Penelope

Thank you all for your helpful responses. I requested Voc Rehab today. Not sure how long it takes to hear from them. I don't think I be considered eligible for aid and attendance because I have Post Vietnam era service. I am going through my papers and am making an appointment with a VSO to see what they think about the claim. Hoping to talk to someone about it on Wednesday. It will be a slow process. I do have a letter from my doctor stating that I am permanent and total in his opinion, but he did not mention the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, so I will see if he will amend that. It will be a slow process for me and I appreciate your help and encouragement. Thank you all.

Thank you so much for your comments. I will admit to being my own worst enemy at times. The schedular rating for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome states that the symptoms are nearly constant and sometimes precludes self-care. In my case, I have always been able to take care of myself, sometimes not the best, but I don't require outside help. My husband and my son and I manage to keep the house going and get things done. That is why I don't think I qualify for a schedular 100%. The rating for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome jumps from 60% to 100%. Do you file P & T as well as TDIU or should I file P & T alone? Is there a VA definition of self-care? Again, thank you for your thoughts.

I retired from the Post Office 4 years ago due to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It was a regular retirement. I left on my doctor's advice because I could not do the job and the stress was making my CFS worse. I filed for SSDI and that was granted for CFS, as well as other issues. Since that time, My rating of 60% disabled for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has been in effect for more than 20 years and I am 63 years old. I think I should file for Permanent & Total and or TDIU, but am hesitant on doing so. I tried to write up the paper work today, but it is so difficult to relive that time in my life. I should also add that my VA doctor has written up letters over the 20 years with the same restrictions the entire time and stated that my disability and these restrictions were permanent and no endpoint was defined. I was accommodated in my position until about 2007. At that time, things changed and they no longer wished to accommodate me, as well as others. They didn't want anyone there that had any type of restriction. After more than 17 years in a bid and being accommodated for that long, the bid was abolished and it took more than 3 years to get a bid and an accomodation. In that accomodation, I was told it was an accommodation of last resort and could be changed at any time. They also abolished the occupational code, so I took a bid that I thought I had a chance that I could do. It turned out that I was unable to do the bid and realized that I would have to start the whole process over again to find a job I could do and get accommodated. That is why I retired. I feel paralyzed and am not sure if filing this is the right thing to do or if I should just keep the 60% and let the rest lie. I cannot risk my 60% rating. My Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and restrictions are what lead to my retirement. SSDI decision addressed the fact that I can no longer even do sedentary work. The stress of even thinking about and following through on another VA claim is taking its toll. I think that is why I have waffled on making this decision. Your thoughts are appreciated. Thanks for your time.

I called SS office and they told me to walk in and ask for a copy. They only give it out on CD. If it is for your personal use, there is no charge. It was very odd, though because when I first talked to the guy there he told me that there was a "procedure" to be followed and a charge. I asked what the charge was. He said about $35. At this point I said fine and asked the procedure since I was told I could just walk in and get it. Lo and Behold he did some checking and I wasn't charged. I think the charge had something to do with if you had a lawyer and were getting it for them. In the end, they were relatively quick and there was no charge.

I just received my copy of my Social Security Disability Claim File. It is on CD. How do you submit that to VA? Do you submit a copy of it on a disc? What about the CD from VA Medical Records. Are they acceptable on CD or do you have to print it all out? It seems to me that a CD copy is the way to go, but don't know if that is acceptable. Thanks for your time.

Gaston -- Thank you for posting. I never thought about Voc. Rehab. The Social Security has already been approved. Am I correct that they mean earned income and not unearned income like social security, va benefits or retirement income? Thanks for giving me more to think about.

Thank you all for your posts. You have given me a lot to think about. I think the letter will have to be rewritten. That being said, my doctor's opinion was accepted in my original claim 20 years ago and I have stayed under his care and the care of my VA doctor. The VA doctor has retired, but I have copies of my medical file and all the letters he has written for me over the years for a reduced work schedule. This is a work in progress and I appreciate your guidance along the way. Thank you so much for being here for me.

SSDI is based on the Service Connected condition, but also conditions that are secondary. For example it states Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (which is what I am service connected for), Epstein Barr (the elevated titers level for Epstein Barr is considered a test for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), Sleep Apnea (sleep disturbances related to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), and allergies. Everything relates back to CFS. I don't think the decision is going to hurt me by including it. Is there any specific wording that I should have my doctor address. If there is, I will ask him to rewrite his letter. Thanks.

I am working on putting together my TDIU claim. My problem is what to include in the claim. Some of the documentation that I have seems unnecessary. I have a letter from my doctor saying that due specifically to my medical condition (service connected at 60%) I can no longer perform or maintain full time or gainful employment. I have the paperwork from my last employer showing my last date worked. I have copies of my VA claim file, SSDI file, VA medical file and am getting my medical file from the family physician. What I am not sure is needed are numerous letters from my VA physician saying that this condition is permanent and all the documents supporting the difficulties at work since the 1990's related to this condition and work restrictions. Other than the statement saying that its permanent. None of it mattered as long as I was working and didn't qualify for TDIU. I think what matters now is the fact that I am no longer working due to the condition. How do you decide what to include and what not to include? Thanks for your time.

Paul -- Thank you for your response. I think the reason that they only awarded the 60% was that I was working and I was being accommodated at my job. I will begin working with the claim file that I have and will request updated medical copies. I will wait until my rating is protected before filing this new claim. Thank you again.

I need to request copies of my claim file. I did that in 2009. The only changes at all should be when I applied for an increase in benefit when my son started college and was still considered a dependent and full time student. I am not planning to file for TDIU until the end of this year. Should I request another full copy of my file, or will the old copy do? Should I wait until closer to the end of the year when I am tell them that I am going to submit the claim? Also, do they send electronic files now or are they still all paper files? What is the time frame to get a copy of the file? I need to do the same with my medical file. My VA doctor that has helped me so much over the years retired in 2013. The new doctor I will only see every six months and have switched most of my care to my family doctor. Should I request a copy of that claim file now or wait until closer to the end of the year. If these files are not electronic files and I scan them and burn them to cd's will they still be acceptable or will they request these same files over again? I understand that the Social Security Disability files come in electronic format. Are they acceptable? Thank you for your help and insight. It is appreciated.

If you got a written decision, it should be in there. My understanding, as limited as it is, is that you need to get a copy of your SSDI file and send it along with the application form. It should be in there. I am sorry I can't be of more help. I am just trying to figure out how to go about all this myself. I am sure there are experienced people on here that can provide more information than I can.. Good luck to you.

It should be written up in the decision. I think it also depends on whether you had to have a hearing or not. I had a hearing. The first part told of my medical problems. In the judges decision he listed them again and his reasons. Hope this helps.

Paul -- Thank you very much for your thoughts. I am going to wait to file until 2015. I am gathering my support evidence at this time. I will see a mental health professional and will have my personal doctor write a letter on my behalf. My family doctor is the one that helped me obtain my original service connection and he is the one that recommended that I stop working. He knows me best and I think its important to submit what he says. I have all the documentation from work gathered (accommodations and letters back and forth where they don't want to accommodate me anymore). I have all the pay stubs which show the amount of time off of work that I missed. I don't think a letter from them is going to be possible because once you leave federal employment they don't keep your files there. Like VA, most don't want to write letters or get involved. I have to request copies of my claim file, my medical files, and my ssdi file. I am sure that will take a while. Plenty to do for the rest of the year. Also, I want to see about finding a lawyer to do this. It took me almost 8 years to get my service connection and the appropriate award. I know this is going to be a fight and I am not really looking forward to it. Thanks again for your comments.

John, Thank you for replying. My 60% will be protected in November 2014. Thank you for answering. I think these other conditions may also be associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but have to check on it. I think I will have to get a written evaluation report from a Doctor related to the Chronic Fatigue. If you have a suggestion on docs in the Tampa area, I would appreciate it. I have a while to work on this. Thanks.

I received a favorable decision from SSDI. It mentions Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Epstein Barr Virus. It also included Sleep Apnea and Obesity as issues. It also mentions age and that I am close to retirement. Independent Vocational Expert said I had no transferrable skills. No jobs exist in significant numbers that I can perform. Will this decision from SSDI help me or hurt me in obtaining a favorable claim for Unemployability and Permanent and Total. I have the 60% rating and my VA doctor has written that the condition is permanent. Not sure how to start this battle and what I need to put up the best fight. Thanks for your help.

I believe it is considered emotional rather than physical. However, it does have symptoms that are both physical and emotional. Any direction you can give me is appreciated. I have been going through my papers and am amazed at the amount of info that I have. I found documentation from my VA doctor that says it is permanent, for one thing. Thanks again for your help.

Thank you, John. Is there a vocational or occupational person you can recommend in our area to contact for an evaluation? Thanks again for your help.

I down-loaded VA Form 21-8940 last night to look at it and am wondering what VA's definition of full-time employment is. I had my job for a long time and was hired as a full time employee, but my VA doctor and reduced my work schedule from 40 to 32 hours. I think I would use that date as the date my disability affected my full time employment. Also, is there a particular form to use to request Permanent and Total? Thanks for your help.

Carlie -- I would appreciate it if you would get a card for me. I had saved the article, but can't find it right now. I think I am just going to research until I feel comfortable and then file in 2015 and see what happens. Thank you for responding to my post for help.

John -- I retired from the Post Office 2 years ago. They had been accommodating me for a long time, but things were changing. The stress of fighting with them, the fact that my medical issues were getting worse and the doctor told me I had to stop so since I had my 30 years in, I called it a day. I was originally diagnosed in 1979 and didn't know anything about VA or the VA claims until 1988. It took me a long time to have that claim approved. The fact that that was finally approved has been very helpful over the years. I have a lot to refresh myself with and new stuff to learn in filing this new claim. Thanks for responding to my post.

John999 -- I see that you are in Tampa. Have you heard of or have had any dealings with a group of lawyers from Stetson that are supposed to help Vets with claims? I remember reading about it in the St. Pete Times probably a year or so ago. Thanks.

Thank you for your responses. I am just afraid that they will try to take my rating away. I am within 1 year for it to be protected. It took me almost 6 years to have that granted. Physically, I am in no shape to go through all that again. It is going to take me a while to get a claim together to submit, as well. I am also trying to learn more about this entire process. Thank you for taking the time to answer my post.

I think I have posted this is the wrong place, so I am re-posting it here. I am trying to figure out whether I should apply for Permanent and Total and Unemployablity and when I should do that. Your thoughts are appreciated. I was rated at 60% for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 1994. At the time of the rating, the decision states that "extra scheduler evaluation is not necessary". They had also considered granting a 100% rating. I also had other medical conditions mentioned in the decision. In 2012, I was unable to continue working due to increasing medical issues. On my doctor's advice, I retired. It was not a medical retirement, I had my time in and was eligible. I also filed for Social Security Disability. The hearing decision has not come back, yet. I don't understand what is meant by extra scheduler evaluation not necessary." After thinking about the last statement, I think they didn't consider because they didn't have to as I was still working. I think I need to wait until 2015 to file the claim so that my 60% rating is protected. Is this correct? Thanks for your thoughts.

I am trying to figure out whether I should apply for Permanent and Total and Unemployablity and when I should do that. Your thoughts are appreciated. I was rated at 60% for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 1994. At the time of the rating, the decision states that "extra scheduler evaluation is not necessary". They had also considered granting a 100% rating. I also had other medical conditions mentioned in the decision. In 2012, I was unable to continue working due to increasing medical issues. I also filed for Social Security Disability. The hearing decision has not come back, yet. I don't understand what is meant by extra scheduler evaluation not necessary." I think I need to wait until 2015 to file the claim so that my 60% rating is protected. Is this correct? Thanks for your thoughts.