Bravo6

Thanks Bill for all the links! I did a lot of reading LOL! Pete....would I file a regular claim or is there a special form? Thanks again! B6

Awesome.....never can be too safe when dealing with the VA! Best of luck! B6

I concur! I would remove that picture ASAP! Just as a precaution! Good Luck! B6

Just a matter of time before I get a decision! Retro pay from April 2007 will come in handy! Thanks again Berta!

Cliff Notes version: I was denied SSDI in September (first time)(70% SC at the time), then appealed in October (denied again).......finally got an MRI from VA in December. I applied for TDIU in September of last year......had C&P in February for the increase. In March, had an ILS done, was granted upgrades to my home. The ILS (VRE) counselor wrote a letter stating that I was unemployable. Then a week later I was granted TDIU, with an increased to 80% SC! My attorney submitted all of the new info to SSDI for an on the record decision or a hearing date. Hope you can understand that! I have NO NSC! All conditions are SC'd! I think my age (41) may have a lot to do with the denials. B6

It took an MRI to show what the x-rays would not for me and a few others here. Finally after ten years of dealing with the VA, I got my PCP to finally order an MRI on my back last December! Then BAM, my condition (DDD of the lumbar spine) was clearly shown via the MRI verses the x-rays just as Vync spoke of! Great info Vync! With the MRI, I could clearly show my condition to the VA.......thus helping me with my claim for an increase/TDIU. Hang in there! Good Luck! B6

I'm the exact opposite of you! I was granted TDIU and was denied SSDI! Go Figure! Awaiting for an on the record decision from SSDI or a hearing date! Good Luck! B6

I would like to know the same thing.......how are you rated at 25%?

Congrats! Well deserved! B6

AWESOME!!!

Sounds like you have a very STRONG case for TDIU! Yes, you will have to go to another C&P exam because filing for TDIU is actually filing for an increase! Good Luck with everything....hang in there....things will get better for you and your family! B6

Congrats!

Congrats!

Excellent News LZJUMP! Glad to see that you finally got the benefits that you deserve! Enjoy!!! Rejoice!! B6

There should be MANDATORY MINIMUMS for these self-serving COWARDS!!!! B6

This really doesn't surprise me one bit! Stole Valor is starting to become a REAL problem!!! I'm sure there are more stories out there that we haven't heard about, ones just like this COWARD did!! Mandatory minimums (prison time) is very much needed for these shameless cowards!!!! B6

After Desert Storm from Fort Riley, I (77F now 92W MOS) was assigned to Fort Lee via 109th QM Company from Dec 92 to Aug 94!!! We may know one another!!! If you look at my avatar picture, you'll see that FORSCOM patch represents my Fort Lee assignment!!!! Welcome to HADIT!!! Best of Luck! B6

Congrats!!

IMHO, I would recommend that you contact the local VARO and get him an appointment to see a VOC REHAB counselor. Have the VOC Rehab counselor write a letter stating that he would not benefit from future training thus making him unemployable! I was denied TDIU until I had my Voc Rehab counselor write said letter, then one week later I was awarded TDIU solely based on his letter! I hope this help! Good Luck B6

That's what it might say, but we ALL know that SSA don't follow their own procedures or policies! Go Figure! My lawyer said the same thing about the my age and being DENIED. I'm TDIU, so go figure!!!

DITTO! Best advice!! Good Luck!!

Would a SC fused toe qualify for SMC? Just curious!

Have you asked VocRec for an in-home assessment (independent living services)? This WILL help your claim for IU! This will show what your daily routine is currently, what time you get up, who cooks, cleans, does the yard work, etc. etc! I had an ILS counselor come to my house, was the best thing that I could have done. Once the counselor was in my home, we had a discussion about my current unemployment and future employment. Once he told me that I was unemployable thru our conversation for my SC'd conditions, I then asked if he could put that down in a letter for me. HE DID, and once the rater seen that letter from him. BAM!!! I was awarded IU immediately!! Good Luck!

Jeff....in order to qualify for ChampVA...you must be SC'd @ 100% P&T or TDIU! Congrats on your decision!! Good Luck! B6

Are you still working with the VRE counselor that you seen? If you are, try contacting them or go see them in person and have the VRE counselor write a letter stating that you will not benefit from any of the VRE education/re-training, thus making you unemployable! This was done in my case and was awarded IU with said letter above! Good Luck! B6