ptsd Filling Out The Tdiu Form

[hedgey]

Okay, so I have the form printed out and I'm sitting here staring at it. Actually, I printed it out last week, and it's been here on my desk ever since. The bitter irony is that (as I've said before, probably) the symptoms that keep me from working also interfere with my getting forms done and applications submitted.

So what do I put for the day I became too disabled to work? Would that be the same day I stopped working way back when? I submitted a resignation stating that I was quitting for family reasons, but there was no way in heck I was going to tell those people the truth.

And how do I figure the amount of time lost from my illness? I stopped 12 years ago, I don't remember how much time I took off except that I took more leave than I earned and was on LWOP status frequently. I don't have any records that would prove that it was the illness that stopped me from working back then. My supervisor took pity on me and gave me good appraisals (that didn't help the attitude of my co-workers, but I don't blame them).

And how, exactly, do they expect me to put all my doctor's appointments into those little spaces?

My shrinks are all VA, so can I just put VA as the doctors, or do they want all the different names of all the different doctors?

Thanks for any help.

Edited to add: Oh, and I don't know for sure if the VA has service-connected my PTSD at all or not. Do I list that as my SC reason for not working? It's definitely the main cause of my not working... though my physical problems don't help...

Edited August 2, 2010 by hedgey

[LarryJ]

Okay, so I have the form printed out and I'm sitting here staring at it. Actually, I printed it out last week, and it's been here on my desk ever since. The bitter irony is that (as I've said before, probably) the symptoms that keep me from working also interfere with my getting forms done and applications submitted.

So what do I put for the day I became too disabled to work? Would that be the same day I stopped working way back when? I submitted a resignation stating that I was quitting for family reasons, but there was no way in heck I was going to tell those people the truth.

And how do I figure the amount of time lost from my illness? I stopped 12 years ago, I don't remember how much time I took off except that I took more leave than I earned and was on LWOP status frequently. I don't have any records that would prove that it was the illness that stopped me from working back then. My supervisor took pity on me and gave me good appraisals (that didn't help the attitude of my co-workers, but I don't blame them).

And how, exactly, do they expect me to put all my doctor's appointments into those little spaces?

My shrinks are all VA, so can I just put VA as the doctors, or do they want all the different names of all the different doctors?

Thanks for any help.

Edited to add: Oh, and I don't know for sure if the VA has service-connected my PTSD at all or not. Do I list that as my SC reason for not working? It's definitely the main cause of my not working... though my physical problems don't help...

Hedgey, have you ASKED any of your psychs if they would just enter into your Progress Notes the fact that you are not working due to service connected reasons, haven't been able to work for years and couldn't go back to work and that they do not expect your employement picture to ever change.

That's it. Simple as pie.

Oh, please, no need to applaud, why, I do this all the time............standing on my head, it's so easy................. !

[hedgey]

Hedgey, have you ASKED any of your psychs if they would just enter into your Progress Notes the fact that you are not working due to service connected reasons, haven't been able to work for years and couldn't go back to work and that they do not expect your employement picture to ever change.

That's it. Simple as pie.

Oh, please, no need to applaud, why, I do this all the time............standing on my head, it's so easy................. !

Y'know, I haven't done that. I guess I'm so afraid to ask for anything that could help me, it keeps my mouth frozen shut. I do have the letter from VocRehab that said that my claim was being halted because I couldn't do school right now, but that's all.

I'll ask my therapist tomorrow. He might actually be okay with doing that for me. If he's not, I'll know exactly what I'm dealing with. I sometimes forget and think that the VA therapist is actually on my side.... silly hedgey!

[LarryJ]

I'lll be curious as to what they say?

I did as I suggested that you do (never ask someone else to do something you wouldn't do). My VA psychiatrist not only did what I'd hope yours does, but, when I got back a denial, after he entered all of that stuff in my Progress Notes, the fact that I couldn't work and never would be able to work, anyway, when I got back the denial for TDIU P&T, my VA psych actually got on the phone, after he read what they based my denial on, and called the VARO and got the supervisor on the 'phone and asked her when did her employees, one in particular, begin actually practicing medicine and making diagnosis.

Two weeks later, the money was in the bank.

So, there are some VA folks that will go to bat for you, and, bless them all, they do try!

[hedgey]

I did ask my therapist to enter that information. He seemed to be okay with it, but I won't know until later. He's fairly new to the VA system as a provider, though he's a vet and seems to understand PTSD. One good thing: I went to a private doctor and got an IMO for my feet. He was so struck by my anxiety level that he included a statement that I am unable to work due to pain and anxiety. He's not a psychiatrist, he's an occupational medicine specialist. Even so, I think his statement will help me - it can't hurt.

Now I'm stuck with the questions on the form. How do I fit all the dates I went to the VA doctors in the tiny space on the form? My supposed VSO isn't much help in anything, so I have no one locally to ask.

What date do I say I became disabled? The last day that I worked?

I've been seeing VA doctors and therapists for the past two years. Do I need to put down all the appointments, or can I put from 08/09 - present?

I keep putting the form away and don't want to look at it, but I know I have to get it done...

Should I send a copy of that doctor's report with this form? Should I send a copy of the letter from Voc Rehab that says I can't handle school right now?

Damn, it's only one little form, and I feel completely overwhelmed!!

[sharon]

One step at a time. Fill out the form and worry about the evidence later. If you are seeing doctors at the VAMC just lis the facilty. The will print out the notes. You will have a period of time alloted for evidence once the form is sent in.

[hedgey]

Sharon, thanks. One step at a time, good advice.

I'm trying to breathe and stay calm. Sometimes it works!

Do I use my last day of work as my date I became disabled? My PTSD definitely was a factor in my leaving a good-paying job with great benefits, although I didn't put anything about it into my resignation letter. I was doing all I could to suppress my problems and just not managing very well...