ptsd Ssdi Exam Because Va Dropped The Ball Again

[Mooshi]

I am a bit scared as I write this. I am currently at 30% for PTSD thru the VA and 100% for SSDI via the Social Security Administration. To make a long story short, I fought for over two years and had an attorney to finally win my SSDI. The VA is still giving me the run around but they screwed me big time. The Social Security Administration requested three times from the VA for my C file and the VA blew them off. I have physical copies of my C file which is almost 400 pages and also have it as a PDF file. I got a letter from the Department of Assistive and Rehabiliative Services Division for Disability Determination Services who are part of the SSA. I called my case worker for the Department of Assistive and Rehabiliative Services Division and asked if it was ok to mail my C files to them and they said sure. I still have to go to this exam now. So much for trying to be helpful. Since VA blew them off and now I have to go to a mandatory exam for PTSD, I am scared I can lose my benefits. I paid my lawyer 20% of my back pay to win the SSDI and if I get screwed now because the VA blew them off I am going to be pretty upset. My depression and anxiety along with my PTSD have gotten worse and I even have a court order that says I cannot work since my PTSD is so bad.

What do I do? I have bounced from home to home and can’t get along with anyone. I am scared. I just want to be left alone. I don’t think a 400 page C file should be blown off. Should I take all this stuff and my meds to the PTSD exam for my SSDI? I am pretty upset with the VA. I have several things wrong with me. I have PTSD, Sleep Apnea, Obstructive Airway Disease, and Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease and the VA is only giving me 30% just for the PTSD. The VA gave me a CPAP machine but claim my Sleep Apnea is not service related. I REALLY need help! Anyone?

[Chuck75]

Dealing with the government is scary for anyone!

To me, the most important thing is make sure that you have evidence of continuing treatment for those problems that make you unemployable, and that that evidence is part of your record. Did SSA send a letter request for additional info, or just a notice of a pending exam?.

It might be a very good idea to have a copy of the latest treatment records, etc. when you go to the exam. I've never heard of a court order making you unemployable, although that is interesting. What kind of court made the ruling or order? (local, state, federal?)

I am a bit scared as I write this. I am currently at 30% for PTSD thru the VA and 100% for SSDI via the Social Security Administration. To make a long story short, I fought for over two years and had an attorney to finally win my SSDI. The VA is still giving me the run around but they screwed me big time. The Social Security Administration requested three times from the VA for my C file and the VA blew them off. I have physical copies of my C file which is almost 400 pages and also have it as a PDF file. I got a letter from the Department of Assistive and Rehabiliative Services Division for Disability Determination Services who are part of the SSA. I called my case worker for the Department of Assistive and Rehabiliative Services Division and asked if it was ok to mail my C files to them and they said sure. I still have to go to this exam now. So much for trying to be helpful. Since VA blew them off and now I have to go to a mandatory exam for PTSD, I am scared I can lose my benefits. I paid my lawyer 20% of my back pay to win the SSDI and if I get screwed now because the VA blew them off I am going to be pretty upset. My depression and anxiety along with my PTSD have gotten worse and I even have a court order that says I cannot work since my PTSD is so bad.

What do I do? I have bounced from home to home and can’t get along with anyone. I am scared. I just want to be left alone. I don’t think a 400 page C file should be blown off. Should I take all this stuff and my meds to the PTSD exam for my SSDI? I am pretty upset with the VA. I have several things wrong with me. I have PTSD, Sleep Apnea, Obstructive Airway Disease, and Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease and the VA is only giving me 30% just for the PTSD. The VA gave me a CPAP machine but claim my Sleep Apnea is not service related. I REALLY need help! Anyone?

[Bonzai]

It seems like you are caught in the Continuing Disability Review (CDR) cycle, where they review cases every so often - just like the VA does their reexaminations. They seem to be doing more of these recently.

On the good side of this, is the fact that Social Security has to prove you are no longer disabled, as you have already proved that you are; hence your earlier award of disability.

Do not miss your examination, as they will discontinue your disability and you will have a bigger mess to deal with.

[Chuck75]

I'd agree that the VA PTSD 30% rating is low. First things first, though is to deal with the SSA exam.

As soon as that is dealt with - - -, It's possible that recent PTSD related class action may have an impact on the 30% rating.

It sounds like advice, etc. from a VA case qualified lawyer may be the next step.

First off you are low balled on your PTSD with the VA.. Have you ever put in for a increase or new claim?

[free_spirit_etc]

It seems like you are caught in the Continuing Disability Review (CDR) cycle, where they review cases every so often - just like the VA does their reexaminations. They seem to be doing more of these recently.

On the good side of this, is the fact that Social Security has to prove you are no longer disabled, as you have already proved that you are; hence your earlier award of disability.

Do not miss your examination, as they will discontinue your disability and you will have a bigger mess to deal with.

And if it is a review - they probably would not need your entire C-file. They would most likely be looking for records of treatment that has occurred since you were awarded benefits.

So you might want to clarify exactly what files they need before sending your entire C-file. Or better yet - ask your attorney to clarify it.

In my son's case - they sent him a bunch of papers to fill out about his current level of functioning, and sent him to an exam. Once he went to the exam, he was approved for continuing benefits - before we even sent the other paperwork in.