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i dont know the ssdi stuff but you are being represented by one or two veteran groups so thats a great start in itself. ask to be evaluated for everything and see what they give you. I was told once by a c and p officer at a VA hospital that you can write on a napkin that you would like to be evaluated for compensation for service connected disabilties and send that in to the va and they have to respond. thank you for your service sir. good luck. stay positive

Does anybody know the step of the claims ? ? Has it been rated yet if they are doing already Compenstion, and whats after Compensation what's next? Thanks to all that have provided info and help for me When or how long until I get rating and when do they start benefits for payments ? How does all that work. Bless All Recon Ron

i'm at 90% and two of my last employers will not respond to va forms requesting info on work records. one is out of business to my knowledge. will this hurt my chances of being granted tdiu? is our rating decision being based on whether or not my past employers respond? ( both of whom I am not in good standing anyway). also in support of my claim, a VA mental health social worker that i have known for years typed up a letter on va letterhead supporting my claim. i wonder if this will help. any insight is appreciated. thank you all

I am overall 100% but only compensable 70% for physical disabilities. Recently as advised by my VA rep I had put in for a PTSD claim. My VA mental health therapist who I see every 2 weeks says I have it and my c and p doctor rated me at a gaf 45 and his exact words were that i am unable to work due to military service. I'm on meds for ptsd and have not worked in over 3 years and before that never worked for one continous year. I suffered a severe head injury and have never felt "right" since. It has been about 8 months since I was denied tdiu so i'm still within my window for appeal if need be. I did things backards and filed for tdiu last year before my c and p exam for ptsd. My VA rep says I should get the 100% without a doubt given my rate on physical disabilities and what the doc said along with my therapist treatment and meds. I wonder if they will, if it goes in my favor, automatically give me tdiu or actually make me appeal it. Again after all their c and p doc for ptsd said I was unemployable ....Any advice, comments and or positive reinforcement is welcome. God bless and thank you for serving

thanks. should I go with the dro officer first and see happens? If it's not favorable to me then consult them? I'm not sure what to do first

Ok thanks. Do you reccommend any legal representation? What kind of a time-line am I looking at before I submit my decision to elect the DRO the va, before any meeting(s) with them? Also all of my medical records are with the va, do you reccomend I consult outside physicians for their opinions? And I know this wont happen but still even after 13 years of service connected rating, I still have negative thoughts of one day sitting down with, or receiving word of reducing my rating based on one guys opinion or personal judgement. I don't figure at this point that would ever be the case because I've gone through multiple c and p appointments with numerous increases through the years but am I the only one to sweat this? After all it is the government were talking about.

Ok thanks. Do you reccommend any legal representation? What kind of a time-line am I looking at before I submit my decision to elect the DRO the va, before any meeting(s) with them? Also all of my medical records are with the va, do you reccomend I consult outside physicians for their opinions? And I know this wont happen but still even after 13 years of service connected rating, I still have negative thoughts of one day sitting down with, or receiving word of reducing my rating based on one guys opinion or personal judgement. I don't figure at this point that would ever be the case because I've gone through multiple c and p appointments with numerous increases through the years but am I the only one to sweat this? After all it is the government were talking about.

Ok thanks. Do you reccommend any legal representation? What kind of a time-line am I looking at before I submit my decision to elect the DRO the va, before any meeting(s) with them? Also all of my medical records are with the va, do you reccomend I consult outside physicians for their opinions? And I know this wont happen but still even after 13 years of service connected rating, I still have negative thoughts of one day sitting down with, or receiving word of reducing my rating based on one guys opinion or personal judgement. I don't figure at this point that would ever be the case because I've gone through multiple c and p appointments with numerous increases through the years but am I the only one to sweat this? After all it is the government were talking about.

I've been service connected since '96 and as some of us know that with every decision letter that the va returns to us, they state that a higher evaluation is warranted if certain evidence is present. Based on the VA's own criteria for higher evaluation because I have these issues present, I am now in a appeals process and have been offered to elect an decision review officer or continue the traditional process. I have been advised by a veteran help organization to elect the DRO, but was looking for more advice. Can anyone offer any insight? thanks and thank you for serving