sets me off from steroids. You want to build a picture of disability that starts and is linked to your SC condition.

You need "medical evidence" to support new claims and for an increase. I had my brother and wife write statements for me long ago. It did seem to help in my psychological claim. However, the medical is most important especially for physical impairment. Your shoulder will be almost all ROM. If you have full ROM or anything close you won't get an increase most likely. What kind of pain meds do you take? This can be basis of increased disablility if the meds affect your ability to think. You want to hook up psychological and physical issues. Vets don't do this enough, but you need medical opinions for this.

If you have mobility problems the VA can come to your house and provide stuff for you including therapy.

I have had four different surgeries over the years. I am no better off and a lot worse off than if I had not gotten them. I would not let a VA neurosurgeon touch me. A neurosurgeon on the outside makes millions. At the VA they probably make 25% of that money. Why would a neurosurgeon work for the VA? It is your life we are talking about here.

Wentworth gives people 20 cents on the dollar for signing over their annuites. The VA tried the same thing back a while ago. Get vets to give up future benefits for payout now.

I think a vet's best VSO is himself. I have been getting compensation since the early 70's. I never heard of the concept of TDIU even though my doctor said I could not work and the VA knew it. I heard about TDIU from Hadit. This was about ten years ago.

VMO I think you are right about that.

That's to see if they are working while claiming to be unemployable.

I am a life member of the DAV. I would gladly give it up to get a refund. It has been the poorest investment I ever made. Now I have a lawyer and I would be glad to pay 20% if he wins my CUE for me.

I am not convinced by what you have stated. Others have stated the opposite about 20 years and TDIU. The regulations you paraphrase could apply to any veteran even someone 90 years old on their deathbed.

You have to link any secondary conditions to an accepted SC condition. You need medical evidence to make that link. What are you SC'ed for now?

Bronco I really would shop for a lawyer for this thing. When you become emotionally involved in a case it makes it harder on your nerves. Since there is potential retro as you say back to 2002 that should entice some lawyer to give it a crack. You need a cool legal head to look at all this stuff and come up with a game plan.

Papa Those staff infections are hell. Many are resistent to anti-biotics. If you have DMII I would try and get a CT scan of your legs. You may have calcification of leg veins and arteries and this is a well known secondary condition of DMII. If you have the calcification in the legs you may have it in the brain and heart. What this is is hardening of the arteries. This kills people eventually.

Wac You know after a 20 years a TDIU vet could go back to work. His TDIU can't be touched. By that time I will be 71 years old so it won't matter to me. I won't be launching a new career at 71.

Berta I see the point you are making and I don't know the answer. I believe that the disability that makes you total must be a single disability be it TDIU or schedular. I could be wrong.