90% P&t... Say What?

[Snake Eyes]

This may not be the correct forum for my question, but since the letter I got today mentions IU, I put it here:

The letter is a summary of benefits for use in applying for benefits at state and local level (parks, DMV, etc.). It provids claim info as well as military service info, then a series of questions under the heading VA Benefits info, including....

"Your combine service-connected evaluation is: 90 percent...
Are you entitled to a higher level of disability due to being unemployable: NO...

Are you considered to be totally and permanently disabled due to your service-connected disabilities: YES"

How is that possible? Either you're P&T or you are not. I always thought P&T was a modifier for 100%

The next question for me would be, can this help with an SSDI claim? A VA psych counselor told me that having a 70% service-connection for GAD (along with all the symptoms the BVA examiner listed) would "almost mean an automatic approval" of an SSDI claim. She was pretty emphatic in insisting I should not be working, and gave me that info in making her point.

[Ebs050]

Strange, sounds like IU p&t. Was this a decision letter via snail mail. if so did it say anything about chap 35 benefits or ChampVA ?

[Snake Eyes]

Nothing about Chapter 35. It indeed was a mistake according to the VA phone rep -- they've since sent a corrected copy. Wish they had made a different mistake though :-)

[MPsgt]

P&T means permanent and TOTALLY disabled. To be totally disabled means 100% either via TDIU or Schedular. If you are 90% and have one rating of at least 40% you should be able to get TDIU. You may need an IMO/IME. I had 70% and SSDI and was denied TDIU. I appealed it and got TDIU P&T via the IME route. If you can't work due to SC then you should get TDIU.

john999, I too had 70% PTSD, 30% Migraines, and 10% Tinnitus with a combined rating at 80%, SSDI and medicare benefits. I subsequently lost my job with the government and received federal disability retirement too. I received both SSDI and federal retirement disability because of the severity of my PTSD. I'm currently waiting for BVA to decide my appeal for approximately 10 months now. I can't get my VA Psychologist to provide a IME. What would you recommended to get an IME?

[Berta]

" I received both SSDI and federal retirement disability because of the severity of my PTSD."

If you mean SSDI and FERS disability is solely for your PTSD, I cant understand why the RO denied you......

unless they didnt have that information when they denied.

Make sure the BVA has it.


Dr Brett Vallete did a show here with Dr. Bash and John Dorley on June 11, 2014 ..he does PTSD IMEs/IMOs for increased ratings and TDIU claims.

I cannot find the show in our archives,....

Then again if the SSDI is solely for your SC PTSD, that is ,in essense, an IMO from SSA and VA must consider it..

[Snake Eyes]

I believe Dr. Bash can do IMEs for vets who have mental health ratings already (he wouldn't diagnose PTSD, but can address unemployability). He can speak for himself, of course... I'm just pointing out that once diagnosed by the VA (and rated), a VA doc doesn't have to be the one to write the IME.