InfantryB4

Hello all, Forgive me if this has been addressed before. I feel like I have been reading forums and articles forever and not come across this. Currently I am rated 80%. 70% of that being PTSD. I have been seeing a therapist at the Vet Center for a few months now. She has been telling me I should not be working. Recently, we focused a bit more time on the IU aspect during a session. She doesn't really know much about the process involved but says she's more than willing to write a letter stating my issues and I should not be working. Also she said I should put in for short term disability through my employer while I wait the for the IU decision. I have all sorts of struggles at work, reliability, attitude, anxiety and just generally being around other people. I'm already on the radar and feel like I could be fired at anytime. The VA psychologist I seen for my C&P this past April noted the struggles I have at work but stopped short of saying I shouldn't be working. I have not been seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist. Just the Vet Center therapist. So, my questions are: Does a Therapist recommendation hold any weight as evidence or do I need one from an psychologist or psychiatrist? Can I apply for IU while on STD from my employer? or is that considered still working?

Thanks everyone for the replies! Gastone, I am yet to receive my Award letter. So I’m not exactly sure what the VA had to say on their decision. I was going strictly off Ebenefits. I didn’t know it’s possible for Ebennies and The VA letter to differ. I’ll definitely look into the VA Vocational Rehabilitation and the other steps. Did you use a VSO or the like? So far I’ve been going solo on this venture.

Sounds good. Thanks for the response broncovet. In regards to working, I am currently employed. However, with great difficulty. I’m on my 3rd job in 4 years. I often have to leave early, due to anxiety as well as anxiety on my way into work. I just started my current job and am yet to have any disciplinary actions. I’m sure they’re coming though! I did submit a letter from my previous employer. He stated my issues with anger, memory, defiance and being confrontational. I don’t know much about TDIU. I was under the impression you have to be unemployed, which like most of us, I cannot afford to be. Is this something I can apply for while employed? heres a snippet from the Psychologist findings: ”Though employed, veteran described significant difficulties in regard to social interactions in the work place, and his former employer wrote a not documenting that veteran was easily angered, defiant and demonstrated deficits in focus and memory. Prognosis for substantial improvement of psychiatric symptoms and functional status is poor”

Long time reader, first time poster. I was recently granted an increase, from 30% to 70% for PTSD. So that’s good news. Now, the condition the VA put in the disabilities is “posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol use disorder and tobacco use disorder”. My question is, shouldn’t the alcohol and tobacco be rated secondaries? Should I file a NOD for it? The VA Dr. wrote the DBQ up as “secondary to ptsd”. thanks!