celli

Thank you Pete for all you do to help people like me and give us a place to come and vent, share info and get info. Ok, I have not applied for SS benefits and I wasn't sure if I should, if I qualify and honestly, I feel really weird doing so. I have my SS statement in front of me and it states I have to have enough points to receive disability. I'm sure I do since I've been working since I was 16. How do I apply?

I posted many questions in the past year or so regarding my claims and medical issues. I was fired from my full time job May 2009. At that time I was going to the VA for psych care for severe anxiety and was diagnosed with ptsd / mst. To make a long story short, I went to my local veteran's rep and he filled out the paperwork requesting IU. At the time I didn't understand what that meant, I only knew that I had a very hard time with people, being around people, inability to multitask without freaking out and my ability to cope with the most minor of things had affected my life (marriage ended in divorce, couldnt keep a job, lost friends, gained weight ,lost weight, OD). I was denied but upon reading the letter I realized they made a mistake and not only had a vietnam veteran's information in my cfile but they noted wrong information from my C&P exam. With help from my trusty vet rep he filed an appeal and noted the wrong information stated in my letter as well as someone else's notes in my cfile. I was told that it would be about a year to hear something and my file was being with the DRO. Being a single mom with a 5 yr old a mortgage I contacted my Congressman Wolf, Virginia, and his office called me immediately (within the hour of my sending an email). The woman who called worked for him and wanted more information about my case so I talked to her for quite some time that evening. She wanted me to gather all the information that had already been sent to the VA for appeal as well as anything else that may help including letters from my family and my best friend who has known me since I was in 7 yrs old. It only took about a month to hear something from the VA. Actually, I called on afternoon (the 1800 number) and the gentlemen on the phone told me a decision was made). I asked if he could tell me what it was and he said he couldnt and he was sorry. I asked if he would tell me what my rating was and he told me "you are currently rated 70% with IU" and I burst into tears. I could tell that the gentlemen on the phone was glad he was able to tell me only because I asked. I received my first full IU payment June 1, 2010 and I have mixed feelings about it. It's weird being unable to work because my anxiety is so bad but I started volunteering working with animals (I am better with animals than people) and it's been my therapy. So in my case asking my Congressman to help did make a difference. God Bless America! I pray for those seeking similar assistance that they receive what they need and deserve.

Hello, I was wondering what this means, if anything. I received a response that stated: Your 'Status of Claim' has been routed to the 'VBA IRC Response Center 5' group. I called the 800 number and they had no information and I asked for my rating and I was told my rating is 70% as it was before. Could it be that their information is not updated? Would I receive the above notification in either case (awarded or denied?) or could it mean one or the other? Thanks in advance. Celli

I am a disabled Vet who posted here several times and you guys have a been a great help to me. My question is: My boyfriend is also a disabled Vet receiving 50% and I currently receive 70%. If we got married how does that affect the compensation other than it possibly being increased? Could it negatively affect the amount as we are both disabled? Also, as a dependent to a disabled vet receiving comp benefits, what happens if that person were to die? I have a 5 yr old daughter and wonder what will happen if I died - would she receive any monetary allowance or compensation on my behalf? AND if I were married would my widowed husband receive anything and visa versa? God bless you all! :P :o Celli

Ok, I'm confused. I called the 800 number totally stressed me out. The woman on the phone seemed annoyed with each question I asked and was rude. Sorry, venting. She told me that my shoulder is currently rated at 0% DC is 5201, limitation of motion. I tried figuring out what might happen with the rating now that I finally have the MRI results but I cant make heads or tails of it. I guess I will just wait and see unless someone has an idea. Thanks again for your imput. Celli

Thank you for the information. Very informative. Was your injury service connected? Does anyone think I will get a rating for this since the MRI finally shows something is wrong after all these years. I am currently rated 0% for my shoulder.

Good evening. I have a question and I was hoping someone might be able to shed some light on what this means and or what may happen. I am currently 70% for anxiety. Had a recent C&P for my shoulder, which I injured in basic training in 92. I've never really had a diagnosis until now. Was told back then I sprained it and it gave me trouble since. I didnt complain much about thinking it just goes with the job. As I'm getting older it's worse (join the club right) so I finally was told by the Doctor who did my C&P that she thought I might have a tear and something is definitely wrong so she sent me for an MRI. Just received the results and it states as follows: MRI showed: Impingement of the distal rotator cuff resulting in moderate tendinosis. No definite tear identified. There is a small amount of fluid in the subacromial/subdeltiod bursa. What does this mean? Does this sort of thing need surgery? Does anyone else have this and will this get a comp rating? Thank you in advance. This website has been such a great help to me and I thank you!! Celli

---------------- The above post was my last a few months ago while I was awaiting a decision to be made on my letter of disagreement regarding my denial of IU. I'm very confused and not sure what the heck the VA is doing. I received a letter from the Va 1/14 stating that I am scheduled for another C&P for my RIGHT shoulder. WTF.....I dont have a problem with my right shoulder. In fact I injured my left shoulder but that is currently at 0% and the C&P mentioned above included psych and a medical exam for my LEFT shoulder with xrays, etc. The prblem I have is with anxiety and PTSD and coping, etc. They didn't answer the problem which was their mistake on what the C&P examiner stated about my being totally socially and occupationally impaired as well as an entire page about a Vietnam Vet that was included in my award letter. I have tried to contact my VA Rep in Front Royal with no reply or help so I am just stressed and confused. My VA Rep; told me they would probably decide my case on what has already been documented and the fact that they got their information wrong. Now another exam on my RIGHT shoulder???? This makes no sense? Anyone have any advice for me? Thanks, Celli

I met with my VA Rep this morning. He filed a letter of disagreement to include copy of my C&P which states that the Examiner found that I do have total occupational impairment due to mental disorder. As stated previously, I was increased to 70% but denied IU because they stated that the examiner did not find that I had total occupational impairment. Do you think this letter of disgreement might make a difference? Thank you all and bless you all.

Good luck. I called the 800# and was told a decision was made. I received the letter 4 business days later. God bless.

Received Decision Letter Today, page inserted that doesnt belong to me and freaked me out I posted the above a few days ago. I just talked to my Field Rep and he is going to meet with me next Tuesday. I read to him about the conflicting data in my C&P vs my decision letter which states that the Examiner opined THERE IS NOT a total and occupational impairment due to my disorder. However, the C&P clearly states a YES after the question: Is there a total occupational and social impairment due to mental disorder signs and symptoms - YES. Has anyone else had conflicting data? If so, how did it turn out? Any opinions? I also informed my Rep (what do you call him, Im still not sure about all the abbreviations used on this site) that there is a page from a Vietnam Veteran which was very upsetting and I told him about my concern for this Veteran and if he may have missing information in his file. Thank you all for your responses and your help. I am so appreciative of this website and all of you who help fellow Vets. Thank you for your service and for all that you have done to give ME and my daughter the chance to live a life of freedom in this country that I love so much. May God bless you all! Stephanie

Strangely, my name and file number is on the top of the page containing information about the Vietnam Veteran. This is very upsetting to me because as someone stated, I'm not sure if HIS file is missing this page. Very frustrating indeed and upsetting. As for the IU denied, the reason for decision..it states: --------------- Evaluation of General Anxiety Disorder with panic attacks currently evaluated as 70% disabling. During the evaluation th examiner noted you were clean, neatly groomed, appropriately dressed. The exam reported psychomotor activity of hand wringing and tense. Your affect was flat. Your mood was anxious, hopeless, depressed, and dysphoric, slow in completing tasks, thought content was suicidal ideation, homicidal idiation and phobias. Sleep impaired, obsessive/ritualistic behavior, panic attacks when I go to certain places and impair my ability to function. Easily frustrated in completing tasks and becomes very emotional and cries if you are under pressure. The examiner diagnosed generalized anxiety disorder. It is not appropriate to establish entitlement to IU when you are no longer able to work in your chosen occupation, but rather it must be shown that you are entirely unable to work at any type of gainful employment at all due solely to your SCD. The examiner opined there is not a total occupational impairment due to generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks. ---------------end HOWEVER, on my C&P results the copy I HAVE states: Is there total and social impairment due to mental disorder signs and symptoms? YES Does this make sense?

I posted a few weeks ago (see below along with my c&p results). I was denied IU and increased to 70% which I accept. I am not sure how all this works but I applied for Voc Rehab today. There was a page in my packet that didn't belong to me. I served during the Gulf War Era (as they stated) and there is a page about a Vietnam Vet and what he has been dealing with. It was extremely traumatic to read and I cant get the thoughts out of my mind the way it was described. I wish I didn't read it. And I can't even IMAGINE how he feels. I keep thinking about him and what he went through. Does this happen often where someone with PTSD receives information about another PTSD patient and it causes even more stress? What should I do? I don't think I will be sleeping much tonight. May God bless you all. (my previous post) I am currently rated 50% for anxiety disorder. I had my c&p exam in July. I obtained a copy of my c&p exam and I am not sure how this works. The following is what was typed by the examiner: (if anyone can give me their thoughts opinions on how this may turn out I would appreciate it) Axis I: generalized anxiety disorder Axis II: no dx Axis III: various sicknesses, surgeries, etc over the years Axis IV: Anxiety symptoms; job problems Axis V: Global Assessment of Functioning Score: 42 Time Frame: current functioning Comments: There are serious impairments in her ability to interact with others. She has continued to have this problem despite medication and therapy. There have been numerous and ongoing difficulties getting along with bosses and coworkers. These problems (irritability and crying under pressure) caused her to be fired from her most recent job. She has had approx. 10 jobs in the 15 yrs since her discharge from service. Does each diagnosis of mental disorder meet the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria? YES

I am posting this for my father. He served in USAF as Firefighter on flightline during Vietnam Era, discharged in 1969. He was sprayed with chlorobromomethane (in his medical records) has bilateral hearing loss (which the VA has treated him and gave him hearing aids. He submitted a claim with the help of a VA Rep and he is frustrated because they want additional evidence. He has emphysema and during the time he served he wore the silver fire suit of asbestos. They want evidence that any of his current conditions existed from military service. How can anyone prove that? I have been trying to do some research for him and the VA stated exposure to chlorobromethane in itself is NOT a disability. He inhaled it and got in his eyes while being sprayed accidently. He worked on the flight line (could 4 years of working on the flight line cause hearing loss? How can you prove it? I looked up Chlorobrometh. and OSHA has a pdf about the chemical and that if inhaled, got into eyes it can affect the body then goes on to say how it can affect, organs, respitory issues. Any opinions or information to help? Thank you.

Thank you all for your input. May God bless you! Once I hear back the VA I will post again and let you know what the turnout is.