KennyJ

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

Well it has only been 3 weeks since I signed the waiver and was informed today that the ALJ awarded me SSDI benefits. I know i gave up something but the wait is finally over and I still get 24 months retro. Thanks for all the advice.

I agree Chuck but the Judge said he was using tht date because that when VA awarded TDIU. I think it is fair besides I am tired of fighting. I believe by doing that that maybe I will be awarded SSA benefits.

I sure hope so thank you Pete. I cut a similiar deal upon receiving tdiu from VA, by giving up appeals.

Received reply from lawyer today. I had asked them to ask judge if I could get a decision without waiting for ALJ hearing. Judges office said if change my retro date by a year and half less he would make decision . I signed and faxed letter back. could this mean a favorable decision. I am 80% Tdiu with VA.?

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

I filed for SSDI in March 2004 and was turned down ( although I was only 20% SC at the time) I filed for osteo arthritis and depression, peripheral neuropathy and Sleep apnea. I was denied at ALC and Appeals Council. That claim is now awaiting to go to the District court Level or Federal. My lawyer said I also file a brand new original claim which I did in December 2006. Since then I have been awarded 80% TDIU (70% Depression) and 2 VA Psychs say they don't think I am able to work. Have been told they will be making decision on new claim this week. Well I should know soon I guess.

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.

I think you have been awarded something. In my experience when when you are denied everything it doesn't take long from DRO to your post office box. My DAV SO told me 3 weeks ago that I would be receiving IU with retro back to June 2005. 2 weeks ago I received the DAV notification letter stating this. yesterday was told by 800 Rep that the claim was now with Senior Specialist waiting to be signed off on and I should receive the VA notifiaction letter in next 7 to 10 working days. Sounds good to me.Hey after waiting this long I can wait a little longer.

How hard is it to get a VA home loan. What are the requirements. Must one have good credit to get the loan?

Are You on any meds for depression. When they rated my Depression secondary claim Last Month the fact that I had been on meds for 2 years helped greatly.

thanks to everyone and no matter what the retro I will be making a donation to this board. I will continue to add my comments for other people here also. Thanks

Ok December 2006 I was raised from 20% to 805 and on December 19, 2006 I filed a reopened claim for TDIU. Well after 4 years of headaches and turmoil my DAV rep. called yesterday and said she had met with Rating officer who was in charge of my appeals. She said the RO said that she didn't think that I could prevail on my appeal for higher % and EED. She said that if I was to drop my appeals that I would be granted TDIU effective immediately. I told her to drop the appeals since the whole reasons for the appeals was to get to 100%. They are going to give me retro back to June 2005. Thank you everyone and especially you TBird for starting this forum. Thanks Berta, Pete and everyone for their support just too many to name.