Re-Applied For Vocrehab

[yelloownumber5]

I have some questions as I have re-applied for Vocational Rehab.

How does the counselor look at your service conditions? Do they also look at your ratings for it, example I have bi-lateral carpal tunnel but never applied for an increase but it does impair my work and daily living. As well have Lumbar issues SC'd, Cervical spine issues. When working my doctor signed off on the FMLA for not lifting over five pounds.

I did Information Systems work and Administration while on active duty. I was in VocRehab back in 2007 but because of finances I was unable to quit working for school but now I am at 50% SC. In 2007 my counsler took control of the whole education portion and I did not seen to have an input; she tailored not I had me going for computer field and had me researching some about computer networking and the education portion of the plan. This is as far as I did get.

I'm just curious of how they look at your conditions, oh also does non SC conditions play a role?

Edited September 25, 2011 by yelloownumber5

[Pete53]

What they look at first is can they train you to get a job and second they look at your conditions as they affect being able to work. They also do a lot of mumbo jumbo you have to keep after what you want.

[Berta]

If a vet is unemployed and tries for Voc Rehab and then Voc Rehab documents that their SC disabilities would prevent them

from finding Voc Rehab as feasible, this is excellent evidence for TDIU.

I dont know how NSC conditions would come into play.Voc Rehab's focus is solely on the SCs.

If a vet is "unvocrehabable" due to SC (I made that word up)- then they are unemployable. And probably should get a P & T status with their TDIU award.

[yelloownumber5]

Yes, I'm currently unemployed and was out due to lumbar herniated discs.

I am service connected for "lumbar strain". I get very confused with the lumbar strain vs. lumbar DDD issues.

My original lumbar portion of my VA claim was for sciatica and lumbar DDD.

This was in 2003, the VA changed my claim to and granted 20% for lumbar strain.

I do remember the C&P giving me a straight leg test which he said was negative, although on active duty I was dx'd with Sciatica only by the PCM (not sure if it should have been a specialist). I never had Lumbar MRI's on active duty, about 3 years after service I had a lumbar MRI and it showed multiple buldging disc...and enrolled in the VA pain clinic received a TENS and some meds.

So, I'm not sure if my disc would fall under my service connection. I've wanted to re-open my original claim or something for my sciatica and lumbar DDD, but I'm not sure how that would go. If my doctor said on active duty I have sciatica and I'v been treated for it, why wouldn't I have at least received the zero%