StreetWalker Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 (edited) A week ago Monday my TDIU reconsideration went to Prep for Decision. Yesterday it went to Pending Decision Approval. Called my VSO today and unofficially my TDIU has been granted with a effective date of 7-26-2012, which is my filing date. I'm also P&T according to my VSO. This is a great relief to my wife and I. We're moving to Texas the end of March and this means no property taxes among other things. The difference in my pay rate more than covers the new house payment. I will no longer have to pay over $400 a month for health care for my wife through FEHB. It's been a long battle. I was rated 20% for my lower back in 1980. Worked retail till 1992. Went to work for the USPS as a letter carrier on walking routes till July 23 2012. Along the way I picked up 10% for tinnitus. In 2011 my back was getting pretty bad. I filed and was awarded 70% total in July of 2012. I had a major flareup of my back in June of 2012 that I have still not recovered from. Took three weeks off work and went back to work in July of 2012. Worked three whole days and four partial day between the 9th and the 23. The morning of the 23rd I went to work. Within a hour I could not stand up straight and could hardly breath due to the pain in my lower back and legs. I left the Post Office never to return to work. Filed for OPM disability retirement, SSDI and TDIU. SSDI was granted in three weeks with no exams and solely based on my service connected lower back. TDIU was denied in January of 2013, OPM was granted in May of 2012. My journey is through the system is now complete. I may or may not appeal the denial of my OSA. There is a golden lining to the denial of my TDIU in January of 2012. Due to the denial I went to my non-VA doctor who noted that I had not had a PSA test in their system in over three years. I have had regular PSA tests since age 45 since my father died of the aggressive form of prostate cancer. It had been 16 months since I had had a PSA at the VA. My PSA had gone from a 2 to a 6 in 16 months. I had a biopsy in February 2012 and it was positive for cancer. Had a bone scan due to a worry that it may have metastasized. Bone scan was negative. I had my prostate removed May 14th 2012. The final pathology of the prostate was a Gleason score of 9. The cancer had spread to the seminal vesicles but the 19 lymph nodes taken were clean. Because the cancer had spread outside the capsule of the prostate and I had positive surgical margins it was recommended that I have 35 radiation treatments to clean up any remaining cancer. I started treatment in December and finished this last Monday. Only side effects from the radiation treatments has been some fatigue and my surgical scar itches. My recovery from the surgery has gone quite well. I have a very minor amount of stress leakage once in a great while. Due to the nature of the surgery I have lost the ability to have an erection. I'll trade that for my life. The cancer is not service connected and I was only 52 when diagnosed. I wish everyone luck with their claims and in life. My God bless each and every one of you. I'll still be around but may not be as active. Edited February 13, 2014 by StreetWalker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlie Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Street, Are you an RVN vet ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StreetWalker Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 Nope. I joined in 1978. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggie54 Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Congrats Jar Head ! Take Care, and may God Bless you and your family. You finally got what you deserve. Say Hello to my great state of Texas for me. Semper Fi Marine ...... Aggie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadIt.com Elder jbasser Posted February 14, 2014 HadIt.com Elder Share Posted February 14, 2014 Great news Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArNG11 Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Congrats. Fantabulous news Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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