Usetacould

My wife is being kicked off. It’s apparently paused for now though. Who knows what will happen. We have been scrambling to readjust our expenses to cover lost income.

I got the call from my lawyer that they approved Unemployability monday, they conceded before my hearing. Then she emailed me tuedsay that it is going to be permanent and total. The weight has been lifted! Now I can concentrate on being feeling better and being a good dad and husband. To everyone out there fighting with this system: There is light at the end of the tunnel. Just keep chipping away until they give you what you deserve.

Plan A: Pay off some money I owe my ex to convince her to move with my kids. I don't like where I live... Plan B: Do some renovations to our house and pay off some bills so we can sell it in a few years and move. I really don't like where I live..... Plan C: Go to a Vikings/Broncos game...my wife is a Broncos fan I am a Vikings fan (they hardly ever play each other). And pay off some bills. Its fun to think about but I'm not counting any chickens yet....

I got a call today from my lawyer. They are willing to concede and give me TDIU as soon as she proves that the Independent Living paperwork said what my lawyer told them. Apparently she faxed it to the DRO this afternoon so the decision should be forthcoming. My IL paperwork was pretty clear that I can't work. After the lawyer proves that they just have to nail down a backpay date. And my c-file still wasn't provided. After dealing with the VA for this long I am still worried but it's looking up. Fingers crossed that this will all be over in the next couple weeks.

So I got an email from my attorney last night late. The VA hasn't given them my c-file yet. They have requested it several times over the last 8 months. My attorney said we might have to postpone my appeal now since they can't get the information. Im so nervous and frustrated.... Anyone know why the VA wouldn't give my file to my attorney?

With less than 2 weeks till my hearing I got my IL assessment. It is 4 pages of I can't work. They wrote a lot and included all of my disabilities and why they prevent me from working. Hopefully this helps me. I tried to pick it apart from the "dark side" point of view but I couldn't find anything that even suggests I can go back to work. Keeping my fingers crossed for a good outcome....

I filed my NOD about 8 months ago so it'll be 9 months when I go. I got a congressman involved because they wouldn't send my file to my lawyer. Shockingly enough the same day I contacted the congressman they called and asked if I was available to have a hearing (weird huh...). I have noticed what 63 is saying. It does seem harder as I go up in percentage. 40% to 70% wasn't that difficult but after 70% they started denying things and seemingly rated at least one of my issues wrong (20% low). Also like I was saying above it seems to me like I'm textbook unemployable but they denied me.

That makes me feel a lot better. I was worried about it being formal since I have an attorney. I've been stressing hard and getting worse as it gets closer.

Thank you for the advice. Unfortunately I am not eligible for SSDI due to the job I medically retired from.

This is my first post but I have been reading and researching on these forums for a long time. Hopefully someone can shed a little light on my situation. Or maybe ease my mind. I am currently rated at 70% combined. I have a lower back rating of 40% and 5 other 10% ratings. About a year ago I filed for individual unemployability and was denied. I have 4 destroyed discs in my lower back and 3 more damaged ones in my upper spine. I recently got a spinal cord stimulator implanted, I am actually still recovering from the surgery. I also have nerve damage in one of my legs and am forced to walk with a cane. I filed for unemployability due to the fact my service connected disability caused me to lose my job. I was forced to medically retire. I was advised by my VA doctor to stop working. I attempted to go through vocational rehab but they told me they could not find a career path for me due to my multiple disabilities and the fact I am only going to get worse. They then sent me to Independent Living and I am currently awaiting one more letter in the mail from my doctor (which has been completed) to receive the items I requested. I also applied for and received a handicapped placard for my vehicle (the VA doctor completed the paperwork stating I have permanent disabilities). My wife is also my caretaker and receives a stipend from the VA at the tier 2 level. I have also filed for another increase for depression and anxiety as secondary due to losing my career, as well as a rating for all the scars from my surgeries and others I got while still in the military. I am still waiting for those to work their way through the system. During my C&P exam for my back to get my rating raised and IU, in the block or question that asks if I have been forced to miss work for more than 6 weeks I answered yes and it was documented. From my research I found that is supposed to give me 60%. Just with this increase it seems I should be rated a minimum of 80% combined. I feel that the only things working against me are my age and my appearance. I know this sounds strange but I am only 39 and I always tried to take really good care of myself. If someone were to just look at me I do not look disabled. Due to the denial of IU I hired an attorney to help me appeal. I was just tired of dealing with it on my own.... They took my case on contingency so that makes me feel like I have a pretty good chance of winning. I have a DRO hearing coming up on the 7th of July. I am curious what these hearings are like. I read that they are pretty casual, but is it different with a lawyer? Also based on what I said (I know the information is not complete) what are everyones thoughts on my chances of IU or an increase? My DRO hearing is in Nevada if that makes a difference. Thank you in advance for any information. "Usetacould"