tinnitus Thinking I'm Gonna Ask My Doc To Put Me Out Of Work Tomorow.

[sawgunner]

Ok.

I work as a police officer.

The other day I had an incident at work where I had a melt down in public, in front of the Chief.

A bunch of stuff that was not my fault led up to it and the Chief does not seem to blame me but other on the department do. Now, I don't really care to get into that right now except to say that I had to work 2 extra shifts and had to provide traffic control for several hours on my days off and the pain along with all the other crap just got to me. if I we're not in pain and on alot of meds, I may have been able to handel it differently.

I have never had any dealing with Social Security.

Let me tell you all my issues and then let me know what you think my chances are.

First off....

I'm 33 years old, soon to be 34.

I have the following.

DDD of the lumber spine. (service connected)

DDD ceverical spine. (service connected)

GERD. (service connected)

Snapping Hip Syndrome. (service connected)

Incomplete paralysis/reduced refelxes, arms & legs. (service connected)

8 total ratings of 10% each for a total of 60%.

I am also diagnosed with the following which are being heard by VA now, or soon will be.

Chronic Pain Syndrome with depression.

Insomina caused by Anxiety. ( gonna try to get the doc to link all that to the chronic pain claim)

Mild hearing loss.

Tinnitus.

Neuralgia/Tingling in my hands and fingers and my legs fall asleep.

E.D.

I am diagnosed with...

Mild positional Sleep Apnea. (Not sure if I can claim that with VA)

I am pretty sure I will soon be or can diagnosed with the following.

IBS.

Arthritis. (left wrist and shoulder)

The pain from my hip and back, along with my insomina and all other conditions are making it hard to work. i don't do well witht he public anymore and work night shifts, alone... By choice.

I have not been on the road now for several years and bassicaly have a light duty type of jjob that alot of retired cops do part time.

Based on my age....

What are my chances of getting social security at this point?

And from there... If I can get my chronic pain claim rating fairly... to the 60% or above level, what are my chances of 100% IU?

I seriousley doubt that I can last another year at my job and if I lose it, I"ll also lose my retirement and long term disability insurance.

That's another matter.. The long term disability insurance at work.

Ok guys..

What are my chances???

I"m at my witts end at this point.

Also....

When I file for SSD, do i file on everything I am diagnosed with or just pick the most serious conditon.

I dont know much about SSD and this is some scary sh**.

How much will my 60% rating help with SSD?

I know I"m rambeling but I'm kinda freaked out.

Edited June 26, 2011 by sawgunner

[Notorious Kelly]

Gunner,

Sorry to hear of the stress at work but glad you're considering getting out of that position.

SSDI is tougher at "younger" ages, but still doable.

For SSDI you claim everything at once, for VA you just claim the service-related stuff and maybe TDIU if you can get it.

____________________________________________________

What I think re: SSDI (others may have different info)

SSDI- trick is, if you're making over $900 a month when you file, you'll be automatically denied. So you have to exist for possibly years waiting for SSDI without Substantial Gainful Income (SGI).

Good research for both is here: Fanatic Books site

Good luck and never hesitate to ramble, vent or ask questions.

We appreciate your service!

[JR Reihs]

Just my 02.........You need a IMO,before you take the leap. You will need to get this IMO from a Ortho doctor or a specialist in the field. Taking the leap from your current job is a big deal and you must have all your ducks in a row.

SSDI is not a fun fight to be in, but the best way to start the process is to get a complete copy of ALL medical records and submit to SS at one time.You will also use these records if needed to your Long term disability carrier. Age is not supposed to be a factor in SSDI cases but I suspect different, so you MUST have all the medical you can get BEFORE you start this process.

As far as your other pending VA claims......the chronic depression claim, jumps out, as does the tinnitus /ED claim......these may be easier to get SC'd, but you need all conditions claimed to be rated before you do anything, and you can help this along with a IMO.

If you feel that your other ratings have been low-balled, then an IMO will help you get on the right track also.

It all boils down to Medical evidence, without it you are just spinning your wheel's.

Don't be freaked out by everything, this all happens in steps, just start doing some research on your long term disability plan and see what you will need to apply to have some fiat coming in until you get the SSDI and VA claims finalized.........it could take a while for them, so until then you will be living on the LTDI and your VA 60%.

[cooter]

First of all, your going to need all the marbles you got to see this thru. So try not letting your anxiety get in your way. The way I see it, your 60% and under the guidelines you'll need 70% to qualify for TDIU. Looking at the claims you have pending could very well put you in the game for it, even if you only get 10 or 20% out of it. I would also start the paperwork going for SSDI just to get your EED started. Others will chime in if I'm incorrect on this part. Looking at the your total rating's, 8 @ 10% each, you were low-balled on a couple of them. especially your back! And yes, I would definitely change your insomnia caused by anxiety to "caused by chronic pain" due to your not SC nor have a claim in for anxiety. Although chronic pain and depression can cause anxiety.

[sawgunner]

Thanks to each of you so far.

I hope to hear from more members here today and tonight, as I will be seeing my regular doc in the AM.

Cooter.

What did you mean by EED?

I know I should know that but I am soooooooo tired right now. I've not slept since yesterday and I'm running on fumes, but I can't sleep. Waiting to take my sleep meds cause I'd rather fall asleep a little later and stay out for the night.. Even though I work tomorrow night.

Also.....

My shrink is a super good doc and I think he will link the insomnia and anxiety to the chronic pain. He already mentioned sleep and momeroy and concertration in a nexus letter for the Chronic Pain claim. It was the sleep doc who stated that it was an (anxiety based insomnia). I thought my condition at that time was sleep apnea alone.

Anyway... I just got to many damn things wrong with me. All chronic. I take several RX drugs each day and I"m sure I"ll be taking something new for IBS. My bowls have been messed up for atleast the past year and I have tired over the counter meds. My doc told me if the last round of stuff she recomended didn't work, that she'd be sending me to a G.I. specialist.

I honestley should have gotten out sooner.

[john999]

I think you will need one separate rating of at least 40% unless you get 100% schedular combined. That is hard to do.

[Philip Rogers]

EED here generally means earlier effective date. Any chance you have PTSD?? Any war service? How about severe accidents, things of that sort?? Just a thought.

pr