Foxhound6

I don't mean to laugh, I just have some familiarity with this type of issue. My rickety knees and combined with my twisted back problems makes for going up or down stairs fun, sometimes randomly just catches up. I'm still only 34, my mind thinks its still play time I guess.

I think its mental mostly. I couldn't fathom not working, even with how bad I felt and how much I struggled. I just felt " well gotta work harder then" (Also the sole provider for family). Wasnt until I lost job around covid time (boss and owner was pretty accommodating with my SC issues while I was employed there, even submitted the employer info form the VA sends out for TDIU claims) and I actually stopped working and felt everything catching up, I slept a LOT the first 2 months. It was very strange. I figured im not working so might as well get into the docs and start getting things handled. Docs started finding crap I never even knew about haha. So, here I am, trying to get all the SSDI and VA hoopla done..

Perspective almost ALWAYS makes one better at a job. Keep it up sir. Your insight is invaluable

Yeah there's no way I could do working outside home anymore. Even sitting at home has its problems. I'm going thru SSDI right now too. Actually should hear something this month I think. Hopefully judge approves that, VA finally gives me my 100 rating and any retro and I'll be set. From there, any other claims or increases will be handled by a VA attorney lol Cuz after all this and once I'm stable, I'm done with em lmao

This would be great. Get the retro AND schedule so you could work. That's a big win-win

Yeah. I'd likely do that if needed for sure! Good to know it may work out how I wanted anyway tho. Thanks for the replies!

This makes tons of sense. I hope that's how it plays out! And exactly, if for some odd reason I'm not back paid to that tdiu eed, I could still make income and not worry about it. Decent trade off if needed

But you're right. It's much harder. Which is why I've been trying TDIU the last year lol. VA doesn't like to make it easy at any stage . I just happened to see the opportunity to at least get 100 and stable so going for it. Even if I lose tdiu retro...it'd be worth it. Rather have retro too but beggars can't be choosers

I've done the math, with bilateral factor and 30%, I'd get 100 combined. Currently at an even 90

Yeah, I was kinda thinking this. However, TDIU has been denied twice now. My guess would be I'll likely get 100 off of this regular claim that will be put in soon. I know they'd owe me back pay for tdiu if that were awarded but I don't think it's get any smc as @broncovetmentioned. I would hope they would just award the TDIU once they see that I'm about to qualify for 100 anyway?? Such a strange process lol I'll have to see how it plays out I guess.

So, have been appealing TDIU claim and unsure as to why they keep denying (waiting to see on BBE) but I am about to file an almost sure thing secondary claim for my other knee. Based on my ROMS and things, it seems I should receive at least 30% if not higher. Between that rating and bilateral factor, that would put me at 100% schedular. The thing I am wondering is: If I get the 100% schedular, does that now make my TDIU claim moot? It has been about a year since I started the TDIU claim so I would hate to lose back pay. But, I am unsure how this would work? Any one have this scenario before? I feel like its still a separate claim.

Yeah, right?? I thought the same. However, I was originally denied direct SC on neck before and I got a new CP because that examiner, whilst opining against my event I claimed may have caused it, he never offered an opinion as to the secondary nature as it related to my knee. So, I guess it could be that my attorney will also catch the infantry piece and appeal it for direct SC? Lol its confusing for sure but I'm glad there's an attorney looking at it as well..

Got my BBE. I kinda wish it was an in person because the reasoning for denial on this one is even more confusing than ones I have gotten before??? It one sentence it sounds like they are saying it likely was a direct connection while in another sentence they say it was not due to anything but "normal wear" due to my knee injury?? I'm not fully sure but if this was the alleged HLR rater, I would stay clear of HLRs in future...have a look for yourself 4.28 denial_Redacted.pdf

It took the examiner almost a month to complete mine. From the looks of it, I got denied. Still waiting on a BBE though.

@broncovetI will for sure do that. I believe since these were being reviewed under HLR that once the normal process of the claim is completed (sent back for new exams, processing, etc), it will go back up to the HLR for the rest of it. So it may be a bit before I actually figure out whats going on but I feel like it is headed that direction. I will look more into the presumptive rules and anything else that may apply. The exams I will have to request from my attorney since requesting another copy of Cfile would likely take a year or more. Thanks for all the replies and info.