tdiu C&p Opinion For Lack Of Employment Since 1983

[Josephine]

August 20, 2008 C&P for Increase and TDIU

The veteran has not worked since the last exam.

She has not worked since 1983, and brings in a Social Security earnings statement detailing no income at all for many, many years.

This examiner discussed with her reasons for her lack of employment over the years.

She reports she used to work at a hospital, at a nursing home, stocking shelves at a store and on the cash registers.

The veteran reported that she had significant anxiety symptoms which involved excessive perspiration, especially on her hands.

She reported that when trying to take blood pressures, her hands

would be so wet, they would slide off the bulb that she had to squeeze.

If she touched paper, she reports the ink would smear. She had become

more intensely anxious when dealing with other people and reported she would leave " puddles" of moisture on the cash register keys.

In addition, she reported other more intense anxiety symptoms such as increased heartbeat, shortness of breath, intense anxiety, and lightheadedness.

She reports that on the way to work at a nursing home one time, she had to pull over and sit on the side of the road because her anxiety got to the point where it was inducing vomiting.

This veteran today discusses these symptoms in a rather dramatic

fashion and becomes tearful when describing them.

The veteran reports that she has not driven a car in many, many years, again due to her intense anxiety, feeling scared and feeling that she "can't think straight". when she is that nervous.

The veteran has been married for 43 years. She reports that they get along o.k. that she is often irritable, though her husband is supportive. She has two daughters and eight grandchildren.

And reports a good relationship with them and they and the husband

will help her out by driving her places. The veteran reports

that she has little in the way of close friendships, she is not

comfortable socializing. She does not like to go out to other people's homes. She reports that she does not go out even to restaurants out in the public, only about once a year.

She is highly anxious when out in the public, especially with

with a lot of people. She will only occasionally go out to a small

local store and reports her husband must do most of the grocery

shopping. She does have some acquaintances that she talks to on the

phone about once a month.

The veteran reports that some of her anxiety in public has to

do with her perception that others are noticing her own anxiety,

particularly her sweaty hands, and also she feels extremely

inadequate and feeling not as good as others and that she does not

fit in or have anything in common with people.

She spends her time mostly around the house, watering the plants,

around the yard, watching television, doing household chores.

She enjoys collecting dolls, which she often gets by looking

on the computer ( ebay). She reports she cannot go to doll shows

because of her anxiety. She reports that she is able to get out

to some yard sells at times, as these are more out in the open.

She denies legal problems.

Ingregrated Summary and Conclusion:

As noted above, this veteran continues to have severe problems with anxiety.

The exam request form ask about issues related to employability and specifically ask how it impacts about physical and sedentary employment potential.

The employability issue regarding sedentary versus physical seems irrevelant, as this women's severe anxiety seems to be severe enough that it would prohibit most employment.

Betty

[ladypoetry85]

Shane,

Let me see if I can get this straight. The TDIU was effective April 2005, so that gives me two years.

What about the 100% P&T effective September 2008.

Thanks,

Betty

Hey Sportsfans! I would like to offer my 2cents if I may. Tread very carefully. I was awarded 100%P&T in 2004. I had other issues I was appealing, one of which was an earlier effective date. Now this should have been easy because I was awarded the 100% as a result of a CUE/VA's fault. I was reduced in 2006 back to the 60% that was awarded to me when I was medically retired from the Army. Yes I know that this was a illegal act on the part of the VA but it still happened. I filed a appeal/form 9/BVA request in 2006, and the VA has refused to forward it up to the BVA! This sort of thing happens to women veterans all of the time! esp if it was awarded for PTSD/Depression/Anxiety due to MST! As a result of the VA illegal actions, I am about to become homeless. I have a family and severe PTSD, Major Depression, Anxiety, Ankying(sp) Spondylosis of the spine, arthritis of the knees, sc for leftankles,left wrist back, severe asthma, migrane headaches SLE,and a host of other medical issues. I have severe mobility and use a electric scooter to get around and a cane. So please be careful.

[john999]

An IU rating effective 1983 would also mean your rating is protected plus your husband is entitled to all the benefits of being P&T for 25 years. Perhaps you can try and get all your other medical problems SC'ed because of the effects of severe anxiety disorder on your health. Being in a high state of anxiety on a chronic basis could be a contributing factor in many disorders. All you need is a doctor to say it. You have the money to go doctor shopping. It is kind of like shopping for shoes except its doctors you are shopping for and someone out there with an MD will bite if you show him the money.

[Josephine]

Hey Sportsfans! I would like to offer my 2cents if I may. Tread very carefully. I was awarded 100%P&T in 2004. I had other issues I was appealing, one of which was an earlier effective date. Now this should have been easy because I was awarded the 100% as a result of a CUE/VA's fault. I was reduced in 2006 back to the 60% that was awarded to me when I was medically retired from the Army. Yes I know that this was a illegal act on the part of the VA but it still happened. I filed a appeal/form 9/BVA request in 2006, and the VA has refused to forward it up to the BVA! This sort of thing happens to women veterans all of the time! esp if it was awarded for PTSD/Depression/Anxiety due to MST! As a result of the VA illegal actions, I am about to become homeless. I have a family and severe PTSD, Major Depression, Anxiety, Ankying(sp) Spondylosis of the spine, arthritis of the knees, sc for leftankles,left wrist back, severe asthma, migrane headaches SLE,and a host of other medical issues. I have severe mobility and use a electric scooter to get around and a cane. So please be careful.

ladypoetry85,

Thanks for your post. I have placed all of my VA papers in a safe

place and will no longer pursue my claim.

Yes, what you say about the VA is illegal, as I have watched them

do these things to me for the last 7 years.

I thank everyone for their advice, but life is too short and I

am satisfied .

Justice was long in coming, but I am take comfort in knowing,

I proved to the VA that some one can win a claim 44 years after

discharge.

I will leave the monies the VA owes me for some other veteran.

Always to best to you.

Betty

[Wings]

x

x

x

Jo, You can take a break, you have a year to appeal that decision. Then again, the battle is so fresh on your mind, your victory was powerful, and could easily sustain another assault ;-) I respect your decisons, either way!! ~Wings

[Josephine]

Thanks Wings,

A year is a long time, but for right now, I am counting my blessings

and letting this old dog die.

Always,

Betty

[hurryupnwait]

Thanks Wings,

A year is a long time, but for right now, I am counting my blessings

and letting this old dog die.

Always,

Betty

Hi Betty

Why don't you turn your case over to a lawyer, and take a break, I turned my case over to a lawyer and took 6 months off, I was seldom seen here on Hadit because I wanted to enjoy the fact that I won service connection for a claim that was 35 years old. I did not want to work on it anymore. Your claim was 44 years old and you won it, you deserve a big HOOORAAY

A lawyer can take much of the stress out of the NOD claim, the stressful part might be another C&P exam.

I plan to continue the fight, but as a team with my lawyer.

I would respect your decision to stop the fight and live life.

You still have the oven, so maybe you could get an IMO with it.

Happiest of trails my friend

Paul

Happy Trails