Gardener

I certainly agree with tbird. Get yourself to the emergency room right away if you are having those type of thoughts. Take care of yourself "first" and then consider how to fight the VA "later." YOU are the most important thing right now. Hang in there. Gardener

hedgey, Congrats on your win! Sorry for your disabilities, but at least you are somewhat vindicated. Also, it is quite normal to feel a little overwhelmed with the new decision, but in the long run you will realize that you are only getting what you so rightfully deserve. Fill out and turn in the IU form ASAP in order to perserve your effective date, but afterwards take a few days to just relax and have some hard earned fun! Congrats again, Gardener

They "may" need former employer verification showing "why" your husband was terminated? Also, is your husband on SSDI solely due to his service connected condition? If so, this is good evidence for TDIU and should be sent in. Gardener

landend, I agree with Wings. Also, I know just how you feel. The "system" can be confusing, especially when your fighting a demon disguised as PTSD. Hang in there. Best wishes coming your way. Gardener

Quibley, You can be TDIU (total disability) but not P (permanent: have future exams sceduled). But, if you are granted chapter 35 benefits then you are P&T. Keep us informed. Gardener

LarryJ, Does seem like there are more grants recently. That is a good thing! Maybe just a cycle? Hope it keeps cycling though. Gardener

Quibley, First, and foremost, a great big congrats to you! You can change your status to 100% now! Woo Hoo! Did they make you permanent and total? Anyhow, congrats again! Gardener

Make sure to let us know how the rating portion goes. Read up on the rating criteria for the different percentages (ie: 0, 10, 30, et cetera) to see where he fits in. Good luck to your husband, and again, tell him congrats on the favorable BVA decision (I hear that only about 20% of BVA decisions come back favorable: the rest are either denied or remanded). Gardener

VetsLady, Yes, if the BVA did not specify a percentage (but only granted service connection: which was the issue before the BVA I presume) then the VARO is left to assign the percentage. Although you signed a waiver the BVA was only deciding if to service connect it or not. Once the BVA connects the disability then it is sent back to your VARO to assign the percentage. Good luck and keep us informed. What is your husband's current rating (before the new service connection of course since you do not know the percentage that will be assigned)? Gardener

Congrats on the BVA win! Was there any remanded issues, or only the one for sc? Also, did the BVA grant a percentage? If not, then you will probably have to undergo a C&P exam to determine the severity of the disability (in order to assign a percentage). Either way, you are now SC'd which is the "hard" part of the claim. Again, a big congratulations coming your way! Gardener

bufloguy, A great big congrats to you! Now: relax and enjoy your hard "earned" benefit (but stay on it to get it p&t). Thank you for your service. Gardener

titlewave, Way to go! It really is a great day when someone comes along to help another. What a blessing for your father-in-law. Gardener

Congrats on your award! Gardener

Just called the 800 number folks and ask for an update on my percentage! Was told as of today the new percentage rate had been inputed along with P&T status. The nice person even faxed me a letter to that effect! Woo Hoo! Long fight, but prevailed in the end! Thank you to all on this board. Gardener

First, and foremost, congratulations on such a "fast" favorable decision by the BVA! Secondly, have you had a C&P as of yet for the PTSD? If not, you may have to undergo a C&P to find out the "severity" of the disorder (by your VARO) in order to give you a percentage. The effective date is from your filing for PTSD (including the time you waited in line at the BVA and received the favorable decision). Again, congrats! Gardener

Not really sure, but this could be dealing with his memory, et cetera. Gardener

Congratulations! Totally normal to be nervous (even with good news!) Gardener

Hold it larryj, Now: And the winner is :) Gardener

Berta, Sorry for the confusion: "(application was included with the original award letter)" "only to the date of my application for TDIU (which was 3 years after they found me 70%)." I am really confused here. I will try to clarify this: I was not "notified" of the award until 3 years "after" filing my original claim for service connection. It took them three years to reach a decision due to the fact that I had to file an NOD, and send in additional evidence (of stressor). Once this was done, then I was notified of the award, and found the application in the package (promptly filed). My question was pertaining to the fact that there was medical evidence, and rationale, to back it up in my c-file "prior" to being awarded the 70% (this is where I thought that they should have inferred the IU because I was unemployed due solely to that sc condition). I guess I was confused as to why they would not have gone back to the original award date (due to the fact that it took three years to decide and notify me of this award). Say they had only took 8 months to award and notify (hypothetical case of course), then I could have filed within that time. It is like being told three years later of a birthday party, and then being asked "why didn't you show up?" "Didn't know I was invited until 3 years after the fact." Sorry for the confusion. I will probably just get with the VSO and see what can be done. I just wanted to have the "appropriate" ammo before doing so. I have not yet received the award letter, and the reason and basis to the EED, so once this arrives I will take a close look at it, and then go from there. May not be anything else I can do, but I wanted to get "educated" as much as possible. (Unlike when I first originally applied). I really appreciate your help, and really glad I found this board. I know that it was a complicated case, and sorry for the questions: but I have learned that there is "no" dumb question (only those that are not asked). Gardener

I agree with Larryjj. Hindsite is 20/20 and I wished that I had known I could file for this when I first orignally applied. But, this will help those who "now" know. Good post, larryj. Gardener

Wings, Thanks for your constructive reply. Great info! I will do just that. This board has been extremely helpful. Thanks also to mobie, john, pete, larryj and berta for your responses to my question. Gardener

Can someone tell me what ASI stands for? Also, does anyone know where to apply for this supplemental insurance? Thanks Gardener

Congrats on your award! TDIU and IU are one and the same. TDIU stands for "total disability individual unemployability. IU is the "individual unemployability. They are the same thing due to the pay rate of 100%. Say your husband is 90% (and applies for IU and awarded such) then he would still be 90% but payed at the 100% (total portion here) due to not being able to work. Again, congrats and enjoy the hard earned benefits. Gardener

Thanks mobie! Gardener

Hi Berta, Yes, the orginal rating was 70%. There was evidence in the c-file (including my original application which asked "what prevented me from working?: here I listed the condition that I was applying for original service connection (which was then granted at 70%). Even the C&P that was given before the rating of 70% refers to me being unemployed, along with a private doc's statement that I was unemployable due to what I applied for through the VA. I received this original rating 3 years after filing my original application for service connection (due to an NOD filed with additional evidence proving stressor, and "promptly" filed for TDIU (application was included with the original award letter). After filing for TDIU I was sent for a C&P and was reduced quite a bit. Then it went to the BVA and it was reversed and awarded TDIU) Then, this was sent to the AMC along with remanded issues (I already received the SSOC on the remanded issues: which are being returned to the BVA). I received a letter from the DAV last month informing me that they granted effective date only to the date of my application for TDIU (which was 3 years after they found me 70%). I haven't received the "official" award letter as of yet, but expect it soon. I am only trying to find out if it should have gone back to my "original filing date" for service connection on the grounds of an inferred claim for IU with the evidence that was a part of my c-file before they granted the 70%. I know it is a long story, but I want to make sure I understand if I can file for an EED on the inferred portion. Thanks, Gardener