tdiu Voc Rehab "limbo" -- No Straight Answer

[Snake Eyes]

Had a nice visit with the Voc Rehab counselor today for orientation. He took all my transcripts, resume, forms and results from my assessment and asked tons of probing questions. All that is what I expected as the VA needs to do its due dilligence for this kind of program.

What I did not expect was to be confronted with two options.... 1). Withdraw from Voc Rehab voluntarily based on "multiple concerns about my employability" with the promise that I could re-apply within a year if my SSDI and TDIU claims are denied... or 2) Continue making the 200 mile round-trip to his office for several months until he could make a final determination that I'm "unemployable".

He was clear that that was the likely outcome based on the interview and his review of my VA records. Unfortunately, he couldn't state clearly one way or the other whether Voc Rehab was feasable or not. He did say that his report would show that there are multiple concerns about my unemployability. He won't be able to file his report for several months (after the TDIU and SSDI claims have had time to resolve.

So now... it looks like I'm in some kind of "Limbo" -- not qualitied enough to continue with a meaningful hope of success and not enough of a history in the VA system to make a clear determination of unemployability.

I don't do well with ambiguity and gray areas. You should either be trainable or not.

Has anyone else had a situation like this (being told you're not likely to be deemed "employable" if continuing the program but cannot say that yet)?

[8up4life]

"I cant give you a specific denial" That statement implies, I

[8up4life]

"I cant give you a specific denial" That statement implies, I want to deny you, but I need a good reason.

[Snake Eyes]

UPDATE: I got the 30 day letter saying he was going to remove me from the program and then the final letter saying I was removed from the program (but it did not say I was withdrawing).

More specifically, it said my enrollment was "discontinued" due to "medical conditions" that would prevent me from completing the program at this time. Not a denial but not an acceptance either. I sent a follow-up email to him asking for a copy of his report and an explanation of what "discontinued due to medical conditions" meant and whether this constituted a denial. No answer.

Tried to call him today and got a voice mail saying he'd be out of the office until October 16th.

Is there a QUICK way to get a Voc Rehab report online without having to go through all the hoops? I don't see it on eBennies.

[Pete53]

You cAN APPEAL THIS SHOULD DO IN LESS THAN 30 DAYS

[Snake Eyes]

Hi Pete,

Thanks for the warning to appeal within 30 days. Unfortunately, I passed that deadline -- but the good news is I'm still entitled to Voc Rehab IF I can prove I've overcome the disabilities Voc Rehab is designed to help me overcome .
The Voc Rehab counselor came back from leave and sent me a copy of his final report. It was worded exactly as you would expect if it was a denial but the "Feasability" section was marked "Uncertain" and the entitlement remains. Dr. Bash said we should include the counselor's report wording in his IME letter in support of the TDIU request as the counselor clearly justified a "Severe Employment Handicap" citing two of my service connected disabilities as "severe" -- and then listed the other three (10% each) as "Severe to moderate per veteran". What actually was said was the knees and ankle were moderate and the back pain was severe.

Nevertheless, a discontinued due to inability to complete the program because of SC disabilities has the magic words Dr. Bash needed for his letter and that I need for any future appeal.

[rosypalm]

Hang in there!