Valhalla0321

P/T is supposed to Expedite however really has no controlling weight on decision, actually the only thing that has any controlling weight by rule of law is what SSA see's it in there eyes to be. Remember it's not like the VA it is an Insurance claim that you actually are filing for. I like to think of it as that way, have you ever heard or dealt with filing a insurance claim in general.. yeah.. they don't just hand out money easily .. like SSA. Now SSA will and has to pay up when there is so much convincing evidence according to there "guidelines" we are all bound by there ins guidelines no matter what the ailment is, pretty sad but in reality. Best advice i can give is be ready, if you know there is any inconsistency or double in your medical charts.. you better square that away Marine!! because SSA does no like inconsistency or Double it's either fluid or not.. if its even a bit murky.. The red sirens go off at the round table. Also, your Doctor has to be in it together with you!!! ride or die or its a unfortunate dilemma. Another best advise i can give ya is make sure you know when your insurance coverage end of life is or it will smack you in the face so hard. If you have an attorney ask him if he knows the judge! if he does not, he is probably a rookie, also ask him if he is linked up with SSA in the account to actually see things go across the channels, if he does not.. he is rookie monster. Don't be that guy that could take on your Lawyer at a bar exam, if that would be the case then your better off riding solo.

Best advice is to make sure all your VA doctor specialists are on board and back you up, also make sure that they write everything they discuss with you in your record. Check you record on ebene's and make sure all doctors are doing there job because a majority of them will cut and paste things "from older appointments" discussed with you, which is redundant and counter intuitive and ultimately will impact you.

http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/dav-survey-caregivers-help VA Secretary David Shulkin has said he hopes to use the review to find ways to expand the caregiver services to a broader range of veterans’ families, since current rules limit monthly stipends and other assistance offerings to only post-9/11 veterans. The DAV survey backs that idea. In the report, officials calls the exclusion of older veterans from the program “an injustice that must be corrected” and labels the current services available to all veterans’ caregivers “nowhere near adequate to meet the needs” of those families. Of the 1,833 caregivers surveyed, 75 percent said their loved ones would need to be institutionalized if a family caregiver was not available.

https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/support_benefits.asp Who Is Eligible? Veterans eligible for this program are those who sustained or aggravated a serious injury – including traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma or other mental disorder – in the line of duty, on or after September 11, 2001. Veterans eligible for this program must also be in need of personal care services because of an inability to perform one or more activities of daily living and/or need supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological impairment or injury.

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/06/01/proposed-va-benefit-cut-angers-elderly-disabled-vets.html

My opinion and not advice since i am not an expert is, Its said that if your Doctors and Psych back you up "the ones that have treatment records on you that are not months worth but more.. like year/years worth then this is great because it is what the NEW SSA rules look for. The examples are that SSA wants to see history and not just letters of recommendations, awards etc.. they want to see medications taken and not refused.. SSA wants to see consistency of all treating physicians. Most importantly the conditions must follow criteria of SSA. I would take a look at this link to get up to date with how SSA views Mental conditions via SSDI. See below and good luck... http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/page9-16.html

Wow, I know how difficult this journey can be, i went to judge and even special counsel after the Judge denied me. Best advice i can give you is that you need everyone on board from Dr. to specialist and still pray that no one is having a bad day who your case is with. Also most importantly is for you to know when your Insurance (SSDI) expires.. yes it expires, does not last for ever.. so you can't just re do, re appeal for ever.. there is a timeline and you better know this now!.

I might be wrong but it appears that only after weeks of your claim being submitted and processing it went to complete? If that's the case, something suspicious about that.

Quick Question, Can i get a PTSD diagnosis from a non VA Doctor and if i do, is it accepted? I here a lot that is referenced that a VET see's a VA psyc if you have ptsd. Let me know your thoughts, reason being is, i have a issue with a Neuro Psych that i had seen that totally treated me bad in front of my VA HudVash Social worker who drove me to the appointment and was there for support. I am avoiding going to this Dr. who appears to be the only specialist in the local VAMC. I did see an outside Doc but it was via Choice program and they just did a quick assessment. I also visited a Neuro specialist via choice program who is not a neuro pscy but wrote that i needed CBT for PTSD.. .. Choice program is so mismanaged by the way.. you ask for PTSD help and get a Neurologist instead of Nuero Psyc specialist.. then back through VA... Then Choice program if you are an unfortunate one.

Very interesting on the Pyramid analogy

Wow.. I am TDIU, on independent living program with Voc Rehab and just went to a SSDI Hearing and the Judge was only asking about my Custody/full custody i have of my child. The judge did not let my VA clinical homeless program caseworker even talk in the courtroom. I have letters and one from Nuero pscy that supports what my VA caseworker and Voc rehab specialist have written, which is i have a serious employment handycap and should not return to work unless my many Disabilities are cured and they have not been. Can't believe that there are some that don't have to go through what i did in court with all the letters in support.. its good to read stories like this though.

hum???

As of the 29th of March my SSDI Appeal Hearing is with decision writer.... ugh... what to expect..

Thanks for your feedback. just to put it out there as the support other than the TDIU. My clinical Social worker wrote a realy great letter that said pretty much i am not work ready and so did my Vocational Rehabilitation Councilor who placed me on Independent living and wrote a letter stating the challenges and not work ready. The only problem is that they are not Doctors and every rater or SSA makes that clear, so i recently visited a Neuropsychologist and i beleive she provided the best letter, with compilation of all the professionals statements and letter i mentioned a couple sentences ago here. Take a look and tell me what you think? This came after the VA TDIU i think all the years i was denied by VA, if i had this letter it would have helped, hope it helps out in SSA decision, i can't imagine why it would not and the Dr. who wrote this letter is a Seasoned Dr, Director of Neuro.. that should add some weight.. my only ? is does the viewer see this as the "i can't work letter" Dear Mr. V: You requested a letter regarding your ability to work at the current time and sent me records which included notes from Mr. K, your VASH caseworker (5/6/15), Dr. J (6/12/15), a Medical Access physician, and Bee, your vocational rehabilitation counselor (undated). These notes list challenges to competitive employment including "serious employment handicap", inability "to secure or keep a full-time job unless his many physical health problems...are successfully resolved" and "greater need for more assistance". Dr. J lists diagnoses as "traumatic brain injury producing chronic headaches and insomnia, degenerative joint disease producing multiple chronic pains and neurogenic bladder producing bladder instability". Your neuropsychological evaluation of 12/24/15 revealed mild weakness in naming and mental flexibility with more severe impairment in memory and visual attention, with intact oral fluency, perceptual motor speed, working memory (digit span) and mental status (MMSE 27/30). You also self rated with mild depression, mild anxiety and severe daytime sleepiness. Given the severe daytime sleepiness, I would recommend that you consult with with your sleep medicine doctor to make sure your OSA therapy is optimal, and an EEG could be considered given your complaint of sudden cognitive "blanks". With respect to the intrusive and distressing flashbacks you describe, cognitive behavioral therapy could also be considered. It is likely that your cognitive variability stems from a contribution of severe daytime somnolence, chronic pain and TBI history along with mild depression and anxiety. With respect to the TBI however, your description of increasing cognitive deficits suggests other contribution(s), as this many years post injury, cognition would not be expected to decline. This underscores the importance of managing sleep and pain levels in order to work toward stronger cognition. In the meantime, your vocational professionals have advised that you are not work ready at this time and neuropsychological test findings support the need for further intervention to help you manage your complex and multiple symptoms. Sincerely, L, PhD Director of Neuropsychology

Any one heard about the ?Wounded Warrior project as it relates to SSDI, as when you get the SSA to recognize you if you are a 100% SC Veteran? I got denied SSDI 2x, last at the reconsideration. It seams SSDI thinks i can still answer the phone due to past work. I went to the SSDI Appeal Hearing and was shocked that the Judge Did not allow my Homeless Clinical Social Worker from the VA speak during the hearing. The Judge asked are there treatment records???after My lawyer asked if the Social Worker could talk on my behalf.. we did not have this so, the Judge said She would leave a 10 day window open for any documents to be sent.. can't believe the Social worker who drove me to hearing because i can't drive all the time via medications was not allowed to talk, he was actually told to wait in the lobby by Judge. Can't believe the Judge wanted to talk so much about my Full complete child custody.. she said.. did they just give that to you.. and no.. i can't explain how much i paid lawyers and blood sweat and tears it took to win the case.. anyway.. what Judge would just hammer out overzealous things like this. I am TDIU 70% total disabilities and 50% are for Migraines, which TDIU is really based on. The Judge asked when i started getting Migraines.. in 99 after my TBI and said .. " you worked during and leading up to 2013 right??? She did not allow me or lawyer to say.. it got worse and is why TDIU was awarded later in 2015.. i also had to fight since 2001 for this as well, actually i did not collectively ask for SC aggressively till 2012 anyway that's besides the SSDI comments i post here. So Judge is just being overzealous, not considering the TDIU, the Migraines that increased... none of the Dr. Diagnosis of Amnesia, confusion/memory loss, headaches, dizziness/lightheadedness,muscle weakness, balance problems, witnessed apnea,tingling/numbness, excessive sleepiness, falls, sleep disturbance/snoring, walking problems. Well i feel as the Judge is not considering this only because She did not let us Talk deeply about this, only focused on Migraines and that 9months ago i went to College, i had to stop because Voc Rehab put me on Independent Living and yes i have a letter in support of that i'm not work capable, however the SSDI Judge just let the states Voc specialist indicate that there are types of work i can do "hypothetically".. not good... very overzealous There is supposed to be a 5 step process SSA is supposed to follow to make Judgement on if you Disabled in there eyes, however when My attorney pointed this out in the beginning stating " i think it's pretty clear" The judge got a bit moody and i think it all went downhill from there. I have had Congressional Attention on this and asked again for congressman support because of this Judge asking things like How much about Custody.. i think that's irrelevant. i mean only relevance is some small question about if i get help from my child in some capacity.. but it really was not all about that.. just a lot of Custody when were and how.. jeeez.. Talked to my Lawyer and he said he does not know what crawled up the Judges chair other than she Was 1 hour late and we found this out only minutes to are appointment... Sorry for the poem here.. kind of venting as well..

Is the Wounded Warrior project as it relates to SSDI, when you get the SSA to recognize you if you are a 100% SC Veteran? I got denied SSDI 2x, last at the reconsideration. It seams SSDI thinks i can still answer the phone due to past work. I went to the SSDI Appeal Hearing and was shocked that the Judge Did not allow my Homeless Clinical Social Worker from the VA speak during the hearing. The Judge asked are there treatment records???after My lawyer asked if the Social Worker could talk on my behalf.. we did not have this so, the Judge said She would leave a 10 day window open for any documents to be sent.. can't believe the Social worker who drove me to hearing because i can't drive all the time via medications was not allowed to talk, he was actually told to wait in the lobby by Judge. Can't believe the Judge wanted to talk so much about my Full complete child custody.. she said.. did they just give that to you.. and no.. i can't explain how much i paid lawyers and blood sweat and tears it took to win the case.. anyway.. what Judge would just hammer out overzealous things like this. I am TDIU 70% total disabilities and 50% are for Migraines, which TDIU is really based on. The Judge asked when i started getting Migraines.. in 99 after my TBI and said .. " you worked during and leading up to 2013 right??? She did not allow me or lawyer to say.. it got worse and is why TDIU was awarded later in 2015.. i also had to fight since 2001 for this as well, actually i did not collectively ask for SC aggressively till 2012 anyway that's besides the SSDI comments i post here. So Judge is just being overzealous, not considering the TDIU, the Migraines that increased... none of the Dr. Diagnosis of Amnesia, confusion/memory loss, headaches, dizziness/lightheadedness,muscle weakness, balance problems, witnessed apnea,tingling/numbness, excessive sleepiness, falls, sleep disturbance/snoring, walking problems. Well i feel as the Judge is not considering this only because She did not let us Talk deeply about this, only focused on Migraines and that 9months ago i went to College, i had to stop because Voc Rehab put me on Independent Living and yes i have a letter in support of that i'm not work capable, however the SSDI Judge just let the states Voc specialist indicate that there are types of work i can do "hypothetically".. not good... very overzealous There is supposed to be a 5 step process SSA is supposed to follow to make Judgement on if you Disabled in there eyes, however when My attorney pointed this out in the beginning stating " i think it's pretty clear" The judge got a bit moody and i think it all went downhill from there. I have had Congressional Attention on this and asked again for congressman support because of this Judge asking things like How much about Custody.. i think that's irrelevant. i mean only relevance is some small question about if i get help from my child in some capacity.. but it really was not all about that.. just a lot of Custody when were and how.. jeeez.. Talked to my Lawyer and he said he does not know what crawled up the Judges chair other than she Was 1 hour late and we found this out only minutes to are appointment... Sorry for the poem here.. kind of venting as well..

63SIERRAThat was pretty deep about wheel of fortune and going to jail if you spin to win statement, i get a bit of what you are trying to say, but if you can't work because of your conditions prevent you to.. and are receiving SSDI.. what law or penalty prevents you from living the disabled life that you can muster, i find it harsh for someone getting Jailed because they are ON SSDI and want to enjoy life as they can...?

That is what it is all about, taking care of Veterans that take care of US.

Just read DDuck comment, that helps..

R3dneck and all.. that apply, I actually had a referral from a Legal membership that put me in contact with a reputable law firm that handles Disability and they said basically, to call them when i get a letter from a Dr. that Says " i cant work" which happens to be the song and dance i have been hearing even in the VA comp Claims Saga, which i was able to succeed in by way of "not a letter thats says this .. but close" Anyway none of which i gave the VA for there decision was used as weight in the SSDI reconsideration, they basically said " We do not have sufficient vocational information to determine whether you can perform any of your past relevant work, however based on the evidence in file, we have determined that you can adjust to other work, therefore.. Denied.....ahhhh" So i guess that letter from Voc Rehab placing me on independent living did not help either, what does help is all of you .. that help me out with posts and reply (We help each other with are stories to encourage hope. I know what the Lawyer told me and i expect they expect me to just let the 60 day appeal window just hang in the balance.. they even said i might have to re open a claim.. but why do that.. i;m motivated to appeal this with or without a attorney.. i don't think i have much to loose.. but i wish i had a Legal rep to make sure i don't get the law books sent down range at me... hope you all can chime in on what i can do other than finding a Dr. that will write a letter.. Bad enough that my outside state medicaid expired now both me and my Child have not insurance ( until champVA kicks in ) but that 100% is kind of tight with paying out of pocket for dental since VA does not pay for this..

I really don't understand why you don't have TDIU, almost like i don't understand why i don't have SSDI (denied 2x reconsideration recently denied) I am TDIU 100 P&T and from what i can see you should be to, but the puzzling thing is if im am TDIU and you are SSDI then what is going on here?? I really think that Voc Rehab recommending Independent living program helped my IU claim but not sure because the letter is not thorough and does not mention anything about me not being able to work(my voc counselor) refused to write a letter specific to this. (after a couple months after assessment they are still working on supervisor approval of.. hum.. not sure now wtf is going on) So, hopefully the VA overlooked this and that's not right if they did, that's my thoughts. Now back at you.....with a ? I can't find anyone that says i cant work letter.. no Dr. no consilor wants to do this for me and is why my SSDI probably is being denied, heck even an attorney told me "when you get a letter from a Dr. Stating you can't work then call me back to file an appeal...ugh!!!) So any suggestions?? Hope my little bit helps and i hope your little bit feedback helps to.. money is being stretched...i just realized that Dental is not covered for a P&T TDIU.. so a big chunk is going into dental for me and my Child... ugh!!!

Wow... Good information Yall, i hope it all works out for everyone. I was just recently awarded IU in begining of Aug2015 and i am on my appeal/reconsid with SSDI that denied me when i was not IU. I am 70% combined now and IU P&T or T&P and i feel like even based on what i read here, it's uncertain for any hopes on SSDI approval. I don't know what else would help from what i have now "IU, Voc rehab referal to Inedpendant Living, Dr. Notes stating i need to focus on my medical issues, Clinical Social Worker indicating he does not see me working until i get my disabilities resolved.. ossss. so frustrating to ponder but your comments help with indications.

Woo Hoo.. nice ...

Ok, so i guess no one has had experience with the Choice or chance monopoly program before ha?.. Well Good luck on getting An appointment. Very Sad.. program is so much work that by the time you get a outside appointment you are competing with same turn around with VA.. epic fail...

Wow, I have been out of work for 3 years, i am being referred to IL by Voc Rehab that withdrew me from class and is stopping my almost 3 years of college. I am 70% and was denied on my first IU because the Dr. Said i could do Sedentary work ie/ answer phone. So even if Voc gave me a letter it looks that it is subject to medical opinion and the CnP sedentary comment will trump that based on what i just read here.. gosh.. that is bum.. can't imagine i will survive off of a 70% single father with 11 year old... hoe there is light at the end of tunnel.. And i hope you find a way to prove IU.. I'll keep yo u posted.. sounds like it's tuff love from VA .. a Vet who simply can't work due to illness, in my case my 50% migraines are like a dagger to my day... gosh... Good luck everyone..