[Getting Myself Back Into the Workforce-Questions]

The VA doesn't just hand out IU T&P awards, your pretty fracked up, more than you probably realize. Read the 38 CFR 4 70% rating for PTSD. You've got some real issues to contend with, that will greatly affect your productivity and employment prospects. VA's MH programs might help, to a certain degree. Just don't expect to wake up one morning, PTSD free, ain't going to happen, you paid the price.

Your under 65 so you can earn up to the SGI cut off of $12,400 or $238.00 per week, without fear of an automatic IU Reduction. Some employers might make accommodations for your SC conditions, that would work, even if you earned more than SGI yearly. Best to be upfront with any prospective employer regarding your PTSD issues.

Semper Fi

I skipped over this part of the packet for a reason. I just read the 70% rating (I was 30%). I mean, they are doctors who specialize in this, so I am not one to contradict their definition. I know that I don't hallucinate, but xxxxxxx hell. 90% of the rest of it is spot-on. Things have been getting progressively worse. I've never once thought about suicide, though. In fact, I think the other way. My training saved me and my men's lives countless times. Sure, there was luck, but we were some trained motherfuckers. And I loved helping my junior Marines with problems. 

My last job was in IT for a large investment bank. I solved problems for my junior guys as well as my customers who had issues with their desk set-ups, trading desks, etc.. IT stuff always came naturally, and I want to get some awesome certifications so I'm bonafide if/when I enter the workforce, as I'll have a large employment gap.

I LOVE helping people, maybe not on a clinical level, but in an office setting. It was high op tempo, with great pay (I worked in Midtown NYC), for a great company. That's where I need to get back to. I just hope the VocRehab people don't cheesedick my application.

Semper Fi

[Getting Myself Back Into the Workforce-Questions]

Thank you for the responses, everyone. My first post, and some very informative feedback. BTW, my rating includes P&T, with no future examinations.

I just sent in a VocRehab application via VONNAP. I hope the counselor can tell me what's what. 

I also looked into the SSDI. I have enough SS credits to rate $1200 a month. I'm going to submit an application as well. Their site tells me I need to bring my "award" letter to my local SSA office.

No one in the world can complain about taking home ~$4100 a month (well, some), but I am going to take it and use it as motivation to get back into the workforce. Obviously the gov wants this, but I don't want to be 13 months at a job, and then "it" starts coming out again, as pete992 stated. That is no good.

I think my best course of action is to get into some very heavy therapy, work a menial job for a bit, and see how I fare. I EAS'd in 2005, so I know my triggers at this point. Maybe that job battery will illuminate a "trigger-free" job field. They don't exist, but hey, people win the lottery, right?

Thanks again to everyone who posts on this site. A lot of good gouge from a great brotherhood. I will tread lightly and use all available resources.

SF

 

 

 

 

 

[Getting Myself Back Into the Workforce-Questions]

Hello All,

I was recently "awarded" 100% TDIU P&T (sorry if that's incorrect). While the benefits are great, I'm still young and feel that I can get myself back into the workforce in the near future. They changed my rating to 100% TDIU for my PTSD (70% scheduler). I was hit by a mortar, so I have some other lesser ratings that total 90% (final rating. including the 70% for PTSD). I do realize that I cannot go out and make a living over the poverty level, but I have no clue as how to proceed without gaming the system. I put in several calls to my Regional Office for Voc Rehab. They should be the ones to guide me, right?

I just want to know the best course of action, without abusing the system. I have felt a lot of shame since they rated me TDIU. I'm only 32 years old, and I feel that I have the world in front of me. Can I get rid of this rating and return to a normal life after therapy? The hill is steep, but I know I can climb it. I've been fired from several jobs for the typical PTSD reasons. I am finally coming to terms with this crap that floats around in my head, but this rating feels like a sentence from a judge.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.