TCOLLINS

Hey John!:) Yeah, that was my thing, I didn't want to screw up an option for an extra $1000 a month. Even though it would help. I'm going to get this FDC crackin'. I am at 80% and I felt like I should be 100% anyway. So I'll explore that option before taking the easy route, I served my country, now its time for them to stop playing and give me what I deserve.

HEY BERTA!:) Let me try and answer all of your questions: Has the PTSD affected your ability to work? Yes, It's has to do with MST, really bad anxiety, can't sleep, nightmares, etc Do the meds for the SCs hinder employment ? Yes. Has Voc Rehab ever turned you down solely due to your SCs? No. I am in school fulltime. What did VA say about TDIU, if anything, in their decision? I haven't applied yet. My DAV counselor said he felt i could get TDIU based on my new rating. "I was told I qualify based on my rating" Could you clarify that?qualify for what and who said it??? SURE!:) When me and my DAV counselor were going over my current rating package, we were talking about my options. I felt like I should be at 100% already. So he said, we could file for TDIU because there isn't a reason why i wouldn't get it. Did the VA consider you for SMC as due to 'loss of use of' your hand due to the SC? If you can work with this disability, then they would not consider the SMC K on that basis. No. I can use the hand(left), i just can't do any lifting, or typing for long period of time. Which is causing a strain on my dominant hand(right). PTSD vets don't 'look' disabled and I think that creates anomosity from some civilians, in particular , who don't have a clue anyhow, let alone appreciate the service of every PTSD vet. AMEN TO THIS!!! Have you ever been to any Vet Centers? They understand service disabilities and so do we here. I did go to a vet center but I finally gave group counseling a try, and it has worked out so much better for me. This is hard to deal with, and I'm in full throttle trying to get better. I had to finally quit my job because of all of my SC's. I have been working since I was 13 years old. That was one of the hardest things to do. You all made my day, thank you so much for helping!

Thank you!! No, the didn't deny the claim. I had surgery with it, and have a metal piece in my wrist. I don't understand why they keep classifying it as a cyst, when its a bone disease. During my C&P exam he said he input the correct code for it, but when i received my package back, it still showed ganglion cyst. I still have the actual doctors diagnosis. What's crazy is that every time i mention Kienbocks, everyone looks at me like "Huh?". To be honest, this was the first time I received a C&P exam by a VA doctor. I think that is the problem, the lack of sympathy because my final package was all wrong, even my counselor was like something isn't right. I'm going to do a FDC and make sure the language is correct. It's like this is a game.....

This is perfect! I can compare my case with the ones listed!:)

I was wondering if anyone else has been rated for this. The VA keeps trying to call it a ganglion cyst, when its in my records that it's Kienbocks Disease. I have a metal plate in my wrist, and a huge scar, with keloids that is still very painful. My new counselor, suggested we do a new FDC. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.:)

Ok here is my "loaded question: I got rated at 80% September 2013: 50%- PTSD 30%- Back & Wrist(kienbocks) I was told I qualify based on my rating. While I am in counseling for my PTSD, I'm not ready to go back to work. Here is my question: 1. If I get TDIU, and feel like I am ready to go back to work after a year, can I go back to my 80% rating? I just want to be able to not worry about living expenses. That adds to my stress. In my situation, would you apply for TDIU? *I don't have any real support, that includes family, just in case anyone was wondering.