Private Bryan

Hello everyone god bless. A quick recap I was just awarded a 90percent rating, I actually achieved the all too difficult 60 percent for ivds..low back,they low balled me on depression but did service connect it. My goal was to try and be reevaluated for increases so i could lock those higher ratings in. I filed for tdiu and now begin the last march hopefully to the end of the line of my va claim journey......... So my primary doc wrote a letter, very short /sweet...this guy is in bad shape and cannot work..that's about it. I also showed in my statement I went from six figure income to 9000 dollars in 2013. Been not working almost one year...so with my private doc letter do I gotta shot at this? Any thoughts always helpful. Thanks all.

Claim closed this morning.AB8 went from 50 to 90%! It's really really hard to explain how I feel today. So, naturally, I'll just ask more questions. Make no mistake, overjoyed... I had to leave a great paying job last May. Still unable to work, I have tons of current evidence on this that didn't make it into the FDC . So, knowing all this, The VA essentially makes us file a TDIU? Therein lies my question, should I submit it post haste? I filed SSdi months ago. I'm rally only asking because I now have the warning that on Sept 1' 2015 I will be reevaluated. I'm secretly terrified. I have some crap going on with my spine that could be another 5 years easy, if I'm lucky. Any thoughts and opinions are always important to me. Thanks all

Thank you all,and yes for seemingly stuck in neutral for so long it's now moving. Went to Notification today. So it moved Friday, yesterday,then today. Been through this once so I know it's not wise to even try and guess but I never seem to avoid getting that feeling deep down inside, like"oh, no! It's moving!! What does that mean??? Is it bad??" Anyway thanks again and I hope yours moves right along soon. Congrats on ssdi, I filed September 24 and still no word!

Just moved to prep for decision on March 21, and pending decision approval today. This is on my FDC that is 180 days old today. Obviously don't know whether or not it went my way but it's movement. Just a quick thank you to all out there. It has been the most difficult wait ever and it's good to know were all in it together. Anyway I sure hope to post someday in that success story forum. Hang in there everyone

Ru is right rob. I had the second fusion and I'm waiting on the FDC now but CP exam done. I have "at least six weeks" for incapacitating episodes and 10 degrees for forward flexion. So based on them going with higher I hope to get the 60, I'll have to wait. But without that the Max is 40 based on ROM. I was wondering about your radiculopathy also. This is included in the spine disability quest. But they give it separate ratings based on level of nerve damage. Did they deny that increase also? Man I bet a third level fusion really starts to mess up your nerves. Anyway, hang in there bud

I see, is there any chance then you could/need reevaluate for any of the secondary's?

Just wanted to let you guys know some info. I posted about my FDC and took the advice from you guys and called my VSO. He told me they were advised that all FDCs are being moved back to 125 days for completion. When you implement the laws of averages, that sure creates a whole new range of just how long they are taking. i.e.- if I did half the claims in 90 days, and the other half in 160 days or so, I'd still see an average of 120-130 days most likely. Then if you start breaking down into quarters or segments during a year, you can really stretch your numbers. IMHO I'm in N.M btw. Take care

Lil-rob, First let me say I understand what you are going through physically. It's not easy and people in our lives don't understand just how much it hurts. I have had two fusions. L5s1. The first failed and they had to completely remove the first one in order to re-fuse the joint. In the past year we discovered the hardware screws were actually bending inside the joint. This on top of all the other secondary pain issues and muscle problems. So, after the second fusion I wasn't given an increase at all because of the incapacitating episodes. The ROM at that time was the same. Now that the hardware is failing I had a new c&p and it appears everything riding the ROM and the incapacitating episodes, which have become more than six weeks in a year. My only advice is, make sure you are completely honest with yourself regarding your rom,what I mean is, you know when it hurts and at what point it begins to hurt. No need to impress anyone or feel like you have to give it everything you got. I found that an examiner was willing to let me push myself to a point I lost feeling in my legs. They simply tell you, go until it hurts. You already know what that means. They won't make you go further, they're just waiting for you to say it hurts at this point. Let the cards fall after that. As you know, the levels above your fusion begin to fail over time. This is happening to me yet there can be no ankylosis yet. You will probably need to take a second look at all of the secondary problems with respect to your increase...radiculopathy,muscle damage,sciatica,etc. sorry to carry on but like I said I understand...........the short answer...definitely get a FDC going! Even though mine is six months waiting...worth the wait

Thanks guys, I'm in NM. I'll give the VSO a ring. Much appreciated and hang in there!

I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on FDC timetables and whether or not I should start asking questions. I filed an increase in Sept and submitted the FDC application. I have had my C&P(Feb 19). the claim moved to REVIEW on Feb 20. It has been almost 180 days. Is the 90 day timeline wishful thinking for these? Is there any chance my claim has been marked as way overdue for an FDC? or is this just like the rest of the claims, FDC or not it will be closer to a year? Been at this since 2010 so I know we all have to wait, just wish they didn't even mention 90 days. Thanks.

Thank you for your response. As you know, as military types there's nothing like knowing there's someone else out there! I am in New Mexico ,filed out of Albuquerque. I have also been out of work since last June. Filed ssdi late September and still no word! That is a heckuva long time if you have to wait another 6 to 9 months. I suppose I was hoping it sits in review 60 to 90 days, it's frustrating to know its DONE and sitting there but that's life. Hang in there, I hope it happens for you sooner

Hello everyone I hope someone can help me answer a question about my C&P results. I am currently 50% SC for Low back condition,radiculopathy,scars,tinnitus. I filed FDC for increase Sept 2013 and for secondary issues including my hip. I had my CP February 19 and barely moved to review of evidence on the 21st. I have had two spinal fusions. During the second they took a bone graft from my iliac crest. This has left me in severe pain and a cystic lesion has emerged on my iliac crest. The CP doc stated my hip issues were "less likely" and it appeared my hip was not in too bad of shape. She then added a section..RESTATEMENT of medical OPINION,,she stated that I had indicated my hip was in pain but in fact it's my iliac crest. Then she wrote that I had a cyst at the graft site and this has become painful. She finished by stating this was "at least as likely" connected to my low back condition. My question is...does anyone know what exactly they will rate for the cyst/lesion? I know that we never should ask about a specific rating but does anyone know the average RANGE for something like that? On a side note it looked good for secondary depression and the increase since she indicated 6 Weeks or more incapacitating and my ROM was 15 Thank you