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.

[Pete53]

The VA makes it very hard for Veterans to get a fair rating but you already have 70% for PTSD. All you really need is proof that you are not working and fill out the forms you should have enough. If you want boiler plate you could get a Doc to write that you are unemployable due to your 70% PTSD.

Good Luck

I know that may here including my self are looking for the VA to screw us. I truly believe that the VA is now much more willing to rate Veterans correctly.

[Sapper]

I know exactly what you mean about them seeming better lately. I have heard some horror stories from the past from my Stepfather, and it seems like they haven't treated me too horribly compared to him. They're still not great, but I guess it can always be worse.

I called the VA's 800 number today to check on the status of the claim. They informed me that my...jerk...of a security company that I used to work a very small amount of part time for and then was fired, isn't sending them the information they need. I can't deal with these guys at this company anymore, if I even see any of them I'm sure I'd probably end up in jail. Hopefully they comply, but I'm sure they're looking to screw me over even more than the VA. Oh the fun...

The VA makes it very hard for Veterans to get a fair rating but you already have 70% for PTSD. All you really need is proof that you are not working and fill out the forms you should have enough. If you want boiler plate you could get a Doc to write that you are unemployable due to your 70% PTSD.

Good Luck

I know that may here including my self are looking for the VA to screw us. I truly believe that the VA is now much more willing to rate Veterans correctly.

[Pete53]

If you can't get them to respond make a narrative swear to it and ask for VA to rate with info they got. The VA can hold up a claim for years if you don't get on top of this. Many companies will not respond to these types of requests.

[LarryJ]

What Pete said.

First, fill out a VA form 21-4138 Statement In Support of Claim, and simply explain that the company that you once worked for and you do not get along, that's why you ONCE worked for them and CANNOT any longer, and that, in and of itself is ONE of the reasons that you have filed for TDIU! Tell them that you do not think that they will EVER hear anything back from this company. Sign and date this statement in support of claim and FAX it to the VA Regional Office (your veterans service officer can do this while you give him a cup of coffee (from Starbucks, preferably, trust me on this.)).

By-the-way, you won't get called in for a C&P. If you do, let me know, because then I'd be lyin', and I hate it when I do that!

You just hang in there, I know it is hard to do, but, I DO KNOW what you are going through, and, it will soon be worth all that you have had to put up with (well, it's NEVER worth what any of us have gone through, but, you know what I mean.......)!

[Sapper]

Thank you for the great advice. I am filling out the form right now, and I will e-mail it to my VSO right away and advise him to fax it down to the VA for me. Thank you for the help with the wording of this statement!

What Pete said.

First, fill out a VA form 21-4138 Statement In Support of Claim, and simply explain that the company that you once worked for and you do not get along, that's why you ONCE worked for them and CANNOT any longer, and that, in and of itself is ONE of the reasons that you have filed for TDIU! Tell them that you do not think that they will EVER hear anything back from this company. Sign and date this statement in support of claim and FAX it to the VA Regional Office (your veterans service officer can do this while you give him a cup of coffee (from Starbucks, preferably, trust me on this.)).

By-the-way, you won't get called in for a C&P. If you do, let me know, because then I'd be lyin', and I hate it when I do that!

You just hang in there, I know it is hard to do, but, I DO KNOW what you are going through, and, it will soon be worth all that you have had to put up with (well, it's NEVER worth what any of us have gone through, but, you know what I mean.......)!

[Sapper]

Just called the 800 Number to check on my claim. Even though I sent a sworn statement telling them to forget about the one employer being jerks, they're still waiting on the form from them. Also, they are going to schedule "An Exam" for me. I don't know if this will be a C&P or not, but I sure am sick of going there and feeling humiliated by their docs. Just keeping you updated. Thanks again

Thank you for the great advice. I am filling out the form right now, and I will e-mail it to my VSO right away and advise him to fax it down to the VA for me. Thank you for the help with the wording of this statement!

Just called the 800 Number to check on my claim. Even though I sent a sworn statement telling them to forget about the one employer being jerks, they're still waiting on the form from them. Also, they are going to schedule "An Exam" for me. I don't know if this will be a C&P or not, but I sure am sick of going there and feeling humiliated by their docs. Just keeping you updated. Thanks again

What Pete said.

First, fill out a VA form 21-4138 Statement In Support of Claim, and simply explain that the company that you once worked for and you do not get along, that's why you ONCE worked for them and CANNOT any longer, and that, in and of itself is ONE of the reasons that you have filed for TDIU! Tell them that you do not think that they will EVER hear anything back from this company. Sign and date this statement in support of claim and FAX it to the VA Regional Office (your veterans service officer can do this while you give him a cup of coffee (from Starbucks, preferably, trust me on this.)).

By-the-way, you won't get called in for a C&P. If you do, let me know, because then I'd be lyin', and I hate it when I do that!

You just hang in there, I know it is hard to do, but, I DO KNOW what you are going through, and, it will soon be worth all that you have had to put up with (well, it's NEVER worth what any of us have gone through, but, you know what I mean.......)!