Gastone:
Thank you for your response.
1) I am 45 y.o.
2) I was initially at 80% permanent, 50% of that was PTSD, in 2010.
3) In 2012, something very bad happened at work at the same time that there was VA worker misconduct that ended in the counselor being fired, and I had to quit my job and was re-evaluated, putting me at 100% for PTSD, temporary - because they put me at 100% for PTSD, the physical stuff was not part of it, but is still there (i.e., 30% physical)
4) So, I have been 100% temp for PTSD, for 5 1/2 years.
5) I do not agree that I am 100% for PTSD, but do agree that because of the 2012 incidents, I am worse than I was in 2010, with a high likelihood of being hospitalized when/if something traumatic happens (as happened in 2015, and 2017), and as such, would say the 70% is an accurate reflection of where I am now and probably will be for life (given that each trauma is cumulative).
6) With a 70% rating for PTSD, and the 30% physical that was already permanent and continues to be there (i.e., a seizure disorder that was caused by treatment at Walter Reed; a shoulder, injury; elbow and wrist injuries, resulting in surgery; degenerative back and neck problems, ...), the rating should be 100% total (the original 80%, plus 20% more for the PTSD in large part due to VA misconduct - I know things aren't just added together, but the first (i.e., highest rating) is added to a factor of the other ratings, with the other ratings being 30% before all this in 2012, so that the PTSD does go up by the full 20%) and permanent if they agree with their own assessment that I am at 70% for PTSD.
I hope that all makes more sense. Yes, I know the work situation makes me inelligable for the 100% PTSD, which is why I am not working... although the other issue is that I don't know if I can work even part time and not end up in the hospital at some point. If I go to work, they would put me down to some other percentage, I may end up in the hospital, have to quit the job, and would not have the disability to pay the bills because I would no longer be at 100%, and it could take a year to be re-evaluated and decided upon, at which point I will already have lost my home. The second issue is that, with 2 kids in college currently, I NEED to work to help them with tuition if I am not at 100% permanent (with PTSD, or with total of PTSD and physical) so that they can use chapter 35. With the continued temporary, all for PTSD, I am deemed not able to work but also not able to help them with tuition through chapter 35 - a lose-lose for me.
So, my basic question I suppose comes down to, is it a good idea, given all this, to appeal this current decision? If so, how do I make the case that I am 70% PTSD permanent, with the 30% permanent physical, as was already determined?
Thank you again!