e.greeley

One doctor is a psychiatrist and the other appointment is for radiology. (I guess my messed up left ankle.) Is there an outline that the docs go by? You mentioned scars, i have severe psoriasis (over 70% of my body, including my scalp). It is very obvious, and I can FEEL when people are looking at it. My MDD probably does not help my state of mind either. A cashier at Big Lots said to me yesterday, "oh you have psoriasis! wow! you sure have it bad." then she showed me a small plague on her left wrist and said "see, i have it too." at that moment i was not thinking about how i looked, i was enjoying my trip to the store. I know she meant no harm, but it embarassed me and obviously still bothers me. is the fact that my skin condition is so unsightly and uncomfortable, it could preclude me from working in addition to my major depressive disorder? i dont know.

Well, I assumed that it was primarily my major depressive disorder that kept me from working. I was diagnosed (while on Active Duty) and have been treated for nearly 15 years now. I do not have a good working history since the Army, and I didn't finish my Vocational Rehab benefits. I fell into another black hole. thank you for wishing me luck. i think i have an excellent claim, but with the appointment approaching. I am getting anxious.

thanks, simple fly. my ability to decode acronyms is failing me. that makes sense, RAO for the left ankle and PM for the psych eval.

hello everyone, my appointment is for this friday at 3:00pm at RAO Clinic, and 5:00pm PM Clinic. What is RAO? radiology? What is PM? I receive 90% now, applied for TDIU about six months ago. I am nervous about it. What will they ask me? Does everything hang on this one Exam? Why is there no appointment for psychiatry? (my largest claim at 70%). Any help or soothing words would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Beth

Pete, that picture makes me want to make funny faces and talk crazy to Liam until he smiles at me! sounds like your dog is a good one, he seems to be moving in the right direction. retrievers can be excitable, but since he obviously is getting good training, he should be an excellent dog. (being beautiful doesn't hurt either. my c&p's were never an hour long. the first one was maybe 15 minutes, (it was more like a med check), and the one for an increase (30 to 70 percent for MDD) could have been 20 minutes. i am concerned about the next one, i have applied for TDIU so the appointment could be coming soon. i do not have anyone to go with me. i am afraid i will not do it "right".

t-bird, this is something i can do pretty well. can i get a volunteer who can read over the attached document for accuracy? The subject is Eligibility and Entitlement it's not near done, but some input now would be good. (you are just saying grammatically, spelling?) be back later beth

Maurice, you asked, i drive 36 miles to the detroit VAMC (one way). i got a routing slip from the receptionist at optometry. (where my appointment was) took it down to travel, and that's when they told me i would not get the $7.26 i usually get, but $1.26 because of this new deductible. i cannot get even a half gallon of gas with that money, i felt like i had been slapped. since it is the end of the month, i have NO money! gathered together all returnables, and my $1.26, and got two dollars worth of gas. damn, i was sick with worry about making it home on gas fumes and my head hurt so bad, i was near tears. wings, i see that you posted all the relevant stuff. i will try to read it more closely. why am i being charged to defray the cost of veteran's transportation, when I am the transportation?!?! my county veterans office has a van, but they cannot 'guarantee' i will make any morning appointments, and the guy leaves the VA hospital at 1500 hrs, so any afternoon appointments worry me too. (making the ride back). sorry just venting, i know this is not YOUR idea! on another note, my DAV rep has his office in the VAMC. i sat outside his office from 11:am to 1530 just to get a chance to talk to him about filing for TDIU. he told me he had to leave, i could not make an appointment, and i have to be outside his office at 0600 - 0630 and expect to wait all day. i am tired and feel hopeless.

skinny, you said, "I was in an Army Intel/CIA unit when I was in Korea in the 1960's and need help getting my records. Anybody got a suggestion as to how to get the CIA to kick loose with that I need to get the claim through?" thank you for your service skinny. i am NO expert, but i think you can request your information through the Freedom of Information Act. i think one of the moderators could help more. hmmm, how about requesting medical records from the doctors or hospital that treated you at the time? just throwing things out there. good luck to you.

<_< hey pete, when i read my first c&p exam, i was floored. the ONLY reason i showered and put on clean clothes was because i was going to see the doctor! he did not ask about my normal (or lack of) personal hygiene. he noted that i was groomed and wearing clean clothes that day. he did not note my suicidal or homicidal ideations or my way of downplaying how badly my depressive disorder was affecting my life. apparently, being polite to the doctor means i am not that ill. the next c&p, i was sure to bring it all out. amazing how there is only a few questions and a few minutes with a doctor who does not know me, and how it can affect my rating. where were the records from the VA hospital, the same VA hospital that I had my C&P? fortunately, the last doctor gave me a GAF less than 50, and that brought up my MDD from 30% to 70%. well, i guess i am agreeing with you, and i hope anyone reading this realizes how important the few minutes you have with the c&p doctor will make a lasting impression. Cannot be stressed enough how you dress how you act your grooming and even innocent how are you today questions are critical. There is more or less a trick to everything that they ask you. I can pretty much tell you that by todays politically correct standards anyone over 30 was an abused child even if our parents and family loved us. So when I am asked how my childhood was I always have the same answer the same more or less than most good parents and lots of friends. I was penalized for years cause I wore a leather jacket to my first C&P did they note this? does a leather jacket make you a "rebel"? wow!

Rockhound, you said "I need IMO's on everything, so on Wednesday I am going to Adult Mental Health Services, A State run Clinic at our local State Mental Hospital and see if I can afford their sliding scale ability to pay fee and maybe get to see a psychiatrist who can and is willing to help me with an IMO." I had an appointment today with VA clinic with a APRN, BC to renew my medications. After getting spanked for missing appointments and not seeing a doctor, I did not feel comfortable asking her for help with my TDIU. I talked to her over the TV too, okay for renewing meds, but sort of a loss of the personal touch. The DO at the clinic said (under her breath) I had a good case for unemployablity. Should I ask her to write an IMO? I am so afraid of making the wrong choice that I make no choice.......sigh MDD is wearing me out. "Sorry rambling agsin, the thoughts just poor out and I got to say them." yeah, me too. i wanted to say that was a good idea to go to the state mental hospital to get an IMO, I think I will try the state and the county. i just need to make an appointment with the college interns nearby (they help vets for no fee!!) to get some help. e.greeley

UDMLaw said "Since you're in the area, have you heard of the Veterans Law Clinic at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law? If you would like some assistance with any part of your claims process, the clinic is a wonderful resource to take advantage of." If you would like more info, please let me know! Yes, I certainly would like more info! <ahem> is it no-cost or low-cost? i could use some help with social security too. it seems like an overwhelming task right now, but i also cannot afford to wait any longer! thank you..

my fso just said that my last employer must put my mental illness as the reason i was fired? I have the VA form 21-4192 (Request for Employment Information in Connection with Claim for Disability Payments) and in box 13A. it says "If veteran is not working, state reason for termination of employment. If retired on disability, please specify." should my ex-employer put symptons of MDD? unreliable, inablity to focus or complete tasks? i mean, i don't think my manager would say "in my professional opinion, (as a leasing manager for apartment complex) she was fired because she could not keep up due to her mental illness" any ideas for helpful phrases would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you john999, you said, "If you are not working due to the SC disability just file out the TDIU form and turn it into the VA. That really starts the formal process and they have to adjudicate it. If you are 90% and unable to work it should not be all that hard to win TDIU." I just talked to my VA FSO, I will go down there next week and cool my heels outside his office for awhile. I have an appointment for Monday am to "see" (over the television) my mental health doctor about my mdd. my primary care physician is scheduling a mammogram, eye appointment and dermatology. when i fill out the form, do i just choose the MDD as the service connected disability that prevents me from securing substantially gainful employment? my fso just said that my last employer must put my mental illness as the reason i was fired? well, no need to borrow trouble, i think my last employer/manager will help me if she can. i will get in touch with her by end of business tomorrow.

hey cowgirl, you said, :P Sorry 'bout your VSO, ya want me to give 'em a talk? Ok, enough joking. :P I'll watch the door while you "talk" to them! LOL Meanwhile, do you have your current Cfile and current diagnosis? I do not have my current CFile, I assumed my VSO had a copy because he had me sign the request for my records when he became my POA for my increase. How long does a POA last? A diagnosis statement that states you are unable to work? Any SSA or other records showing unemployment? I have requested my social security records, and should receive them any day now. they will reflect the fact i have worked only one year in the past five years. My decision letter from the VA only states in reference to work that "occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood.......difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances...and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships" If you are in dire straights, I believe there is a way the VA should be able to expedite your claim, dont recall just now. This would be fantastic! shared courtesies count as in any office, VA or SSA. Probably best not take anything personal, as long as you can get the facts you need, eh? Oh, i do understand you. I am very depressed right now, so a little paranoia is part of it. Usually, once I get there, I can charm people. I guess I didnt want to walk in the VARO with my claim and have someone say "why are you here? go back to your VSO!" seasoned Vets should be coming and going quite often during business hours. So, why not try to find a freindly vet face if you can, This is a good idea! of course, since it is downtown detroit, i guess i should be flying a flag of some kind to identify myself as a vet and not a streetwalker? (this is hilarious to me, i don't think anyone could mistake me for a pro!) If they did, it would be because they needed immediate mental evaluation!! Does every DAV post have a service officer? there are other posts around here because it is a big urban/suburban area. I will check it out. thank you cowgirl for your ideas.

hello all, i need help. i think i have an excellent claim for TDIU. My stats should be on my profile and signature. i wanted to send what i had to my service officer for the DAV at the Detroit VAMC. I have been unable to reach him. no answer and no way to leave a message. the Detroit Regional Office is just a few blocks from the the VA hospital downtown. how do i start the process to claim TDIU? should i take all info to the RO in Detroit? (btw, the woman who answered at the detroit varo seemed rude, abrupt and a little condescending) i will drive down there if necessary, i know sometimes it is helpful for a face to face. i just don't want to cause problems for myself either. sigh... i would appreciate any and all advise on this. thank you

pete53 said "Deferred for further development" is not all that bad." yes, i was trying to see it as a good sign, that, and the fact that there was no one year time limit letter with the decision (like i have read about here). You could call the VAMC 800 Number and ask the Operator to talk to the DAV not the guys number if there is an office. thank you i will try that number. there was no answer at the regional office, but also no way to leave a message. i could not find a way to email anyone either. i think i will try that iris thing next.

cowgirl, i missed this the first time i replied "simply a statement 'tdiu deferred for claim development'" that is exactly what my decision letter says! they also included a form for vocational rehab, but i have already tried that. sadly, i was unable to maintain good attendance or grades. i will try to reach the detroit regional office (which is not too far from the hospital) and get some help.

still no answer at the DAV office in the Detroit VAMC. Damn, I don't want to be sending my paperwork there if he doesn't work there anymore. well, i guess i better get started on my own. i do have an appointment at the pontiac clinic on wednesday, so that is a step in the right direction. if i have to hand-carry my stuff down there i will. i was hoping to avoid the drive down there. sad, but i used to love to drive. :P

cowgirl said, My initial thoughts are, please do contact your DAV VSO or VARO office asap to get an understanding of what the VA is trying to say with 'claim development'. I just forced myself to call my DAV Field Service Officer, there was no answer, voicemail or message service. It is also just after 12 pm, and if I remember correctly, he turns everything off during lunch. He has an office in the VAMC, so I hope to reach him after one pm. During lunch I plan to find another number for somebody though. :P I will read more on TDIU in CFR38 and get focused here. I have been having a foggy fuzzy time with my depression, but these things must be done. Luckily, there was no VCAA, (i checked the references and enclosures with my letter) so the one year time limit is not an issue. My field service officer was the one who got the increase in my percentages. He probably did say something about what to do next, but I don't remember what he said. I guess I felt like I didn't deserve "unemployability", I have gotten over that, like I had to get over being diagnosed with a major depressive disorder. My kids certainly deserve all the help they can get. thank you for that first step, i will start a letter to my FSO. it will be masterpiece of cogency and focus! After all, it's not like I have a job to get to! LOL

SSGMike.Ivy said "curious on the obtaining of 60% Psoriasis disability rating." My decision letter says "An evaluation of 60 percent is granted for evidence showing more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of the exposed areas affected, or; constant or near constant systemic therapy corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs required during the past 12 month period." The 60% rating was given because the next step up is 80% (which includes tissue loss). I have been treated for Psoriasis for the last few years, no one in my family has ever had it. I use creams/lotions and get phototherapy weekly by the VA. Not in my family either. It really sucks with all the dry heat in my apartment, I use all the lotion I am prescribed and I am out of it now. Sounds like if you have been getting treated by the VA with corticosteroids and light therapy, you qualify for 60% too. I am NOT an expert though, and I guess it depends on the doctor doing the evaluation. do you get relief with light therapy? e.greeley

Berta asked "have you formally applied for TDIU yourself?" I have printed out the form from the internet. my last decision rating letter says after my increased percentages "6. Entitlement to individual unemployability. The issue of whether or not the veteran is entitled to Individual Unemployability is deferred for the following: claim development." Your profile says you are 100%- That is my mistake, I added a signature without changing the profile. I receive 90% with the VA math. I will change the profile.. B) There are also two other issues, osteoarthritis, right knee deferred, clarification of your VA examination, arthritis left knee is deferred: claim development. If a medical doctor states that your SC disabilities prevent you from attaining and retaining substantial employment- that will help get TDIU- Will my doctor at the satellite VA clinic do this? Does 70% for MDD actually prevent me from attaining and retaining substantial employment? My work history over the past ten years will prove (social security earnings statement i requested) that i have not worked for a long time. My primary care doctor is at the Pontiac VA Clinic, a satellite office of the Detroit VAMC. I have to go there for psoriasis treatment, but I go to primary care doc to get referral first. Yes, I have to use creams and lotion, the psoriasis is over 60 percent of my body surface. Yes the lotions do mess up my clothes, and my clothing is limited to what doesn't rub, scratch, itch my skin. I had no idea about the clothing allowance. I will check that out immediately. My question has now been fine tuned. Is the combination of 70 plus 60 plus 20 or 90% in VA math a good claim for unemployability? Do I need to develop my claim any further, and if I do, should I see the VA psychiatrist first and ask about the unemployability statement? should I just fill out the 21-8940 and send it to my DAV rep? I worked one place in the last five years and I can ask the manager if she will fill out the employers form for me. Please give me a push, I am stuck in "indecisive land" - a special part of my depressive disorder. B) Thank you so much for your help so far.

Hello All, I am confused about my claim for TDIU. Does my claim meet the criteria for TDIU? (service connected disabilities listed below) Does the 70% major depressive disorder, my VA treatment records and about 2 years of work out of 10 years prove my inability to secure a gainful occupation? Can I use this same evidence to get social security? I have read so much about both subjects but my anxiety just goes up and I lose focus. Does anyone have advice? Can I reach my service officer by email? would this be considered too intrusive? I hate the phone ringing (jump out of my skin) and driving down there seems very difficult if not insurmountable. I am taking my Prozac, (prescribed by the VAMC) but I am not doing well. Thanks for your help.

Fantastic betrayedvet! B) Wow, after getting 330% - does this matter if you are permanent and total? i guess i am making this more difficult than it is. Santa, was late, but on time in a way, too! LOL

Spike, you asked, Can someone answer me this though. I can not understand her way of thinking. She has called CPS on me and had it dropped. Harrassment charges and they were dropped. Order of Protection and that was dropped. She has had a open divorce filed since October 15. She hasn't served me yet (doing it the NYS poormans way) and I don't get it. Why in he double hockey sticks don't you serve me? She is living with another man. She has, oh forgot to say lost all of her significant people in her family support. What is going on? I just don't get it. I don't have the answer Spike, but I can share a little experience with you. B) My ex-husband abused crack and alcohol, but I believe he was trying to relieve a severe case of PTSD from his childhood. My feeling is your wife is very ill, and she is sooooo ill, she is using the only ammunition she has to keep your attention. If she knows you at all, she could be very well holding onto the divorce papers because she knows you are waiting on service (and sadly, in this way she is still on your mind). I have been thru the same war with different tactics. He told his family terrible lies about me, leaving me with no support, because I had no family in the area. My children were then subjected to his haranguing them on visits and telling them what an awful woman, wife and mother I was. Believe me when I say it took me a long time to "let go"!! My depression, my upbringing and my personality did not want to give up on this man. I finally asked myself "What would it be like without worrying about his fidelity or sobriety?" When the answer was a deep sob of relief, I knew I was done. Do what you can for the kids and find some support for you! It is painful to let go of that responsibility, but freedom is yours. Please think about it. Focus on your life, you and the kids certainly deserve your full attention on that.