KennyJ

I was diagnosed with Dysthimia last December and was given a 70% rating after filing for depression.

I sent in Form 95 last year to DOJ they wrote back and said that if was not their juridiction and forwarded my claim to the Department of navy. The navy wrote back and asked me to fill out a Questionaire which my lawyer took care of. When the Navy contacted me they said they were checking my records to make sure I was actually there at the time I said. They have acknowledged my claim I have been waiting since December 2007.

This is very similar to my situation. I was releases from Marines in 1984 with a medical discharge from knee degeneration. I filed for benefits in 2003. They said the condition was preexisting because I told a doctor on the Medical board that I had been having trouble with my leg since I was about 12. On the Appeal I sent in copies of the Presumption of Soundness. I was a field radio man and I noted that if it was pre existing surely being in infantry unit for 2 years had to make it worse. Well in 2004 they gave me 20% which I appealed. I also filed for depression and ankle degeration , well they granted me 70% for anxiety disorder from the years of pain and meds. Which got me to TDIU. With an imo and the regs they will grant you benefits.

80% IU January 2007

In my dealing with the VA most of the time when dealing with RO and they say the case is closed: I was awarded some type of award. But all that said you must wait to officially him from them.

Just go the Veteran Affairs web site and type in SMCs in search box on top

How hard is it to receive A&A when one is receiving TDIU. What is required?

If one recieves TDIU does this entitle the vet to ChampVa or Tri-care?

Now that I am 100%TDIU (no T&P yet) I have been considering taking an online college course to use all this excess time. I am 70% dysthymia(chronic anxiety) 20% arthritis left knee, 10% right knee, 10% ankles, 80% total. My question is would it be wise for me to take an online course and how would the VA interpret this. My depression states that I can't work with other people but this would be at home and isolated. Does the VA fund online courses? Would this make them consider any new future exams? Any help appreciated.

No Berta I think they gave retro from the date that I became egilible for the Tdiu(60% rating) from the claims I filed later which was the June 2005 date. When I filed the original TDIU claim I was only 20% SC.

Well first of all I was awarded 20% disability for osteoarthritis of the left knee April 2004. I appeal that rating and also for EED and filed for TDIU, claim for ankles, depression, right knee and fibromyalia. Well bout 6 months later all was denied. Did formal appeal and County SO told me drop the claims and just appeal the higher rating, instead I dropped him. Got DAV as SO rep. The BVA remanded everything back to VARO and finally in July 2006 they set up 5 C&Ps . In December I was awarded 70% for depression due to pain caused by my knee, and 10% for each ankle, 10 for right knee which came to 80% total. 2 weeks later my DAV SO said that I would be awarded TDIU.

I was rated 20% arthritis of left knee . I filed for depression as secondary in June 2005. December 2006 I was awarded 70% depression( chronis anxiety) I had beed on depression meds for 2 years at time of award.

Maybe in a sort of way I can see why it takes so long for a claim to go through the system with all the evidence gathering and waiting delays. But a dependency claim? They have the marriage license and SSNs so why should this take 2 up to 4 months for this simple type of claim. it should be just a matter of checking records a week at the least . Wow everything in this system is ridiculous.

I was awarded IU at 80% but no T&P and Chapter 35. They said there would be future exams to determine the T&P. My question is should I be contempt with the IU or file for 100% T&P so I can have Chapter 35 benefits for my family.

I don't know but it seems that you should be able to file a claim implying that your military service aggravated your condition if you can get the medical support to back it up.