ptsd Getting Ready For My Unemployability Interview

[Sapper]

Hi Everyone,

I have posted on here before when I was filing for an increase for my PTSD. Your comments and suggestions have helped me tremendously, and I have always gotten great advice, so I'm reaching out once more for hopefully my final battle for a while, Unemployability.

I am currently rated at 70% for PTSD w/ Major Depression, 10% Neck, 10% Back Pain, and 10% Tinnitus. This brings me to a total of 80% according to the VA. While posting about my increase once I recieved it, I was told by some members to hurry up and get a Social Security claim in, so I hurried up and went through all of the online stuff and now that's in the works. I was also told to make sure I file for TDIU since I was having some major problems at work. I sent in a statement about work from the envelope with the sworn statements and such inside, and sent it in. Now I am just waiting for my interview. I hate going to C&P interviews. (I haven't met anyone who really likes them) The doctors always seem to be distant and somewhat rude to me. My anxiety and depression drives me somewhat crazy during the waiting for decisions and pretty much the whole VA process of this stuff, so I am really looking for some support here I guess.

I worked up until June 25th this year, but nothing full time since my deployment when I returned in July of 2007. I've had too many problems taking orders, and people not understanding that I get jumpy around things such as boxes getting dropped, people coming up behind me, and because I worked in sporting goods, ignorant people who are looking at guns "flagging" me. I just about flipped out on one customer for doing this, I had to walk away and I was shook up for over 24 hours about this. I just plain don't get along with many people. My sleep problems are a big thing in this also, I get so wound up at work that I won't sleep for crap the night before work, even the Ambien dosen't do much. This is what brings me to thinking that TDIU might be the answer. I can't support my family without working or compensation. Sure, the 80% definitely helps, but bills still pile up, and it's not like I'm running around buying a ton of stuff. If I work, my head's a mess and I argue and fight with my wife. If I don't work it seems we're gonna go broke.

First off, I wanted to know, will this interview be like my past ones? Are they going to make me go through all of the stuff from before? Meaning same questions, comments, and all that good stuff? What should I make sure the doc understands about my case? Are there any major points that I need to make sure I get across to them?

Secondly, what do you, the fellow readers and veterans on here think my chances are? Do my percentages seem as if I am deserving of TDIU? I know it's a silly question, but I just want to know what others think? I can't help but feel odd getting disability, I'm not even 30 years old and in my mind it makes me feel weird. My counselor tells me not to be the least bit ashamed of getting benefits, that I have earned them, and to hold my head high. Maybe it's the depression that makes me feel this way, but I just hate feeling like this. I'm sorry to rant and get off track here, please give any tips or advice as you can, and thank you all for your support and advice. Most of all, thank you ones who have served and make our country great.

[Notorious Kelly]

Sapper,

OH yeah - TDIU is very related to what your doctors, specialists etc say on paper and also what C & P docs find in exam.

Make a concise list of all the service-related items that prevent you from working but, remember, the greatest weight is given to what medical professionals say about your inability to work.

All the best!

Edited July 28, 2010 by Tbird
Off Topic Content

[Sapper]

Thank you for your reply, I really appriciate it. I don't have any private doctors statements as I don't have health insurance due to not working full time. I attempted to get state assistance for health insurance, but since I "make too much now for it due to my increase" I guess I might just have to bite the bullet and pay out of pocket for one. Hopefully I don't have to take it that far, we'll have to see. I'll start compiling a list of all of the things that I believe affect my ability to work though, thank you again!

Sapper,

OH yeah - TDIU is very related to what your doctors, specialists etc say on paper and also what C & P docs find in exam.

Make a concise list of all the service-related items that prevent you from working but, remember, the greatest weight is given to what medical professionals say about your inability to work.

All the best!

[Guest terrysturgis]

My daughter asked her VA health care provider to write a letter as she has applied for TDIU. There was no charge for that letter. IMO's called Independant Medical Opinions are good evidence for your TDIU. Good luck. Terry

[john999]

Did you file out the official TDIU form from the VA and send it back to them? I never had a TDIU C&P exam. I got 70% and was unemployed, so I sent in my TDIU form and got a few IMO's to back it up. What can a TDIU exam determine?

If you are not able to work due to the SC condition that is crux of the matter. The exam cannot determine if you are unemployed.

[Sapper]

Yeah I filed everything that my VSO told me to, and I also sent in a statement from myself, and signed all of the med release docs and everything. My VSO told me I would probably have a C&P exam, you're saying this might not be true? He also told me I had to wait for my increase to 70% before I could file, and I know that was a load of bull, so he could be wrong. That's why I'm glad this website exists, because otherwise I would not know the difference.

Did you file out the official TDIU form from the VA and send it back to them? I never had a TDIU C&P exam. I got 70% and was unemployed, so I sent in my TDIU form and got a few IMO's to back it up. What can a TDIU exam determine?

If you are not able to work due to the SC condition that is crux of the matter. The exam cannot determine if you are unemployed.

[john999]

If you have medical evidence that you are unemployable and rated 80% I don't think you are going to need a C&P exam. You may get one anyway, but all you really need to show is that you are unemployable. If your doctors at the VA will state that they believe that you are unemployable due solely to your SC conditions this is enough evidence. I filed for TDIU when I was 30%. My effective date went back to the time I filed and not to the time I got 70%.