tdiu Need Advice On Getting 100%

[jrodusmc523]

Hello everyone, this website has helped me so much in learning about how to file claims and what I am entitled to. I need help in finding out how to go about getting 100%

I am currently service connected for the following

50% Major Depressive Disorder

20% Lower Lumbar Strain/herniated disc

10% Right Ankle Strain

10% Shoulder Strain

10% Knee Strain

0% Sciatica

Total Service connection is rated at 70%.

I have also been diagnosed with Arthritis in my neck, backa, and ankle; have Sacroiliitis on my left side of my lower back, and have developed a strong chornic pain in my neck/cervical area, (all by the VA, but don't have a claim for it yet.)

I would like to start a claim to increase/or add the disabilities up top as secondary to my service connected disabilities. I have spent thousands of dollars hoping that my back pain would go away. I have had multiple injections, months of physical therapy, medication, ice pads, heating pads, you name it, I did it. It has been over 4 years now that I have my back pain and it is worse than when I first had it.

The VA gave me an injection in my back in December 2010 for the sacroiliitis, that was the 2nd one by the way. I called the doctor a week after getting the shot and told her that I do not feel any better and that I am still in a lot of pain. She said, "Well I don't know what to do next, call me in a month to see how you are feeling." Like how am I supposed to deal with that?? My doctor telling me that she doesn't know what to do next??

My wife gave birth to our daughter 5 months ago and I can only hold her for about 2 minutes before I start to develop a sharp pain in my lower back. I had to go to the emergency room last week because I couldn't take it, I was curled up in the fetal position crying because of the pain.

I have gained so much weight because it is hard to keep fit when you can't do exercises. I cannot do the things that I used to do, no roller coasters, no rides, running, wrestling, baseball, no activities that involve physical activity. I tried to shovel the snow this winter and couldn't. I get so depressed just thinking about not being able to do things and the fact that I can only hold my daughter for minutes at a time. It sucks.

I call out of work at least one a week because of the amount of pain that I am in. I have been trying to get an appointment to see the doctor at the VA again and I can never get through to her. I have a case manager that helps me make appointments and even she can't get through to her. I sit at a desk all day and it is the worst, I have to get up every 20 mins or so to stretch and ease the tension on my back and neck.

I really don't know what to do anymore, I feel like I am just stuck and need to get better.

Does anyone have any advice as to how I can go about getting an increase and possibly TDIU??

Thanks

Edited May 3, 2011 by jrodusmc523

[stillhere]

John, I agree with you in part. You do have to be out of work to get IU but he of course could file and try and work until the VA looks at it. But again you are right it is almost unheard of to get IU while working.

My suggestion to the poster because he is so young and has new family that you contact the VA and tell them you need help. Maybe re-hab and or education would be your route to help.

The part about weight gain is secondary to all this a lot of folks think because they can not exercise that they are going to gain weight. This while true in a sense is not totally true. Watching what you eat and calorie in take will help tremendously. I know because it is working for me and has worked for many. I have seen and talked to many vets in wheel chairs and are limited physical and they still are not coming obese.

the worst part is the mind and the depression that is causing a lot here!

Good luck to you and stay strong!