bh1981

Hello all...I just wanted to post a couple successes that just recently came through. The first is on the social security front. As soon as I became entitled to TDIU I applied for SSDI. at process took 4 months and required absolutely no medical or physical appointment in person. I just printed out the TDIU letter from ebenefits, downloaded my medical history from myhealthevet and printed it off, which was subsequently sent to Social Security. That process took 4 months and required absolutely no medical or physical appointment in person. Just a quick 10-15 minute phone call with a representative. I was awarded yesterday and applied initially February 24th.

The other is the Total and Permanent Disability discharge for student loans. Again, I applied the second I was awarded TDIU and that, as well, came back as being discharged yesterday. My loans totaled $64,000! I feel very fortunate to have some of the resources that have been made available to me by this website. The joy I experienced yesterday was like Christmas, my birthday, and coming home from both of my deployments wrapped all into one! I wish you all the same amount of fortune.

Congrats!

Mrs.Berta, I have read alot of your posts and they are very helpful. Do you know the St Paul Regional office Director number.bi have contacted the Undersecretary and which she reach out the Atlanta office which forward nice gentlemen that was helpful but my claim was dispatch to St. Paul MN office since Atlanta office is overwhelmed. My claim been back and forth from preparation to notification to pending approval which is backwards. Could you please help me?

Congratulations! Particularly on the student loan discharge as many are not as fortunate. (Depends on the exact nature of the loan.)
I don't know how long you have actually been unable to work, but it may be possible to get SSA to award an earlier disability date. I went through the "hoops", and managed to get an earlier SSDI effective date approved.

Awesome, BH- very happy for your financial relief!

Congrats on the Great news!!!

Congrats on eveything!

Hello all...I just wanted to post a couple successes that just recently came through. The first is on the social security front. As soon as I became entitled to TDIU I applied for SSDI. at process took 4 months and required absolutely no medical or physical appointment in person. I just printed out the TDIU letter from ebenefits, downloaded my medical history from myhealthevet and printed it off, which was subsequently sent to Social Security. That process took 4 months and required absolutely no medical or physical appointment in person. Just a quick 10-15 minute phone call with a representative. I was awarded yesterday and applied initially February 24th.

The other is the Total and Permanent Disability discharge for student loans. Again, I applied the second I was awarded TDIU and that, as well, came back as being discharged yesterday. My loans totaled $64,000! I feel very fortunate to have some of the resources that have been made available to me by this website. The joy I experienced yesterday was like Christmas, my birthday, and coming home from both of my deployments wrapped all into one! I wish you all the same amount of fortune.

Hi everyone,

I have not posted on here before but have been a frequent visitor while in the claims process. I cannot say thank you enough to all of you who take the time to share your experiences and offer guidance as I feel this is the reason I was able to obtain my overall rating of 90%! I am extremely grateful for this rating but feel some of my conditions were rated lower then perhaps they should have been. I am wondering if I should try for increases although I have read there is some risk involved with a potential of reduction for other conditions, or if I should just leave it be and be thankful for my current percentage? Also, I recently joined the AF reserves and am wondering if this is an automatic call for a MED board? Any feedback would be most appreciated. Considering I was always curious of people's percentage breakdowns, I have included mine for those who are curious. Now I am just awaiting the BBE or BWE as some seem to have received.

painful scar status post laceration, right index finger 10% Service Connected
dry eye syndrome 0% Service Connected
strain, right wrist 10% Service Connected
strain, thoracolumbar spine 10% Service Connected
irritable bowel syndrome with diverticulosis 30% Service Connected
scar status post laceration, right index finger 0% Service Connected
acne 0% Service Connected
chronic fatigue Not Service Connected patellofemoral syndrome
right knee 0% Service Connected
patellofemoral syndrome, left knee 0% Service Connected
ACL osteoarthritis with strain, right shoulder (MAJOR) 10% Service Connected
ACL osteoarthritis with tendonitis and labral tear, left shoulder (MINOR) 10% Service Connected
hyposmia status post septoplasty 0% Service Connected
hemorrhoids 0% Service Connected
major depression with generalized anxiety 70% Service Connected

Hello all...I just wanted to post a couple successes that just recently came through. The first is on the social security front. As soon as I became entitled to TDIU I applied for SSDI. at process took 4 months and required absolutely no medical or physical appointment in person. I just printed out the TDIU letter from ebenefits, downloaded my medical history from myhealthevet and printed it off, which was subsequently sent to Social Security. That process took 4 months and required absolutely no medical or physical appointment in person. Just a quick 10-15 minute phone call with a representative. I was awarded yesterday and applied initially February 24th.

The other is the Total and Permanent Disability discharge for student loans. Again, I applied the second I was awarded TDIU and that, as well, came back as being discharged yesterday. My loans totaled $64,000! I feel very fortunate to have some of the resources that have been made available to me by this website. The joy I experienced yesterday was like Christmas, my birthday, and coming home from both of my deployments wrapped all into one! I wish you all the same amount of fortune.

Hello all...I just wanted to post a couple successes that just recently came through. The first is on the social security front. As soon as I became entitled to TDIU I applied for SSDI. at process took 4 months and required absolutely no medical or physical appointment in person. I just printed out the TDIU letter from ebenefits, downloaded my medical history from myhealthevet and printed it off, which was subsequently sent to Social Security. That process took 4 months and required absolutely no medical or physical appointment in person. Just a quick 10-15 minute phone call with a representative. I was awarded yesterday and applied initially February 24th.

The other is the Total and Permanent Disability discharge for student loans. Again, I applied the second I was awarded TDIU and that, as well, came back as being discharged yesterday. My loans totaled $64,000! I feel very fortunate to have some of the resources that have been made available to me by this website. The joy I experienced yesterday was like Christmas, my birthday, and coming home from both of my deployments wrapped all into one! I wish you all the same amount of fortune.

Also, I forgot to mention that there is a device that has been approved for the FDA in alleviating the symptoms of CTS. I am in no way, shape, or form affiliated with the device or manufacturer so hopefully this post does not get deleted by moderators. But it has helped me at night, when CTS is worse, and I figured I'd share it with you. It is called CTRAC for CTS. It's basically a device that can be used on both hands and the intended purpose is to stretch the ligament that pushes against the median nerve in the wrists. So it acts as a sort of "release therapy" without the surgery. I have been using it for about 3 full weeks now and have noticed a significant difference in my non-dominant hand and a difference in my dominant hand that makes CTS more manageable. It's still there but the tingling and numbing have gone down significantly at night and during the daytime. It might be something to look into for whatever it may be worth.

Yeah, I got a positive in both Phalen's and Tinel's as well. I've had great luck with fully developed claims in the past. For my TBI screening they sent me to an outside provider and that was a horrendous experience. At least with these FDC's and DBQ's I can select and interview my treating physician and use my private insurance to pay for the assessment. When possible I can and will use my own selected provider for these assessments because I can follow up with them if I have a question pertaining to the DBQ they filled out. With the person I saw over the TBI assessment, because the VA was paying for it, they would not give me the results which I feel is completely erroneous. That's neither here nor there. Hopefully my physician makes it crystal clear that my condition is what it is and will alleviate the VA in making assumptions for "rating purposes". Philly VAROIC seems to be going pretty quick with FDC's as of late and I cannot go through the usual claim process as I am moving out of state next month, back to my adopted "home state" of Florida. So hopefully they won't send me for further C&P evaluations with a FDC. They didn't with my last FDC so we'll see! Good luck to you as well Julie. I hope your NOD works out well for you and you get your fair shake.

You're very welcome! I'm appealing my CTS because that comment also confuses me. When I read my C&P I had a completely different idea of what my ratings would be when compared to 38 C.F.R.

As far as symptoms, during the exam I had positive Phalen's & Tinel's sign (both sides). He confirmed paresthesias/dysethesias in both extremities and a decreased sensation during light touch at that nerve. I also had a nerve test (a few years ago) confirming CTS.

I personally think I'm confused on what "wholly sensory" means. I see that phrase a lot but can't seem to wrap my simple mind around it. Good luck on your FDC! If my NOD is ever resolved, I'll definitely post up the results.

I found the bilateral calculator as well. For those interested it is http://www.pebforum.com/VA%20_CALC/VA%20_CALC/calc.html

I'm in the same boat as you Snake Eyes. 90% overall but 100% due to I/U. My Ab8 letter doesn't say, however, that I am considered total and permanent but I am waiting for the official packet to draw any reasonable conclusions, considering how horrible eBenefits has been lately. Congrats and good luck. I think I'll be buying an Apple Watch and the rest to the old savings account/moving fund!

The site is working now!!!

No intrusion at all. You have to have a 'premium' myhealthevet account first, which can be accomplished at the VA medical center you go to. Once you have a premium account, log into the website and download your "blue button". From there you can see all notes, appointments, and medications as long as it is done and with the VA. I have had a couple appointments outsourced by the VA for C&P exams but those do not show up. They have to be VA appointments.

Buck asked, if he granted IU could he file NOD ask for the correct EED?

A veteran can file a NOD within one year of receiving a rating decision.

I think the right question is, if VA grants the veteran 100% due to PTSD, can he file a NOD for EED for the TDIU retro.

IMHO, VA will claim that the veteran's TDIU claim is MOOT because 100% schedular and TDIU pays the same benefits. VA will claim that the veteran's PTSD did not get worst until the C & P exam. I think if granted 100% due to PTSD, VA would fight the EED and the veteran would have to prove that his PTSD became worst as the date that he filed the TDIU claim. Of course all of this is speculation on my part and no one knows what VA will do. Hopefully VA will do the right thing.

No intrusion at all. You have to have a 'premium' myhealthevet account first, which can be accomplished at the VA medical center you go to. Once you have a premium account, log into the website and download your "blue button". From there you can see all notes, appointments, and medications as long as it is done and with the VA. I have had a couple appointments outsourced by the VA for C&P exams but those do not show up. They have to be VA appointments.

Unfortunately, it is possible that VA will grant you 100% PTSD with the effective date of your C & P examination. This will allow VA to not pay you all of the retro pay due to the effective date of your TDIU claim. Then again VA could grant your TDIU claim with all your retro pay due. You never know what VA will do until you get the award letter in your hands. Also, if the C & P examiner stated that you are incapable of managing your own finances, VA might slap you with an incompetence letter.

Hope all goes well.