Commander Bob

'Armyvet1987' indicated that one day he wanted to go back to work. 'Armyvet1987' also posts "If I get better I do not want to be just sitting around sucking money off the government for the rest of my life, I want to get a job if I can one day. Thanks!" IU & SSDI is like a ball and chain around one's neck in a way. Even when you try to go out in the workforce to better your quality of life , feel productive & provide for your family, get taken off IU & SSDI, and because of your disability, come to the realization that you are truly too disabled to work, You have to go back thru the bureaucratic gauntlet once again.... It could cost you years of poverty just to get the benefits back. Tough call for a young person...

Right. Just wanted to rule PTSD out. FYI...When you quoted me, I had posted a link to a study that has since changed(http://www.sdm.buffa...10308_ptsd.html.... Though this does not apply to you 'bakerkd', anyone looking for a link between TMJ, or teeth problems and PTSD, I have edited my "Commander Bob Posted Today, 08:04 AM", to reflect a new link... http://www.spiritofcaring.com/public/213.cfm?sd=37 Good luck with your issues,'bakerkd'. I hope you find the answers you seek.

Sorry to hear about your TMJ & related problems,'bakerkd'. Have you had any PTSD experiences? http://www.spiritofcaring.com/public/213.cfm?sd=37

Well put, 'bakerkd'.

Thanks for the info, 'bakerkd'. So you are suggesting that 'Charleese' disputes the "The clinical records from the VA clearly stating that Mr. XXXX developed parotitis after visiting his brother in Virginia who had mumps." and connect the dots with additional evidence that proves the condition is service related?

I prefer to go to my VARO and try to get a "Date-time-stamp" copy for my supportive docs & letters. If it's too far, or too much of a hassle, then I would at least send all correspondence to VARO certified return receipt requested, with tracking.. Unfortunately the VA has been known to make documents disappear... Best wishes, Cmdr. Bob

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/rates/comp03.htm

Are there any other reasons for the ED that would be due to military service, or VA meds, or VA malpractice?

jmho... no.

I just went through one yesterday,'rydastar'. I didn't have to take a computer exam, just a "novice examiner" asking a series of required questions. All most felt like an assembly line. Good luck. Being a bit apprehensive is normal. My most positive thoughts are with you for a successful outcome. Cmdr.Bob

Outstanding 'JHawks'. Congratulations. What's up with the effective date of 10/1/2011? Typo?? C.B.

no...

TITLE 38--PENSIONS, BONUSES, AND VETERANS' RELIEF CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PART 4--SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES Subpart B--Disability Ratings 4.129 Mental disorders due to traumatic stress. General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders: Total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms as: gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name............. 100% Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting); inability to establish and maintain effective relationships............... 70% Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment of short- and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learned material, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; impaired abstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships....... 50% Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, recent events)...................................... 30% Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or; symptoms controlled by continuous medication............ 10% A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication................... 0%

Good luck & Best wishes for a successful claim,'Draggin' . cb

Thanks guys. Back in the 60s, "Back in the day", if you drew tdiu and voc rehab you would wind up with an "overpayment", and not see a dime till it was paid back... deducted from you SC comp. Learn something new every day..

Excellent idea, 'atlaturne'. Good luck on the date, time stamp... A year or two ago, I went to a VARO to get a date, time stamp, I was told they couldn't do it because the machine was taken away. I had to be persistent about getting my statement stamped. I even had to call the VAOIG and lodge a complaint. This was at the height of "ShredderGate". I eventually had a supervisor go in the back and get it date, time stamped. I hope this issue has been properly addressed by now. Don't take no for an answer. Please let us know how it goes. Good Luck, Cmdr. Bob

Thanks for the clarification,'broncovet'. Sometimes it's difficult to follow some of our member's posts. Charlese mentions the VSO phone conversation and VSO letter stating TDIU, not the official VA TDIU notice, only the VA "Reasons for Decision on the range of motion for his Cervical Spine condition if as secondary to his left knee injury". C.B

Yes... If you are able, you will make many times over $, the stipend you would receive on TDIU. Quality of life and living up to one's potential, if possible, would be better, if you can... Good Luck, Cmdr.Bob

Good morning 'Charleese'. Did the VA decision letter include TDIU?

Were you a full time student 09,'Draggin'???

The Equal Access to Justice Act.

Excellent idea 'autumn'. You are your best advocate. Especially with a little help from your friends... Good Luck, Cmdr. Bob

I'm with you 'Philip Rogers'. However it begs the question, when did Draggin' become unable to work? Was Draggin' working in May 2009? Because TDIU was not considered in 09... How long has Draggin' been unemployed?

Glad to hear that you got your oxygen equipment squared away, 'Testvet'. My most positive thoughts are with you. Bob

appeal, appeal, appeal...