garlicBreath

Hi, I'm sc at60%. Have backinjury . And depression. I have always complained that the back pain radiates down my left leg. I never thought to claim my leg as part of my condition. As time moves forward, it gets worse. Should I claim the leg as secondary? Thanks for any help you can offer. CK

Correct, I am sc for back primarily. I am seeking advice on one more topic related to my conditions. Should I be claiming my leg since the back pain radiates down my leg and into my ankle. This is not a new symptom, I just never thought to claim it.

Hey there, I was looking at my review from 2009 and noticed something I didn't see before. The RO stated that based soley on my depression I may be able to be gainfully employed. The next sentence said that if they take into consideration my primary condition of herniated discs/sciatica, it is that I will not be able to retain gainful employment. I just noticed this information last week. In 2009 they BVA asked me if I wanted to apply for unemployability, I said no, I can still do something. I went through voc rehab, got a degree. School wasn't too bad, I worked my schedule so I only went 2-3 days a week. Ended up with a job that I was able to retain for 6 months. I called in over 13 times in those six months. The end result was me shutting down completely from pain, stress, and depression. I quit in February, this is the third job I have lost in the past five years. I have done sales, self employed auditing, and accounting. Would it make sense to apply for TDUI? My condition has been well documented since 1999. I had several outpatient procedures performed during my service. Why didn't voc rehab know about what the RO said? Why doesn't anyone discuss ratings decisions with you? Your opinion and comments are greatly appreciated, CK

Here is some background. Was 10% in 2001-2. 20% in 2004-5. As of June 2009 SC at 60%:Herniated Nucleus Propulsus(Discs) 40%, Major Depressive Disorder 30% but with VA math-20% effective. I enrolled in Voc Rehab. Failed to complete it once. Then completed it last year with degree in accounting. During school, i blew up at two professors on two or three seperate occasions, but that didn't come up since my Voc Rehab councelor changed several times, resulting in very little interaction. Last July, I got a job at a small accounting office. It took five months to get the job, and I think the only reason they hired me was because they got a 40% tax incentive on my wages since I'm a disabled vet. When I disclosed my disabilities to my employer, he seemed extremely put off by it. My back hurst every single day, in several different ways. It began when I lost my footing while running in the rain at NAS Jax in 1999. The moment it happened, I felt the surge of pain shoot down my leg. The back of my leg hurts, my ankle hurts. I cant sit for more than 20 minutes without feeling the pain pulsing down my leg. Beyond my physical limitations are the emotional aspects that have caused me distress. I never felt comfortable there and was sure that no one wanted me there. I would walk into peoples offices and would see them clinch their jaw muscles. The bosses daughter was my "trainer", and by the end of my employment there, I wanted to slap the s*^t out of her. I didn't make a single friend and always ate alone. I tried to join in the break room for lunch but always felt extremely ackward. To the point i would begin to feel hot and start sweating. This wasnt the first time this happened. I also sweat profusely when i fill out job applicattions, and some other social situations. I called in 13+ times in six months, sometimes for multiple days. There were days I just left and didn't say anything because i felt embarrased about my condition. I ended up telling them i could only work part time to manage my health in a better manner. Here is his response:"I received your email and it appears that you are resigning your position. A week after I "resigned" my voc rehab councelor sent me a letter stating succesful completion of the program. I contacted him several times during my employment, telling him about the problems i was having. I told him i was having issues with concentration and that i was making a lot of mistakes because of it. He didn't really respond to this. Also, I never met this person. I also had a job in 2012 where i worked from home as an insurance auditor. It lasted six months and was production based. During the six months i worked there, i made a total of $4300. Is it premature to apply for TDIU or should i keep on trucking and hope for a better tomorrow? Thanks for any input.