notapb1

Thanks Berta, Wish it could also be the other way around! Bill

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

I'm sorry. I did ask a question in the above in bold. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you!

K I guess I just need to vent. a while back my claim for IU disappeared from E-Benefits. It still shows my claim for my daughter in College. I called when it first happened and was told to call back in 2 weeks if it was still not there. I've received the same information every time I've called per their instruction and was told it is in the decision making process and the normal script of " My Regional Office has an average time of etc.,etc." They are well passed their average time and I feel like our life is on hold. Right now what I receive is enough to cover Family Health insurance and my mortgage payment. I'm done. just pissed!

My SSDI Letter of Approval states that the Hearing Officer gives the greatest weight from my (VA) Psychiatrist that the claimant has poor or no ability to preform most of the basic mental activities of work. The undersigned concludes that the claimant is disabled based on his mental impairments alone with no need to discuss his physical impairments. While this does not come right out and say it's based on PTSD am I to assume (yes I know) that it is one and the same? It does state that the claimant has a long history of PTSD related to his combat experience in Vietnam. Then restates the conditions of PTSD inclusive earlier in the write up.. I hand carried this information to my Regional Office and had it date/time stamped. As I've stated on this forum else where the examining Psychiatrist (C&P) was told to write his opinion and not to call me back for another examination. His letter,as I've said, could not have been better written if I had done it myself. Sorry I am repeating myself , there is a question here.

I was ridiculed by my SO for getting a lawyer as she claimed she could win on appeal. If she had done it correctly the first time I would probably not been in that situation. My Lawyer got me from 50% to current 80%. I have been waiting for a decision on my IU that everyone claims is a slam dunk (Yea right!) If it is denied I could care less what percentage I pay the Lawyer. It's now the principle!

This is just their Psych's exam and remarks. As Carlie has said if something can go wrong...........

Just found this in my medical file on My HealtheVet Blue Button. I have removed the examiners name. If it is not advisable to post this I will remove all. I guess if I had written it myself it couldn't have gone better. Feedback please. [X] Veterans Health Administration medical records (VA treatment records) MEDICAL OPINION SUMMARY ----------------------- Based upon the records examined, particularly the last compensation exam conducted on March 7, 2014, relevant literature, and the training and experience of this examiner, it is the opinion of this examiner that this veteran would be unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment in his normal occupational environment, regardless of the physical or sedentary aspects of a given job, primarily due to persistent PTSD symptoms, per DSM-5 diagnostic guidelines, of increased arousal (such as irritability and difficulty concentrating) as well as an avoidance of stimuli associated with his traumatic experiences (avoiding interpersonal interactions, crowds) and a numbing of general responsiveness (being detached and having a restricted range of affect), and is socially totally and occupationally impaired and that he is individually unemployable at this time. RESTATEMENT OF REQUESTED OPINION: a. Opinion from general remarks: MEDICAL OPINION: PTSD (UNEMPLOYABILITY): The veteran was examined on March 7, 2014 for his service connected PTSD. Please do not recall the veteran unless it is necessary to provide the opinion. Examiner, please comment on how the Veteran's service connected PTSD impacts his ability to obtain/maintain gainful employment. Please describe the functional impairments and how those impairments impact the Veteran's physical and sedentary employment. Please provide the complete rationale for your opinion. b. Indicate type of exam for which opinion has been requested: DBQ Psych PTSD Review **************************************************************** PSYCHOLOGIST Signed: 08/06/2014 19:05

Philip sorry I just saw your post. I did not take retirement at 62. I applied for SSDI. I was told at the time that I could receive Retirement Benefits while waiting at the reduced rate. I was approved for SSDI and they just paid me the difference in my retro. I am currently waiting for VA Decision on unemployability. And I do not have one foot in the grave to qualify!

New question. My claim was listed on ebenifits. It was to the point of they were examining the evidence. I looked a few minutes ago and it is gone, not listed. the only open claim is for dependency. Appreciate any feedback. Thank you!

Update on my initial post. I was just told by my counselor that the response from the above Doc. or Psych Evaluator was in my medical file. He read it to me and the response was that I was not capable of working due to PTSD and recommended me for IU. I still have to go on the 2nd of September to the Diabetes Clinic for them to say if it would effect my be able to work. It seem like the Diabetes Clinic feedback will be minimal compared to the above. All at the Vet Center feel that the Psych input is the last piece to the puzzle. I wonder if the VA can still screw it up? Thoughts, comments? Thanks!

: (18 August 2014 - 09:26 AM)Looking For Feedback. I Have Applied For Iu. Was Told To Come In For A Psych Eval And Diabetes Clinic. Received A Call From Va They Were Cancelling The Psych Eval As The Doc(?) Who Did It In March(Ptsd Increase) Was Asked For His Opinion And He Was Going To Submit That. This Is The Same Individual Who Told Me Off The Record About Iu And To Contact My Service Officer. Sounds Positive To Me, But I May Be A Little Bias. Thoughts?

I'm just going to relate what I know as fact and my own to date experience. You can not apply for IU while working. I do not know how long you have to be off work to be eligible to apply. I basically went through the same experience as you. I had what I'll call a complete melt down 2 years ago. I was on disability from work. After a time that ran out and my employer gave me a good severance package. (20 plus years) I applied for Social Security Disability. Because I was 62 I could receive retirement benefits, based on my last 3 years income, while waiting for an answer from SSD. I received my approval for SSD a chunk of money into the bank, minus my retirement amount. Ironically the SSD approval gave more weight to my VA Psychiatrist then any other information. I too was hesitant in applying for IU as I didn't feel I wanted that as a reason for not working and naturally my ego was involved. After speaking to my Counselor, people in group and naturally my wife this is the feedback I was given. The last 40 plus years were up and down. Believe me I'm over simplifying, but would fill a book with all. What hit me the most was what they called quality of life for the time I have on the green side. I owed myself, wife kids etc. better. Do I make a decent living at 80%(70 for PTSD/10 for Type Two Diabetes) plus SSD yes. Should I make more and know I can fully pay my bills and travel with my wife, most definitely. I've also been told if I'm not a picture on a wall until after 10 years, when I do pass my wife will get a % for her lifetime. She just turned 50 so it's damn worth it! As of this date I am still waiting for a yes or no, 9 months later. That my brother is my experience.

I just received a new packet in the mail requiring a reply within 30 days. Basically they are asking for all the same evidence that has all ready submitted. I.E. SSD status.Approved, I took that directly to the Regional Office with my case number on every page. They copied and date stamped for me as received. Letters from my previous employer, which they all ready have. Etc. Etc. Etc. It even says that they are going to schedule another examination by the VA, which my service Officer previously said they would not do. I am currently 80% (70% PTSD and 10% for Diabetes Type II) I'm beginning to wonder if I should get a lawyer at this point. I all ready have the SSD,so now what is happening???????

I'm sorry but I do not enjoy having Diabetes II due to Agent Orange. Nor do I enjoy sleep apnea!

I have recently received SSD based solely on PTSD (Mental) I have a claim in for unempolablity with the VA. Will the SSD help my VA Claim

I have recently received approval on my SSD due to PTSD ( I am currently at 70% PTSD and 10 % Diabetes) I have applied for unemployability with VA. My question is will the SSD help my VA claim?