How To Cross The Hurdle Of The 90%?

[Izzy]

Hello to all fellow Veterans

I have a service conected disability of 90%. 50% for Brain Syndrome, 30% for Diplopia, 30% for Migraines and I have twelve other of 10%.

I have been diagnosed with depression, memory loss, PSTD, degenerative joint disease in ankles, shoulder, knees, clavicula and the neck, glaucoma, HBP, etc.

Currently I work at a prison and I do not know what to do from here?

I am the only one bringing home the bread, many bills, but I have heard that I could be doing better if I can get the 100% mark.

Currently I am thinking to file for TBI and epilitic seizures?

Any suggestions? I know that I have not check my C-file, I just read it in a thread, I will schedule this appointment.

[john999]

How is your employer going to look at you if you are 100% service connected? One of the factors that is keeping you from getting 100% is probably the fact that you can still work.

[Pete53]

As long as you are able to work you will never get 100% and I hate to be blunt I think that is fair.

[LarryJ]

Izzy, hello.

Here is your conundrum, you're "between a rock and a hard place", you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.

You see, to be able to qualify for the 100%, you'll never get there, not by trying to come up with enough qualifying disabilities.....due to the "VA mathematics".

You'll just NEVER get there.

So, for you to be able to get to the SAME point as the 100% would be, you're going to have to try for the TDIU (Totally Disabled due to Individual Unemployability).

Now, here is where the "rock and hard place" come in. Ya see to GET TDIU, well, you're gonna have to be UN-employed, and the VA WILL send a questionnaire to your LAST employer, asking when the last day you worked, why you can no longer work, etc.

So, that means that you will have to convince your prison system that you can no longer work (and, with your disabilities, that should not be a problem).

Where the problem arises is.........you'll be unemployed, waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the VA to get off their butts and actually grant you the TDIU.

It took them close to a year, for mine. Fortunately, I have a wife that makes pretty good money, otherwise I'd be living under a bridge somewhere.

[cowgirl]

Izzy, good post for the fellas & gals here. :) Got a claim in for tdiu myself. I also have another issue in for increase, could be that could put me at 100% or not. I have been unemployed at substantial work for for over a decade, with sc health conditions increasing in treatment that includes multiple biweekly appointments and medication. Hope for decison soon, hope the result will shed light one way or another for others too.

If your sc conditions have changed, increased or make you unemployable - thats the way it is. Have you ever recieved a tdiu application with your ratings? If so, about how long ago? If your ratings are current, that may help a bit for you to act soonest.

The best to ya, glad to have ya aboard,

Cg,up2009!

Edited April 17, 2009 by cowgirl

[Testvet]

you say you are already SC for PTSD if you don't mind I am going to ask some personal questions what % and are you still in treatment? Are you on meds for PTSD? When was the last time you had a C&P for PTSD? Of all your problems way to get an increase is to show the RO that your PTSD has worsened the VA rates PTSD at 0% 10% 30% 50% and 70% or 100% many of the vets getting 70% are usually able to get the TDIU rating which after they rate them P&T they SHOULD change it to a 100% rating if they are saying it's permanent I have never dealt with that though they went from 50% to 100% P&T after I filed the first NOD on the low ball 50% award I had a GAF that stayed beteween 30 & 45 never anything higher more on the 30s than in the 40s and I had 3 years of treatment records to prove it.... getting from 90% to 100% is the hardest battle you will ever have the difference is a lot of extra benefits besides the extra 1000 plus a month in compensation

[carlie]

Izzy,

You posted,

"Currently I work at a prison and I do not know what to do from here?"

Being that you are gainfully employed I would venture to say a PTSD

grant won't pay the percentage you need to hit the 100% schedular

even though your at 90 % now.

You also posted you recieve 50 % for Brain Syndrome --

Your Rating Decision that granted this one --

did they use Diagnostic Code 8045 that was in effect prior to Oct. 2008

or after the changes were made in the Schedule for Rating Disabilities

that went into effect Oct. 2008 ?

carlie