ptsd 90% & Tdiu

[MA4136]

I am rated 90% for PTSD and a couple other service connected disabilities and have followed so many informative blogs on here for years. I now have a question. I applied for TDIU in August 2012, and have not been employed since a few months before that. I just now (literally in the last 10 mins!) checked eBenefits and my A8 letter now shows 90% still as my combined evaluation, but with a new gross benefit amount paid at the 100% rate. (3,213.49) The effective date says effective December 1, 2013.

My question is, wouldn’t the effective date be August 2012, when I applied? And is the eBenefits award letter just showing an effective date having nothing to do with my actual effective date of August 2012? I know I can wait on the actual paperwork from the VA to explain everything further, but my curiosity is killing me, to know if it will be the August 2012 date. Thanks to all of you for your advice, guidance, and enormous help to veterans reaching out to each other for answers!!

[Shyne-I]

Congratulations MA!!!

Shyne-I

[john999]

If you are 90% and the VA denied TDIU then they must have some evidence to show that your inability to work is not due solely to your SC conditions. The VA may be grasping at straws, but what was the exact reason your were denied TDIU? I was denied TDIU once and the reason was that even though I had SSDI the VA maintained I was not totally disabled solely due to SC reason. This was false, but I had to appeal it using an IME to knock down the VA's denial logic.

John

[MA4136]

thomasc - Unfortunately, I had to enter an in-patient status at a VA hospital for alcohol abuse and suicidal thoughts. This may have been a deciding factor in finalizing my TDIU request and definitely expedited it... I think so anyhow.

Keep fighting the fight - you're at 90%, so I am hoping you receive your TDIU sooner rather than later.

[meghp0405]

if your rating decision doesn't say that "no future exams will be scheduled" I seriously doubt that you have been rated permanent and total. Many times, especially here recently, the va has been reluctant to award any type of a mental health condition P/T. There are many that do have a P/T rating, so it's not impossible. I would call or see your vso and have him/her confirm that for you.

Also, the va will enclose a document concerning educational benefits for your spouse and children. If that document is there, your P/T. I would definitely investigate before doing anything.

Good luck!!

[MA4136]

I don't think it's rated as P&T since it did not have the document concerning education benefits or the statement "no future exams will be scheduled." But at this point, and after all these years of fighting, I'm not contacting my VSO (who still hasn't returned my inquiry call from weeks ago, before I received my rating decision), or anyone else from the VA. I want to fall off the map now.

I have a friend that is rated 100% with "future exams scheduled", so at least mine doesn't say that. I will make all my scheduled appts. and they will not hear from me any further....for anything!

[john999]

If your rating says "entitlement to Chapter 35 benefits" you are P&T.